Babies...most everyone has one...And kids in general...Basically, a mini-rant.

[Amber Marshall]

Okay...so they aren't brought by the stork or found in a cabbage patch. My question is, why, within the past year, have sooooo many been showing up or on the way? Seems that everyone has one but me. That's like being the only kid in class without a Trapper Keeper. Holy hell!

I think its great that everyone is passing on their DNA, but a word of advice: Please teach your children manners. I don't think anyone who is reading this (and you know there are like 4-5 of us on here right now) has a problem in that area, but you probably know parents out there somewhere who need that advice. I ask this not only for the singles out there like me w/o kids who would like to have a nice shopping/eating/movie experience, but also for those of us out there who plan to teach your kids. There are enough little monsters out there and they later turn into big ones. Basically, I've got 2 words: corporal punishment. Also, it helps to deal in consequences so that the kids have options and stuff.

I'm not telling y'all how to raise your kids...I'm just letting you know the consequences of not taking an active hand in raising your kids. Seen too many kids whose parents think that it is the educational systems job to raise the kids. That doesn't work well people. After spending the better part of the last decade as a sub and a permanent sub (read- emergency teacher), I can safely say that school is NOT how we remember it. Y'all gotta watch y'all's kids because there are some crappy kids out there that they may become friends with. And if there is a parent/teacher night, for God's sake GO!!! Question that person on what they will be teaching/expecting from the kids...Ask to see some lesson plans and what sort of projects the kids will be doing. Offer your contact info to the instructor so that, God forbid, your kid is slacking or misbehaving, that person can get with you. Don't rely on the counselors. In other words, be involved.

Okay, well I guess thats it for now. Advice from the single, childless scholar here. Available for tutoring (mainly history but also stuff like biology and anatomy and health). Minimal charges (dinner) for people I know. LOL OH! Feel free to comment back...I'd love that.

[norman ramos]

Hello, Amber and thanks for the heads-ups and its good to hear from you. How are things going with you? I was just in the valley for a couple of weeks and I was surprised to see all the growth but it was sad too, hey do you know whos planning the reunion and what we are doing to get ready? Let me know and take care. Norman

[Luis Fernando Rocha]

I sure agree with Amber. I believe kids need to know the consequences of their actions. I'm not talking about going to the extreme of beating them half to death, but rather one or two spankings, depending on the offense. At the same time, I cannot fully agree with parents who swear to the "constructive" approach, when this approach only creates a child that constantly DEMANDS attention, and it gets more and more intense. Yes, they may cry less, but it's because they get ALL the attention they demand, WHEN they demand it.
I have no children of my own, so maybe my views might change after having my own; other parents -- mainly my sister -- swear that I won't be so "harsh" when I finally become a father. Well, after a year or so of living with a single mother of 3, I think I have enough experience in the area to have a well-founded opinion on the subject. If anything, it has cemented my previous beliefs that children should not be allowed to walk all over and control their parents, as this would only carry further into their childhood and adulthood.
As a last note, I don't remember where I read or heard this, but it seems that, though not conscious, children KNOW from the age of 6 months how to control the parents and/or the people around them. Given that at that age they DO have many legitimate needs, it would be hard to say that they're ALWAYS trying to control instead of needing something. We're humans, and it's an innate behaviour at that age to try to control. We can't NEVER give in, but don't ALWAYS give in. THAT creates a monster.

[Shaine Mata]

My son doesn't like talking to my friend, Mr. Huarache. The daughter has known consequences too. We don't watch them too closely, but we do jump all over them when they step out of line, almost to the point of exaggeration. It's quite a performance, you should witness it.

Sometimes, they smart off in a moment of dumbness. Though it may be funny to me secretly, I won't have any of it. If they don't respect their parents, woe to the rest of the world. As Cartman would say, "You need to respect my authoritay!"

[Omar Garcia]

Man you hit it right on the head. I totally agree with you. TOO many parents out their using the "Time Out" method that DOES NOT WORK. As a father myself, my kids know that NO mean NO. And they know that they better behave in public or their little bottoms are going to turn red. I believe in the old fashion method. It worked for me and it will work for most.
When I was teaching History at Sharyland and coaching, I felt as though I needed to teach more of these kids about life skills and how to act as mature adults rather than teach them about history. Let's face it school is not the way it was when we their and that is a fact. To many parents believe that the schools should teach them all they need to know, and some parents don't realize that education begins at home first and continues at home after school.
That is the biggest problem I have as a director. MANY parents think their kids will become the next all-star, and expect the coaches to turn them into one. Not realizing that the coaching continues at home. Most of these coaches are volunteers and not professionals that are going to turn kids into all-americans. I STRONGLY AGREE with you education and teaching continue at home. The problem is to many parents forget that the most important function at home is education and it starts with the kids. Great topic Amber...