January 27, 2025 WHO’S IN CHARGE?
"Today's parents seem to have abdicated their leadership role to their children, who are hardly equipped to make wise or even good decisions."
- Detroit Flanagan
Listen to this meditation on audio:
I have observed parents in department stores asking four and five-year-olds which outfit they like. Does that make sense? Of course, not, but those are the kinds of absurdities that occur when something that started out as a seemingly reasonable idea ie. (Dr. Benjamin Spock's 1946 groundbreaking book "Babies and Childcare” which focused on showing more empathy and applying less corporal punishment is taken to its extreme. Leadership belongs with the parent. Decision-making for adolescents belongs with the parents, not the child. If we think our children are going off the rails now, it will only get worse unless grown-ups start acting like the mentors and leaders they are supposed to be. Children are children. They need parents to give guidance not parents who turn decision-making over to children, who have no experience at it. Leaders make decisions. Children are not leaders. They don't make decisions. They follow directions until they get to where they are mature enough and experienced enough to make decisions. It looks as though we have gotten to the point in our conciliatory parenting that indeed the tail is wagging the dog. As that is happening, the chaos in our homes, and consequently, our society is growing. Since too many parents have not assumed their role as leaders, our children are now looking to others, outside of the home, for decisions on how to think and how to act and how to treat others. The growing lack of respect for parents at home is spilling over into our larger society as our children, many of whom do not respect their parents, show little or no respect for their teachers, which is increasingly taking the joy of teaching out of that noble profession. Parents, never forget, the buck stops with you. It is up to you to take full responsibility for your child's growth, development, and education. Your sanity and the mental health of your children are at stake. What will it be? Will you be in charge of your home or will your child be in charge of your home? It's one or the other.
© 2025 Detroit Flanagan
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