Authoritarian Parenting...A Thing of the Past? Are We Hearing Our Own Advice People?

Christie Mellor is one of our absolute favorite authors... below is a blurb from her "The Three-Martini Playdate;

When you are the victim of your own child.

Time and again I have seen three, four, and five-year-old children punching their mommies in the face, slapping them across the head, and kicking them in the shins, while the mommies say in calm, gentle voices, "Honey-ow-please don't hit Mommy. Sweetie, please. Honey? What's the matter, honey? Are you having angry feelings, sweetheart? Ow." The mothers continue attempting to soothe the little savages into submission with hugs and kisses, while dodging tiny but vicious blows.

Would you accept this behavior from a friend? From your spouse? if the answer to those questions is a resounding "yes!" then your problems are beyond my limited scope, but if you, like most women, would perhaps bristle at your husband socking you in the jaw because you said that there were no more cookies in the house, then think about what kind of message you are sending your child.

The first time your sweet punkin hauls back and wallops you across the face, let him know in no uncertain terms that hitting people is not an acceptable manner of expressing himself. If it's not okay to hit his friends or his siblings, it certainly should not be okay to slam Mommy upside the head.

Mommies, have a little self-respect! It will not only save you a few black eyes now, it will help you raise a kind and thoughtful child who will take good care of his dear mama when she is old and gray.

Develop a "stern" look, much like the one your mother used on you when you had reached the limit. Remember that look? The look that could shut anyone up from twenty feet? The look that, if they were on the business end of it, would send neighborhood children scurrying home, suddenly remembering homework and chores they had forgotten to do? Perfect that look. Develop a series of "looks". Your "look" will serve you well, and is so much fun to do!

Yes, I'm practicing now people!

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