Most parents suck. (I would rock.)

EDIT: I'll leave this thread up for the sake of argument and discussion, but now that my vanity and my frustration have worn off you guys should know that my heart really isn't into it. I still think most people who have kids, shouldn't have. May the gods have mercy on me when I become a parent someday! I'm constantly amazed by the bad parenting I see around me. Wherever I look, it seems I'm reminded of that cheap reality T.V. show "At the End of My Leash," where that cocky balding guy lays the smackdown on pet owners whose dogs own THEM. Parents are either slaves to their children's tears (which translates into slavery for appeasement and calm), or rabid dogs themselves who have no sense of how to communicate. Case in point. My aunt - whom I really do love dearly - recently flew in from Dubai with her 5-year-old son. She lives in a very affluent home back in the Middle East, where most of the child-tending is done by her servants. I've been observing, living with, and accommodating this curious duo for a couple of weeks now. As sweet and good natured as he is, the kid spends 90% of his time in front of the television or his PSP. His room is strewn about with chocolates and candies of all sorts. Getting the child to get up and put his clothes on to go out is often a trying affair, and when auntie comes home in the evenings it is ALWAYS with a new toy or a case of gummy worms in his hands. He simply won't sit down calmly to dinner and he throws fits whenever something is denied him. I've spoken with my aunt very tactfully and naturally (we're close) on a number of occasions about what I think the child needs. I've observed personally that, as much as she likes to believe that she constantly gives him what he wants to make HIM happy, it's a replete form of laziness on her part. She simply doesn't want to DEAL with his crying. In short, she doesn't want to accept that she's a parent and he's a CHILD. I've recently made efforts to ditch the talk and to actually SHOW my aunt what I'd do as a father. Without resorting to any force or aggression, for example, at the grocery store today I calmly explained to the boy that he could choose either a candy or ice cream - but not both. When the mother caved behind my back, I told her not to question me in front of him. She instantly understood. I felt like I had to assuage two children as he began to bellow. When we walk out with some gummy bears, and he starts chowing down on them. In the same friendly tone I explain to him he can have two or three, but no more until after lunch. When he resists, I take them from him. Again, I assuage both children and explain to the little boy that it's okay to cry because I will give him his candies after he eats a healthy soup. The little munchkin is munching on rice and yoghurt downtstairs now. A small victory, methinks, and definitely a sign that it's not too late to reform this impending, self-entitled worthless man of the future. Yeah yeah, I know it takes one to know one, "try a day in my shoes, etc." but if you ask me human beings should be properly vetted and screened before they're allowed to have children.

Of course, I've thought about this. You'd need to understand my rapport with my aunt, as well as our current living situation to understand why I felt comfortable talking to her. I've never advised anyone else on these matters. Notwithstanding, I've always taken serious issue with the apparently unquestioned - and senseless - notion that parenting is a criticism-free zone. Barring factors like mental illness or some kind of traumatic past that only the parent would know about/know how to respond to, the "don't tell me how to raise MY child" bit carries little water in the face of downright egregious parenting practises. So even if I don't open my mouth 99% of the time (and always after careful observation; I agree that one-minute experts are annoying), I feel it's for the wrong reasons entirely. Parents who don't want to hear "it" - when it's right - are children themselves.

It hasn't worked yet!

I'll leave this thread up for the sake of argument and discussion, but now that my vanity and my frustration have worn off you guys should know that my heart isn't into it. I still think that most people who have kids, shouldn't have. May the gods have mercy on me when I become a parent someday!

Dude, seriously. P.S. I was that child, as well. My mom and dad are AWESOME!