I just have this to say to the anonymous commenter: It's so nice that you have the audacity to berate (hopefully I'm not using words to big for you to understand) me about an experience I had with the neighborhood kid. Thank you for wishing that my next child turns out to be like the boy across the street. Ain't going to happen for several reasons. We refuse to be parents that think it's OK for our kids to just slide by in life. We are not our son's friend, nor will we ever be friends with our children. I'm also a parent that doesn't let my son watch more than an hour of TV a day and is not allowed to sit around all day playing video games. We do schoolwork with him on a regular basis and are trying to teach him how to read. He already knows how to add. Do I think I'm a snob because I am trying to educate my son? Absolutely not. I'm just tired of the world saying that we're the stupidest country in the world because we don't emphasize education. I don't think they're too off on their observation in a lot of ways. As I said before, I expect more than just sliding by. If it comes to it that his best is average, so be it, but with the fact that he's not even 4 1/2 yet and can do what he does, he's way ahead of the curve. BTW, sue me because he's also bilingual and we'd like him to become trilingual.
I also want to thank you for being such a coward by not signing your name. You don't even have the balls to post a comment other than anonymously. Asshat!!
On a happier note...
My mom ordered Eriks an Indianapolis Colts uniform complete with helmet. He kept begging for a helmet to go play football in and with him being the only grandchild thus far on my side of the family, my mom couldn't resist. So here's a picture of a future Indianapolis Colts player. He's so cute. Too bad he's got the devilish side that only Lane and I manage to see. But talking to all my friends who have toddlers age 2-5 have said, they're always great in the company of other people. It's just their parents they don't want to listen to.
5 comments:
Good for you for parenting your son! I love the phrase you used: "We refuse to be parents that think it's OK for our kids to just slide by in life." I've spent a large part of my teaching career working with children who have been prevented from ever reaching their potential because their parents make no effort at all in any area of life with their kids.
Parenting is not some lazy activity where you get to sit on your backside while your children stumble thru life. Yes there are children who have learning difficulties or are profoundly delayed. I have worked with severely disabled youngsters who knew what the days of the week were, and the parts of the day - and who did so because their parents also made massive efforts with them to teach them basic skills and concepts, and didn't leave it all to the school. If you love your children, and want them to do their best in life, you make the effort. Doesn't sound like his parents make much effort in any area with this boy, or his brother.
It's possible of course that your neighbor's kid is seriously below average ability (it would need to be seriously below to not know these basic things by his age), but the reason we call it 'average' is because that is what most children are. And the average 6 year old (even the low-average child) should know the days of the week and that the day is divided (morning, afternoon, evening, night). He should certainly have the receptive language skills to understand what 'no he can't play' means, and have been taught the basic good manners of how to visit with someone (like not shoving his face up against the door). That does say a lot about the parents! I doubt that I will be letting Hannah cross the street to call on someone when she is 6 without supervision - and I will certainly be making sure she learns to be polite visitors (as my mother did with all of us).
Good for you for having standards!
That anonymous commenter is a complete asshat! That six year old definitely has a lot to learn - it is just sad.
Yeah Colts! My brother-in-law's brother used to play for the Colts (I think for about 8 years)! Awesome team!
I totally agree with your thoughts/statement. I've never been a stand by parent. I've always been up in the face, teaching all the while kind of parent. There were days my kids hated me.. oh well, they got over it and have told me as such. I'm my older daughter's friend now but she is all grown up. (or likes to think she is) funny thing is, she always used to tell me she was "afraid" of me. That kinda hurt my feelings and then she restated it.. "I was afraid of your disappointment in me." ahhh.. I've done my job. :0)
Keep your standards where they are.. more parents should be like you!
What a cutie!!!
Sorry about the asshats of this world! Coward!!!
How are you feeling?
Sam
Just a thought...it wouldn't suprise me that it was the child's mother....and if it was maybe she could learn how to raise her children. As you know I work with children and when parents don't do there part I can tell. It's ticks me off when parents expect the children to just grow up without any gudience from them and just learn everything from school... Anyways I love the pic of my nephew. Love ya and miss ya
Post a Comment