Blog 1

     In the beginning of class when we were did the agree and disagree activity I found myself very indecisive, I didn't find myself completely strong with one side of the statement. So, getting back to the question on how adults in 2012 should parent their children is a really good question. Me, personally think that parents should be more of a parent then a friend to their children. I think that parents should discipline their children and set expectations because if parents don't set those expectations or guidelines then 9 times out of 10 their children will walk all over their parents and assume that they are able to do what they want. However, in some cases even though their children may not live up to those expectations or guidelines I still think that parents should apply guidelines and expectations on them. And these expectations don't always have to be extremely strict but expectations such as respecting elders, treating others the way you want to be treated, doing well in school so that in the future you are able to be successful, eating with a utensil and not your hands, listening to people when they are talking to you, ect. I think as the child gets older the less rules they get because when your a child your parents expect less from you due to the fact that your young and your not as experience as someone who is older and experienced more in their life. My parents raised me with expectations and discipline and to this day, and I now know the difference between right and wrong because of what my parents have lectured to me throughout my life. My parents always told me if I was to work hard then I would be something but it takes hard work. They always compared me to what they didn't want me to be which actually influenced how I look at things today. My dad was always tough on me not to just do good in school but also to respect others and most importantly to myself. I always thought my dad was scary when I was younger so I always did what was said or told of me to do because I thought that if I disappoint him then I would be in big trouble. Which brings me to talk about why I don't think parents should be a friend to their children and that is because they might get the wrong impression and think of you as someone who they tell their problems to rather then their parent who deserves their respect and love. Friends already have that responsibility so I think parents should just be parents. Not saying you can't tell your parents your problems but I think parents should only be your friend to an extinct. My friends parents are more strict then mine and they are more sneaky with the things they do and they barely talk to their parents about issues they have or anything along that line. The reason I think they do this is because their parents are being a little way to hard on their children, which is very pressuring and pushing them away rather then closer. My parents gave me freedom but to an extinct to where I could make mistakes and learn from them and I think children learn more from when they make a mistake and have to go through the consequences rather then just being told not to do it. For example, stealing.
     When I have children I expect to be a mother and only a mother to my children. This means, teaching them basic things and needs to becoming successful in this world. This also means, setting simple guidelines and expectations. I don't plan to be hard on my children but I would always lecture them about becoming some thing and being independent. I would have pretty high standards for my children but not to the point where they feel as though they are forced to do so. Standards such as getting good grades, going to college, being involved in school, to be a leader and not a follower, and being respectful. Rules I would have for my child would be as simple as being respectful to others and , listening, good grades, being appropriate, and be your own person.