Comments on: PSA: Dear Tourist Parents… http://www.kitchenwench.com/2008/11/14/psa-dear-tourist-parents/ adventures in supreme deliciousness Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:50:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Paul Roth http://www.kitchenwench.com/2008/11/14/psa-dear-tourist-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-10865 Paul Roth Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:29:27 +0000 http://www.kitchenwench.com/?p=272#comment-10865 I agree with your conclusion that the parents did not respect you or the other riders, but I think that's just part of the problem. Your description of the parents' actions tells me that they have little self-respect and have never learned that disciplining a child is not mean, but appropriate. They sound afraid of their own children. These were probably parents who thought it was cute when their infant children would say "no" or refuse to go along with their parent's "requests". I think you'll be a fine mom so long as you remember that as long as you know more about life than your children, it'll be your responsibility to tell them what to do (and why, when you can). Only when they've learned enough that they can make safe choices on their own should a parent allow children that option. Parenting is not making requests of your kids; parenting is parenting. I'm sad you had to experience that. I'm glad you made a PSA! I agree with your conclusion that the parents did not respect you or the other riders, but I think that’s just part of the problem. Your description of the parents’ actions tells me that they have little self-respect and have never learned that disciplining a child is not mean, but appropriate. They sound afraid of their own children. These were probably parents who thought it was cute when their infant children would say “no” or refuse to go along with their parent’s “requests”.

I think you’ll be a fine mom so long as you remember that as long as you know more about life than your children, it’ll be your responsibility to tell them what to do (and why, when you can). Only when they’ve learned enough that they can make safe choices on their own should a parent allow children that option. Parenting is not making requests of your kids; parenting is parenting.

I’m sad you had to experience that. I’m glad you made a PSA!

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