Raising children

[podyx]

I am curious on what your opinion on how to raise a child is. Some people choose to turn their cheek to the bad side so they can live a happy life, some people choose to suffer with those who already suffer.
I think this is a interesting subject and I don't consider that there are any rights or wrongs.
My opinion is that you have a right to- and deserve to live a happy life but when I find myself in similar situations I just can't walk away from those who need help, it's just not possible. I know others can do it; is it something they get used to? Are they afraid to not be happy? Are some people simply born with no empathy at all? Is it molded in, framed by their childhood growth and enviroment?
Anyway I think it really is a case of where heaven turns out to be hell and hell turns out to be heaven, but I would like some discussion and perspective on this matter.

I think if I ever have kids I want them to see brutal but eye-opening movies at an early age(not completely sure though), such as Schindler's list, American history X, The boy in the stripes pants, The green mile, Lion king, Pay it forward, Saving private ryan.
These are all movies I saw at a pretty young age which moved me quite alot.

[hilariousandco]

I don't think exposing young children to 'brutal' films at such a young age is a good idea. A good motto for raising kids is 'teach them how to think not what to think'.

[tins]

It is not sheltering children by not letting them see some of the horrors of life before they are ready. It could lead to being traumatized, issues, anxiety, etc down the road.
Each child is different. Each nation is different. A child in Vietnam would be more prepared to deal with extreme poverty than a child growing up in St. Louis, Missouri. I don't think there can be a blanket way to raise a child.
My wife and I will teach are children the realities of life, but will not do it before they are mentally prepared.

[podyx]

It is not sheltering children by not letting them see some of the horrors of life before they are ready. It could lead to being traumatized, issues, anxiety, etc down the road.
Each child is different. Each nation is different. A child in Vietnam would be more prepared to deal with extreme poverty than a child growing up in St. Louis, Missouri. I don't think there can be a blanket way to raise a child.
My wife and I will teach are children the realities of life, but will not do it before they are mentally prepared.

When do you consider that a average kid is mentally prepared? About 18?

I think a person's ground morals are set at a early age and I don't think they change when growing up unless they experience some unusual bad event.

[tins]

It is not sheltering children by not letting them see some of the horrors of life before they are ready. It could lead to being traumatized, issues, anxiety, etc down the road.
Each child is different. Each nation is different. A child in Vietnam would be more prepared to deal with extreme poverty than a child growing up in St. Louis, Missouri. I don't think there can be a blanket way to raise a child.
My wife and I will teach are children the realities of life, but will not do it before they are mentally prepared.

When do you consider that a average kid is mentally prepared? 18?

I think a person's ground morals are set at a early age and I don't think they change when growing up unless they experience some unusual bad event.

As I said before, I don't think a blanket statement could be used such as 'this is the age a child is mentally prepared to deal with the atrocities in Darfur'. I see it (and this is my own humble opinion) as something that parents should decide on a case by case basis. It could vary greatly within the same family among siblings.

[practicaldreamer]

How long does childhood really last ? From the age of say 5 to 13 ? 8 years - ish. Its such a short period of time - and very special in all our lives (or should be). I don't want to open my kids eyes to the harsh realities of life via Hollywood films - I feel that I am doing my job as a father best when I see them laughing  - and when they are doing/experiencing interactively, not just passively sat in front of a film or a Nintendo DS

  As far as moral teaching is concerned - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - but they kind of know that already 
     

[counter]

You don't want to keep children in the dark it will leave the wrong impression on them.  I think it is the parents job to watch the child develop and mature so a parent has idea if the child is mentally prepared to taken in certain types of information.

[roslinpl]

One thing that I see when I look at my friend who have two daughters is :

Rising a child is very hard and it is easy to talk theoretically when you do not need to really raise them

Everything changes when your kid talk and think and like kid - is always against your rules...
It is really hard mission to success and indeed really important!

