The "Fragile" Generation

I was out for a run this week at a nearby park -- I stopped for a break by the playground and watched a few kids trying to kill themselves on the monkey bars while I caught my breath. Very enjoyable -- except for the one mom who hovered over her grade-schooler, squawking like a distressed hen every time the kid made a move. I'm sure that she was just "protecting" him from this dangerous world -- but that poor child is going to grow up paranoid, hypochondriac, and afraid of his own shadow!

Kids In Foreign Countries -- Clearly We're Raising Them Differently Here

Matt and I recently traveled to Tokyo, where we visited a number of venues normally swarming with out-of-control children. I love my zoos and amusement parks, but dread dealing with the hoardes of screaming rugrats, pushing and shoving and acting like fools. However, I have to say that Japanese children are an absolute delight -- polite, mannered, and well-behaved. Makes me wonder what the heck we're doing so wrong with kids in this country!

A Suggested Resolution For The Parents Out There

As we come upon January 1st and set our individual resolutions for the New Year, I presume (with my infinite sense of optimism) that most parents are taking a look at how they can better guide their children into adulthood -- teaching them the skills they need to succeed in this world. With that in mind, I would like to recommend a very simple resolution that would benefit not only the parents and children, but also the rest of us who have to interact with your kids...

Celebrating Christmas The Child-Free Way

A child-free friend of mine had a typically annoying experience this week. She was talking holiday plans with a group of friends at work, when a woman with children said, "Well, Christmas probably doesn't mean much to you, since you don't have kids." Excuse me? I love Christmas! It's my favorite time of the year -- and you surely do NOT need to own a rugrat to appreciate the joy of the season!

To Gift Or Not To Gift The Kids -- That Is The Question

I have a number of friends with small children -- and at this time each year, I face a dilemma. Should I buy these little rugrats a gift or not? Is it expected of me by the parents? Will they think I'm being stingy or selfish if I don't? Am I turning into a Scrooge for not feeling that these kids really NEED another toy? The answers are no, maybe, who cares, and absolutely not!

Parents -- It's Okay To Set Some Spending Limits This Christmas

I just learned that, even in this dismal economy, parents are expected to spend an average of $750 per child on holiday gifts this year (and much more for those in the higher tax brackets.) Many of these folks simply don't have the cash in hand to cover their holiday spending, so they'll be pulling out the plastic and accruing more credit card debt -- all in the name of celebrating the holidays. See anything wrong here?

Santa Claus -- To Tell The Truth Or Not

My husband was reading a story on Reddit this morning, about a woman who decided to tell her 3-year-old that there is no Santa Claus (fitting, with Redditors being all about truth and honesty.) Her mother apparently went ballistic, telling her that she had ruined Christmas for everyone and was going to hell. I could be wrong, but I have to imagine that there are many more important things to get worked up about during the holidays than whether or not a kid believed in Santa!

Teaching Your Kids About The Real Meaning Of The Holidays

I just overheard the most disturbing comment from a small child who was roaming the local Target with his mother. He said, "This year, I need you to make sure I get EVERYTHING I want on my Christmas list -- not like last year, when I only got half." I was shocked, and I waited for the mom to respond with something like, "Well, buster, you'll be lucky to get anything with that kind of attitude!" But she didn't. She simply sighed and looked defeated. I wanted to slap her (and the kid!)

Simulated Parenthood Has Come A Long Way

We just visited with some friends who have a 15-year-old daughter, and she is currently taking a parenting class at school. In my day, this meant that you toted around a flour sack or took an egg home and tried not to break it for a month (points off for boiling the egg!) But now, the art of "simulated parenting" has reached a whole new level...