Clue train arrives at liberal parenting households Tom Smith

I have been saying for years that we should treat kids more like dogs.  What I mean is, reward good behavior and punish bad behavior.  Can it really be that some parents "don't allow the word 'no' to be said around their children"?  LWJ and I don't get out that much so I don't really know.  Two jobs, four kids, two dogs, one cute and one revolting lizard (more on her later), and a snake.  Our social life consists mostly of bed time stories and pay per view.  But I just don't know any of these hyper-permissive parents.  But I guess they must exist somewhere in the NYT's demographic.

I don't hold myself out as any big expert on kids.  In truth, they are more complicated than dogs.  With dogs, however, I do follow at least one rule:  never, ever hit your dog, but if necessary, you can electrocute him, which really works.  If you want to know why, hold the little electrode thingy against your arm and walk toward the invisible fence line.  HFS it hurts.

Comments

[john knox]

I observed such parents in their native habitat last summer in Santa Monica. Those with kids seemed to have about 1.5 of them. About the only thing you could imagine them saying no to was is if their little sushi roll wanted to wear last year's jeans from True Religion (I'm embarrassed I know this company exists but a few days in such locales edumacates you). Makes me glad natalists like myself with 4 kids and counting can escape to places where being a hellian isn't considered cute.

[Matt]

"I have been saying for years that we should treat kids more like dogs."

I think so, too, but I usually mean something like using a choke-chain, keeping them outside if they can't be potty-trained fairly quickly, and not allowing them inside stores and restaurants, at least not unless they are as well behaved as service dogs.

[jimbino]

Dogs have no chores. They lie around and scratch themselves wherever and whenever they want to. They are free to fornicate in public. They get one free bite on someone they can't stand. They travel real cheap, even in planes, and you don't have to pay $100 for a custodian. They wait for you to open the refrigerator door for snacks. You can be a male closed off in a small room with them without risking being accused of abuse that sends you to prison for 20 years. You can dispense with them when you want to (unless they "belong to someone else" in Texas, where it's a state felony). They can be and are used for petiscos and tapas. They don't expect presents on Christmas, Birthday, Easter and Halloween. They only transmit about 40 serious diseases to humans around them. They don't cost $800,000 to get through to the BA. They can be taught to behave in restaurants. You can tie one up on a leash and go about your business (Except in Texas ....).

Reinhard Mey says it better, in rhyme and song, in "Es gibt Tage da wünscht ich ich wäre mein Hund."

[Jonathan]

A behavioral scientist I know has long said that getting a dog is a good way to find out if you can successfully raise kids.

I would add that as far as TV dog mavens go I prefer Victoria over Cesar. She uses sound behavioral techniques and explains clearly what's going on. Of course the real problem in her cases is always the wacky dysfunctional dog owners. I'm sure they have problems with their kids too.

[Shock Collar]

Invisible Dog Fences have evolved over the past 25 years. The expensive and somewhat ugly chain link dog fences have fallen by the wayside in favor of the new electronic dog fences, which use invisible radio waves. Dogs have a habit of jumping over or digging under chain link dog fences or other solid barrier dog fences. An Invisible Fence is a good idea if you want to keep your dog safe. A wireless dog fence is great because you never have to worry about fixing broken wires. A Wireless Pet Fence is a good option for pet containment.

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Rebecca

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They wait for you to open the refrigerator door for snacks. You can be a male closed off in a small room with them without risking being accused of abuse that sends you to prison for 20 years.