It's The Parents Fault

Last night I apparently had nothing better to do and caught an episode of Nanny 911. This is a show that follows one of it's cape wearing, Mary Poppins shaming, uber nannies into the home of some ultra dysfunctional family.

This episode hit close to home because it happened close to my home. Some couple in suburban Chicago has four sons. The kids range from 4 to 13. The dad is a doctor and the mom stays home. These kids were out of control. They played video games for about six hours a day and fought non-stop. At one point the oldest kid was thrown down the stairs by the younger ones.

During all these delinquent antics, the parents did nothing. They disregarded the Nanny's suggestion to limit video games. They rolled their eyes at the idea of spending time doing things with or talking to the kids. "I can't spend my time playing with them. I'd have no time to get the things done in the house that I need to." That was Mommy dearest.

Listen, I'm not father of the year by any stretch, but it doesn't take an idiot to know that you need to spend time with your kids or they'll become demented freaks. I know it's easier to plop the crumb crunchers in front of the TV, but who do we blame when kids can't hold a discussion or read. Parents need to stop being their kids friends and start being parents. Sure it's hard work, but that's the price you pay for the fun of making them. A lifetime of work for 38 seconds of bliss. Later...Brian