My Space for kids??

[emsplace]

Audrey,

I didn't think you said that about all adults. And, I'm not saying AT ALL, that my siblings are perfect - the contrary is true in my little brother... but it wasn't because of rules - it was because of HIS BAD CHOICES!
I lost my mind in college. Because I had never seen or done so many things. I was older when I went too... but I can't blame my parent's strictness on it. I blame myself for not sticking with my values I was taught. Years later I have regrets about some things... well, several things! lol

I know lots of people who still call their adult children - you are NOT alone in that. And I am so happy she realizes how lucky she is - or I hope she does.

I know Sheltering is NOT always right... but I like to call it INSULATING! And I believe it is my job to put my child in situations with like-minded adults/families... not perfect because we are human, but like-minded.

I agree... I think we'd get along great.  If I had never miscarried I'd have an almost 23  year old... and several other children, but I only have one and at 45... he may be it (well, I'll be 45 in 16 days)...

OK... gotta go!
take care,
em

[Nancy]

This might blow some of your minds considering who it is coming from and the fact that I am online 90% of the time, but why do kids need to be online at all except to do schoolwork?

Why do they need to be playing video games or watching tv, when they could be reading a book of some kind?

Everyone here whose post I have read all of you seem to be good parents, maybe you don't do things the way I would have, but few people would have, so I hope some of you can think about this and ask yourselves why do they need a facebook or my space page at age 10 or 13 or 16 for that matter. 

I sorry I just don't get it!

[emsplace]

  Nancy!
I agree...
My son gets 30 mins a day of TV.
30 minutes on the computer - if he asks (he loves science stuff... so we do a lot of looking at tornados and volcanos and how they work).
And not every day, but some days, we play the Wii (or he does for maybe an hour - like if it is raining... it's a good family sport!).

I say ROCK ON because I am in agreeance...
Why do they need it? To be popular?... my dad always said "no one ever asks if you were popular on a job application!"

em

[Cheese&Whine]

Oh the things that I have to look forward to....

[Nancy]

Cheeseandwine

It is not scary as long as you keep an open communication with your child, you will have very few major problems.  They all rebel at some point, and frankly I would be worried if they didn't.  They need to put into practice what you are teaching them now sometime in their life.

Also be sure and keep your sense of humor, you will need it.

[Audrey]

Tracey,

The older they get, the more awesome the relationship. I have bragged endlessly about my 18 year old. She called me one day last week. We had an INCREDIBLE theological discussion Neither of us wanted the conversation to end. You can't do that with a 2 year old.

[Nancy]

I totally agree, Audrey, the older they got the closer I felt to them.  My daughter who is now 35 is my best friend.  My three sons are the nicest people and my fishing buddies.  We all are very close and talk about everything.

[Audrey]

Nancy,

My 25 year old will still say to her friends "thanks for your advice, I need to ask my mom" She knows I'll tell her like it is.

[Nancy]

Exactly, and it goes both ways.  I always know my kids will give me an honest answer and sometimes their advice is better than any I could give to them.  They are much smarter about money matters than I ever was. 

[Danielle]

  Ladies for al your comments...I never knew i would get this many comments!! But, it seems that we are in agreeement on we love our children and want whats best for them. Caiden's dad came home for a few days and we talked about this and he is in TOTAL agreement with me!

[sandilynn1975]

my oldest is 11 and I am frankly of the teenage years. I have four daughters and I was raised with all 3 sisters so I know what it's like! My parents were very strict and I was a pretty good kid, but I still smart mouthed now and again and of course thought my parents were nerds. Ohhhhh I hate that but I know my children aren't my friends, they are my kids and they can think I'm a nerd if they want. It won't help them get what they want. lol I just hope when they are older and wiser that we CAN be friends. ONE day. I look forward to having those discussions like one lady above mentioned with her 18 year old. I hope to be a great mom and I do think limiting internet, tv and games is one of the important things we do need to do.