Quote Originally Posted by popcornbird View Post



Kids like to please, and when they know you love them, they try hard to please you. Harshness teaches them nothing other than fear. A huge misconception is that kids of the past were more respectful. That is not true. They did not respect their elders. They feared their elders. There is a big difference. Respectful people behave in the same manner around everyone. Fearful children 'act' respectful in front of adults they fear, and will be disrespectful as soo as your back is turned, guaranteed.
Of course kids like to please, but they don't have to be threatened or beaten into submission. A child, no matter how young, can be taught in a positive way about manners and respect, and they will love, not fear. I did not fear my parents, my children did not fear me, and my grandkids do not fear their parents (my children). I never took my kids anywhere and feared they would act up like little monsters or spoiled brats - whether it be to a public place, or to a friend's or relative's house. I'm not saying that they couldn't be ornery and try my patience by doing things that they knew they shouldn't, but they also knew how far they could go in testing me. And as I said before - children are never too young to be taught manners and respect, and you don't have to be a drill sergeant or carry a whip to do so.