DISQUS

Concept 53: In Loco Parentis?

  • rupzip · 8 months ago
    In some ways, we should completely unplug our kids
    No music
    no ipods
    no computer

    They have not only lost their creativity, they have lost their innocence

    David
  • RickD335 · 8 months ago
    I can hear the howling even now :)
  • Mama2Larry · 8 months ago
    It is hard to unring the bell. That's what trying to unplug our kids would be like. That being said, parents have abdicated their parental authority right & left. They want to be friends instead of the grown-up. They take the easy way out too often. I see it with my son, now 12. A lot of his friends think he has such a mean mom because he doesn't have free reign over the tv, he has limits on that, on his computer time and on his handheld. He actually draws, reads, builds structures with a toy called Uberstix. He would like more gadgets of course. He wants a cell phone (I see no need until he is working and/or driving his own vehicle. I don't care if he is the only kid not texting.) BTW, we are not churchgoing folks. It isn't just Christians who protect their kids though I often feel like a minority out here!
  • RickD335 · 8 months ago
    Mama,

    I agree that it is impossible to unring a bell - but by the same token, perhaps this kind of case should be ringing a bell for all to hear. Not just parents like yourself (and Christians do not have a monopoly on best practices in this arena, so don't let yourself feel alone - indeed, be welcome here!) who do not give in to the demands made by the culture, but all of us should be listening and thinking about how to deal with these issues. When law enforcement gets involved, such laws as we currently have would treat these kids as sex offenders when they are guilty of having high levels of hormones and exceptionally poor judgment.

    We lack the ability to legislate common sense and enforce wisdom, but we can - assuming we have our own supply - teach both and do our best to live it in front of others. Sounds like Larry's doing alright without the technotoys.