Raising kids. No more Cleavers. No more innocence. How do we keep kids on the track to survive this mess?

Question

Society, Environment, Safety, Moral character, where has it gone?

Answer 1

The only thing that you can do is Not to fret over the other things that you have mentioned, It is your job to show and teach your children how to live . Showing them how parents live and react to different situations teaches a child more then anything else in the world can.

Answer 2

I kinda disagree with being to "rule heavy" I think we must pick what is very important to us and not bend at all on those issues. (no drugs, no smoking, no skipping school, keep grades up, respect for others, choosing good friends etc.) but other things like clothes, haircuts, messy rooms, what they watch, etc maybe we can bend the rules once in a while. I think having good communication at all times, and remembering how hard it was being a kid or teen is important to remember. I also think letting kids make mistakes is very important, AND letting them come up with solutions to those mistakes on their own, (giving advice is okay!) is extremely important. I see so many parents "bailing" their kids out of trouble to often, starting in elemetary school. They have to learn to handle things, problem solve. Our society has changed and our parenting styles must with it. We can not shelter our kids from everything, but WE MUST talk to them about everything! We do not live in our parents world, we have to adapt to changes. Our children are dealing with issues we never even thought about. And maybe, the way our parents raised us is NOT going to work as well for us.

Answer 3

One of the most common forms of child neglect that I see is when parents don't teach their kids about rules. Parents set rules for their children's safety, moral development, etc. and it seems that some parents are afraid to enforce these rules. They are afraid to discipline (aka teach... think "disciple") their children.

We adult have rules, and if we are caught breaking those "rules" we have fines, have to appear in court, sometimes even "time-out" (jail or prison). Teaching children to respect and obey rules is vital to having a law-abiding adult population.

I guess it needs to be communicated to our kids almost as a variation of one of the laws of physics- for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction- disobedience and consequences, crime and punishment...

Another thought--
I wonder if child abuse laws and their proponents have gone over the line and robbed parents of the ability to do what is necesary to teach their children?
I know a woman who had to call the police about her teen-aged son. As they were taking him away, one officer told the mother that someone should have taken the boy over their knee. The mother responded that if she had, the officer would have arrested her.... The officer didn't have a response.
I think that corporal punishment has it's place in the "toolbox" of teaching methods available to parents... right next to time-out, lectures, chores, groundings, etc.

Answer 4

Talk to them. Know what they are interested in, and who they are with. Teach them by setting an example, they will emulate what they see in the home. It is up to parents to keep their children on the right track, it is a tough job, but a parent owes it to their child.

Answer 5

Stick to your rules in the home and every where you go. Let them see you living it. Above all go to a good God fearing church that can sometimes help when things get rough, and it will. I have never seen so many children that are so disrespectful, as in the days we are living in now. They disrespect the home, the parents, themselves, and their friends. The ends of time are nearing and we should let them no that to get prepared. Stay strong, and God bless.

Answer 6

Society has definitly gone corrupt,my 14 yr old was headed down this path and when all seemed like i was losing her,we started going to church together,for us this brought us closer,turned her rebellion into understanding.Some say religion is not the answer,it was for me.Good luck God bless:O)

Answer 7

Teach them the important things in life.

Answer 8

i thin we need to go back 50 years and see how it was done than, i have a 2 year old girl and i will not give her an inch, she knows that she cant push me and she does not try, i think we must be cruel to be kind

Answer 9

teach them to respect themselves and others, teach them right from wrong and let them know you love them. I have always told my girls that I love them and will stand by them even if I do not approve or understand what they do. Listen to them and talk with them not at them. Treat them the way you want them to treat you.