Their kids are TERRORS!!!!

are you proud of yourself for all the wonderful one word answers you leave?

I meant doesn't beat them, not DON'T.

Yes, they are just children. But there must be some sort of limit to keep them from growing up with no manners, values, or morals. I do remember being a child and we were not allowed to behave like most of the children you see nowadays...and like you said, a major factor of that is that they do challenge what adults say and have less and less people to hold them accountable for their actions. Even teachers, tend to blame the parent, when they do not know that the child might have learned a bad action from a fellow classmate. Children grow up very fast, and so parents, teachers, and family members in society need to work together to keep each generation from becoming worse. That is something I believe we have lost in the 21st century. Nobody cares about anyone other than themselves these days.

I agree with you completely. So many times I here of kids making scenes in supermarkets, and then when the parent gives them a little spanking (I don't condone abuse, but a little pat on a diapered bottom, never hurt the kid), the parent immediately gets a call from child services. Yeah, we did turn out just fine... a little discipline is better than none at all. Unfortunately, the real abusers tend to get away with what they do, while the honest parents are the ones that always get caught. And yes, society plays a major role in the discipline arena...not just the parents or the children.

Absolutely! People in my family have begun to notice that if they don't chastise their children, or give them any sort of response to their negative action, that I will say something to their kids myself. And many times, they have begun to look to me for advice. I do not even have kids, and I too, feel that if you do not have some sort of punishment (my favorite being time out, from everyone else and your toys), then they will turn out like monkeys and climb the walls everywhere you take them. And it is so true, that they tend to try everything once.

By the way, good job on raising your five properly. The more good kids out there, the more hope we have for future generations. :)

Yes, I am not for violence or hitting either, and it is a shame that a lot of kids learn that behavior early on, and then do not get stopped from doing it continually to others, perhaps even the parents get hit by their kid also. I hope he doesn't grow up to be the school bully. My friend had two wild sons, they were out of control, (and it was because they were going through so much turmoil within the household, divorce, moving, new people in and out of their life, etc.), one day I had a talk with both the little guys, telling them that I was their mom's friend and that meant that I was their friend (unlike being a family member, that they stopped listening to), and if they ever needed to talk, I would listen, etc. Needless to say, they were much better, because of that. And now, that things have settled somewhat in their lives, they are doing much better in general. So perhaps, the child is just reflecting what his parents are going through, or he learned that by hitting, he can get the attention that he needs. I suggest, however, not letting your son get hit by that guy. Tell him, that it is not right for your friend's son to hit him, and that if he does, he should tell you. Also, tell him that he has the right to defend himself if needs to.

That is true. There are certain parents that can become pushovers, and it will be too late for them to get respect from their children. Also, some parents are not good role models for their kids (not to say that your dad is not), and so that can be a part of it.

Yes, Exactly. That is the point of the matter. Because children blame their parents for everything anyway, they are surely going to tell their parents (when they are older), that they are the ones to blame for their bad behavior. I have to say, I feel bad for the experience that you had, but it teaches you to be prepared for the next time they come, you can be more aggressive yourself and show them that you have certain rules that need to be obeyed, and that if they do not, them they will be punished. After all, when they are in your care, they are your responsibilty and you can treat them the way you treat your children.

I love SuperNanny and all the other nanny shows, I wish more parents would watch them also, so that they could get advice as to how they are raising their kids. Also, that is sad about the rug, but at least you have tile instead so that if it happens again you can clean it up easily, since coffee is one of the most difficult things to remove.