This extremely important question was pitched by provocateur (or should it be ‘provocatress’?) Danielle Ginetti from one of Duo and my favorite New Haven watering holes, 116 Crown in New Haven.
In Episode 3, Danielle shared her concern that “…there’s no set standard”, and I have to agree.
How are we supposed to be raising our children?
Ron Carrano says
Well, being the father of two boys, Damian, who is 8, and Cameron, who is 6, I can say honestly that in today’s sick & twisted world, people need to be raising your children to be men or women from day 1.
Gone are the days where children are able to run, care free through their first 18-20 years. Things have changed, the landscape & climate of life have changed. The real world awaits them with huge pointy teeth, and it’s looking to take a chunk out of any ass it can sick said fangs into. It’s a sad reality, but a reality none the less.
I want my kids to ‘know’ what life means, and the possibilities of perils that may be presented to them. All in all, I’m raising my children to not be victims. Not mental, emotional, or physical victims. We live in a ‘purelle’ world, where too many parents want to sterilize the environment around their kids. Problem is, it’s those same kids who get a trophy just for showing up, and when real life comes calling, they find themselves with a box of tissues in one hand, and script for Paxil in the other.
Iron sharpens Iron, and life has those very same erosive effects. Children need to learn how to take a punch (figuratively), long before they ever come close to learning to throw one. Raise your children to laugh & love, while at the same time refusing to ever be anyones victim. Like the old saying goes…it’s a jungle out there…
sarah says
Oh, this is such a complicated question. We so want our children to be children, but it is a much different world out there than when we were growing up and thus the rules have changed. I have tried hard to let my children explore, learn and play on their own terms as long as they were not in danger. If you raise children with good ‘ole fashion morals and integrity they will make good decisions and turn out OK. I really believe that. It is hard work. It is exhausting. But in the end it is really worth it. I have two girls who are proof of that.