It takes a lot of time and energy to be a GOOD parent. Even then you do the best you can, stand back and keep your fingers crossed.
I think children learn more from what they see the parents doing than from what the parents say. In other words you can't be "do as I say, not as I do". Kids are smart, they know the difference.
I can't imagine trying to raise a child these days. My oldest daughter has 4 children in 4 different schools. She is extremely organized and does an amazing job with them. She and her husband are constantly parenting.
I watched the youngest today (3 year old boy). He was so much fun. When I got there he was playing a Wii game (driving or something). Right after they walked out the door, the thing ended. I thought he'd throw a fit. Instead he let me push button after button trying to make the thing work. I never did figure it out. But thank goodness I am good at "Oh! Look! Let's play this or that"! (I distracted him). He dressed like the Hulk and chased grandma around, got into his big brother's Lego's, had plain ordinary fun (not electronic).
I accept them just the way they are (very different). I spend time with each of them individually, so I kinda know them. If you want to raise reasonably adjusted children you must 'stay the course'. Make rules (before the child is born), do not let them divide or they will conquer (play one against the other). Kids are extremely smart, just keeping up with them is full time. Know when to 'preach' and when not to (don't preach to them when they've done something wrong), wait....you'll know the right time.
I think most parents want their children to be happy well-adjusted adults, they just don't know how. Who does? Think about it, you have to take a test to drive a car but just about any woman can pop out a kid. I think many people today should probably not have children, but it's expected and many don't even try to prevent a pregnancy.
I waited 7 years to have my first child. We were just 19, had nothing. The time wasn't right. But let me tell you first everyone thought I WAS pregnant because we got married in less than 3 months (just in love) and then I'd get asked over and over when we were going to have a baby. I doubt that things have changed.
It is the most difficult thing a person can do (be a parent, a good parent). Most people have no idea at all what they're in for.
We won't even go into how selfish this generation is. I guess as a baby boomer myself, I'm expected to take the blame for them.
However, I refuse to take the blame just as I refuse to take the credit for how amazing I think my family is. Ha!
Whatever you saw was made to look that way because if they'd interviewed parents who said what many here said, the article or TV show wouldn't be discussed or watched. Plain and simple.
Unless of course all of us here are just amazing people and they totally forgot to interview all of us. Hummmm????
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