Carol Dee
Garden Master
Good enough reason for this momI always asked why, My mother always replied " because I said so"
Good enough reason for this momI always asked why, My mother always replied " because I said so"
Hey GORGEOUS!!! Is that you in your avatar or is it a movie star???Good enough reason for this mom
Thanks just lil' old me!Hey GORGEOUS!!! Is that you in your avatar or is it a movie star???
My mother once grated a bar of soap over my teeth, when I cursed at her. No matter how many times brushed my teeth for 2 day all I tasted was soap. Never told my mother f**k you again
I know a couple kids that have had dishwashing liquid squirted in their mouths for cursing. (not by me)
My parents never used the "soap in the mouth" trick. Dad had a thick black leather belt he favored. Mom used a different method. She'd send us out to bring in a switch, then used it with vigor. If we brought in a defective switch, say it was too small or was rotten wood so it broke, she'd use it then send us back out for a proper switch. Different parents have different methods.
I don't remember cursing or using foul language in my parent's hearing. Somehow I just knew it was not a wise thing to do. That didn't stop me from doing some other things though. I knew the diameter, length, and flexibility of the switch my Mom favored. She really liked one off of the privet bushes. Man, I hated that black belt of Dad's.
The mention of sending a kid out to find their own switch reminded me of a story I heard several years ago and it really made me think:
A little girl was sent outside to find an appropriate limb for her dad to switch her with. She was gone for the longest time, but finally came back inside, lugging a big stone. She tearfully said "I couldn't find a stick, Daddy, but I brought this rock for you to hit me with."
OMG, I get all choked up even retelling this. What kind of message are kids receiving when we hit them with sticks? Or bare hands, for that matter?
There is a huge difference between discipline and "hitting" your kid.
And I think thoughtful people know the difference without having to spell it out.
I certainly knew that I had crossed the line when I got called on it and had to experience the consequences. I never enjoyed it of course, but it did serve as a deterrent to more of the same behavior from me in the future.
Those who think they are being socially advanced by allowing disrespectful behavior, (and I think all disobedience has it's roots in disrespect), are the true abusers.
Way to go GrandmaBee, I have to admit to a little spoiling of my grand kids. Our DD once told me that I had to put the oldest to bed at a certain hour, make sure she ate a healthy meal, no sweets and blah, blah, blah...
I looked at her and calmly said, That's not my job. That's YOUR job. MY job is to spoil her.