I am sure about one think: I will always repeat to my kid "You can be everywhere you want in the future, you can be anyone you want in the future - just work hard on it - whatever you want it to be"

[podyx]

Indeed a cheerful and happy childhood is important but my point is that there will be bad days and these bad days should be embraced as much as the happy days

I believe it directly relates with the fact that give a person too much and he will just want more.
A absolutely perfect life with no hassle can in no way be healthy for the mind and therefore will mess with your life.
I guess what i'm gettnig at is to don't be afraid to feel bad/depression or whatever for a day or two.
It's what will be needed to form a proper mindset so, ultimately you can strive/work for more instead of getting it for free

Don't get me wrong though
A good life is obviously better then a bad life, that speaks for itself

[jinjuro]

Show them how you love them. Teach them good morals. Teach them how to deal with problems. Teach them dedication to work. Teach them how to love and respect their parents, other peoples and their own.

[Huangww]

 

[tins]

Show them how you love them. Teach them good morals. Teach them how to deal with problems. Teach them dedication to work. Teach them how to love and respect their parents, other peoples and their own.

And spend lots and lots of time with them!

[sana8410]

I don't think exposing young children to 'brutal' films at such a young age is a good idea. A good motto for raising kids is 'teach them how to think not what to think'.

This is the perfect advice you can give to parents for raising their kids!To many parents see in their kids the second chance in life ,and force them to do what they couldn't.A kid is an individual just as you ,is not a doll or a dog to train him!

[Jcw188]

I think you'll change your mind about showing them those movies until they're much older.  My kid can't even comprehend simple lessons on MIster ROgers Neighborhood yet.  What age are you thinking?  You don't want to create too much fear in them, remember the whole yoda thing, fear leads to the dark side speech...wait until they can understand it and process it.  You want to make sure they feel "safe" first, for years, before exposing them to confusing things.

[beetcoin]

I don't think exposing young children to 'brutal' films at such a young age is a good idea. A good motto for raising kids is 'teach them how to think not what to think'.

This is the perfect advice you can give to parents for raising their kids!To many parents see in their kids the second chance in life ,and force them to do what they couldn't.A kid is an individual just as you ,is not a doll or a dog to train him!

i think sex is the bigger issue.. sure there's violence, but having sex shoved in your face at a young age is stupid. my cousin was watching lady gaga videos when she was 8.. kids look up to katy perry, beyonce, etc and try to emulate them.

[Dogtanian]

I don't think exposing young children to 'brutal' films at such a young age is a good idea. A good motto for raising kids is 'teach them how to think not what to think'.

This is the perfect advice you can give to parents for raising their kids!To many parents see in their kids the second chance in life ,and force them to do what they couldn't.A kid is an individual just as you ,is not a doll or a dog to train him!

i think sex is the bigger issue.. sure there's violence, but having sex shoved in your face at a young age is stupid. my cousin was watching lady gaga videos when she was 8.. kids look up to katy perry, beyonce, etc and try to emulate them.

Kids are exposed and sexualised far too early and having these pop singers as role models isn't very healthy. I wouldn't want my daughter dancing around like they do in these music videos.

[hilariousandco]

I don't think exposing young children to 'brutal' films at such a young age is a good idea. A good motto for raising kids is 'teach them how to think not what to think'.

This is the perfect advice you can give to parents for raising their kids!To many parents see in their kids the second chance in life ,and force them to do what they couldn't.A kid is an individual just as you ,is not a doll or a dog to train him!

i think sex is the bigger issue.. sure there's violence, but having sex shoved in your face at a young age is stupid. my cousin was watching lady gaga videos when she was 8.. kids look up to katy perry, beyonce, etc and try to emulate them.

Kids are exposed and sexualised far too early and having these pop singers as role models isn't very healthy. I wouldn't want my daughter dancing around like they do in these music videos.

I don't know how I feel about this. I don't really want children, but if I had them I really wouldn't be comfortable with them watching some of these videos or singing along to some of the lyrics, but I wouldn't want to be one of those parents who shields their kids from everything. Access to the internet is also a big problem / predicament. Most of us won't have grown up with even having access to it, so what effect is this going to have on children who use it from an early age and what level can you actually let your children have? There needs to be a balance found because you can't really shelter them from everything, but letting them use it unrestricted and having them exposed to everything the internet offers sounds like a nightmare. I have no idea how this is going to effect the current generation of kids.

[TrailingComet]

I would wait a bit with the extreme reality bit
They are gonna be exposed to it anyway sooner rather than later
What's the hurry?