Barefoot child at Wal-Mart

[Marigold2]

Geez don't be so hard on yourself.

[Lady's Human]

Maybe a few of you ladies could get together and write a book on how to be a perfect parent?

I'm deeply disturbed by the fact that my wife and I have no earthly idea how to raise children. We need your wisdom and guidance before our children get injured by our blatant incompetence.

[Marigold2]

Well that is what makes the world so interesting. Different views, opinions, thoughts, hopes, dreams, talents....
I didn't say I was perfect I said I did not think it was a good idea to let a child go barefoot in a parking lot.
Would you really allow your child to do that?
What about sailing around the world when they are 14?
Backpacking through Europe when they are 17?
Joining the military at 17?
Driving cross country at 17 for spring break with 5 other kids?
Going to an island or FL for spring break?
Being at the mall alone at 12 or 14 late at night?
Riding in a car with a boy you only met once at 15?
I have been a mom for 32 years and the choices you have to make are endless and get more frightening as they get older.
I don't know how old your kids are but it is a tough job and I wish you luck cause we all need it.

[RICHARD]

By the time they are walking about they have stopped putting their toes into their mouths.

I was laughing about an article I saw about kids, germs and illness

My parents and sibs used to take the kids out camping when they were about two-three months old.

Park them under a tree in a playpen and rock on.

----------------
I laugh when I see parents freak out as they bubble wrap the spawn to take them outdoors.

The same parents will hold a measles/mumps party, but will try and isolate them from the regular shiat that we all face in everyday living.


Remember what happened to the indiges in North America when the 'sick' Euros came to town and handed out those filthy blankets?

[RICHARD]

Wal-Mart is a breeding ground for filth.:

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/



I heart you!

[kitten645]

While "building up an immune" system is great in theory, consider child mortality rates then and now. "Stuff happens" indeed but why not hedge your bets where you can. Indeed a child or any human for that matter faces all sorts of threats and dangers. Might as well eliminate as many as you can where you have control.

[Lady's Human]

Yep. Bubblewrap them and then be surprised when the world reaches out and slaps them with reality.

Sorry, I'm a firm believer in letting them learn from their actions.

[RICHARD]

Yep. Bubblewrap them and then be surprised when the world reaches out and slaps them with reality.

Sorry, I'm a firm believer in letting them learn from their actions.

Oh, just because you were there to explain to your children how to behave?

[pomtzu]

Maybe a few of you ladies could get together and write a book on how to be a perfect parent?

I'm deeply disturbed by the fact that my wife and I have no earthly idea how to raise children. We need your wisdom and guidance before our children get injured by our blatant incompetence.

Excuse what I am about to say, but this is a ridiculous statement (2 actually!) if I ever heard one. I didn't see one person here, claim to be a perfect parent, and no one is saying that you and your wife don't know how to raise children. This whole issue has been blown totally out of proportion. Most just feel that letting children go barefoot in a less than even somewhat clean environment, is potentially asking for trouble. That's their opinion, and no one is trying to force their views down anyone else's throat. I think that we share the opinion, that it isn't worth the risk of injury or infection, when even just a simple pair of flip-flops or crocs, could reduce it to practically nothing. But we are all free to do as we see fit, and we should - and will - carry on as such.

[Lady's Human]

And I will continue parenting as I see fit. The problem with that is one of these days, some holier than thou busybody can call CPS because I'm doing XYZ that they don't agree with, and open a case.

Reading this thread I see nothing but an attitude of I don't know what the hell I'm doing as a parent.

Sorry, I call 'em like I see 'em.

Don't like it? Oh well.

[Bonny]

I guess common sense would play a big part in parenting, some have it & some don't & some are in the process of learning it.

[Lady's Human]

And some have decided that they want nothing to do with it..................

[Bonny]

And some have decided that they want nothing to do with it..................

Well in that case pay the consequences. Let the village try to help raise the children.

[Lady's Human]

The village can get the hell out of my life, thank you.

[Bonny]

So the school system, churches, human services don't count? They are part of the village. Your tax dollars at work.