John Rosemond is always so on point! I appreciate this article that ran in our local paper yesterday.
This week, as I continue taking issue with parenting styles born in the ’60s, I explore the notion that the family should be democratic.
My wife, Willie, and I began our family in 1969. That was also the year I began graduate school. It was “hip” to believe in such things as the democratic family, and so, being super-hip, Willie and I charged down the road to democracy with our first. We were going to prove that Family Utopia was within grasp.
Three years later, it was obvious to us that we had failed. Instead of democracy, we had created tyranny. The tyrant was 36 inches tall. Whenever we attempted to motion for a certain decision that was not to his liking, Eric screamed and threw himself around like a madman. We, in turn, danced to his discordant tune.
We danced until we found a place to stand that would cause him to stop screaming. This meant, of course, that the more we danced, the more he screamed, and the more we danced, and so on.
Continue reading Democracy with kids can be tyranny – Lifestyles – News & Observer.
One of my husband’sfave sayings is, “sorry, this family is not a democracy!”
I love John Rosemond, even if he describes himself as a ‘dyed in the wool conservative.’ I find myself being quite ‘conservative’, parenting-wise, in the sense that I *do* believe parents should be leaders, not friends.
My mom always clips the articles out for me, and it is such a nice way for us to connect and discuss parenting styles, experience, etc.
Thanks for this website, Emily! It is absolutely fabuloso.