People wonder why I am so adamant about not indulging in these types parenting techniques. My post on the gentleman that shot his daughters computer generated a lot of discussion on here and on my personal Facebook page.
This little girl died and my fear is that if she had not died, then people would assume that this type of parenting is acceptable. I can hear the pragmatic arguments about how at least they were trying something. It wasn’t traditional but it got through to her.
She
died
at
nine
years
old!
Because she ate some candy bars. SHE ATE SOME CANDY BARS. Take a moment and allow that thought to digest. She lied to grandma about eating candy bars. This type of parenting is born out of the idea that violence is somehow redemptive when it comes to children. It stems from a belief that bullying is OK if you are the parent. It comes from an angry place inside of the person administering it, not a place of love.
Violence is not OK, even if you are the parent. This type of parenting is wrong even if she had lived.
Parenting should be about shaping future adults. It should not be about our own pride or desire. Let me say this, as long as we tolerate this type of parenting more tragic results are going to come from these stupid and dangerous acts.
Not all of the victims will die. Some will just grow up with great psychological trauma. Some will have huge attachment issues. Some will abuse their kids. I sometimes wonder what in the world people thought parenting was going to be like. What did they think it would mean to be a parent? I’m done writing for today. Today, I am mourning a little girl’s death. I am mourning a society that has lost its way when it comes to how we raise our children.
Why take them to jail? I think they could stand to be made to run for hours on end without water.
I remember being made to run around the house a certain number of times or for a certain number of minutes when our parents thought we had too much energy (i.e. we were being too loud, or fighting). This is not that. This is insane.
Your parents were just observing the adage about youth being wasted on the young. 😉
I agree Joe. It is so much more than just someone dying. It is ignorant and self-centered parenting. This type of discipline is the kind parents use to make life easier for themselves rather than helping children learn to be honest in an environment where they are loved and feel safe.