Comments on: Morning Metro: Atlanta’s “Sipping Scene”, Breast Cancer Walk and Free-Range Kids History

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:28:15 +0000

I will never understand the bastardization of movies I loved growing up. There have been a few good movies since the 80s, but very very few.

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:39:50 +0000

That’s why I think the moderate route in parenting is the often the wisest. The latest parenting fads, especially those with catchy names or ambitious claims, usually prove to have limitations, unintended consequences, unrealistic expectations, and/or are impossible to implement. Most good parenting experts tell you to trust your gut, meaning that you understand your children and family dynamics the best and can probably make the best decisions about how to parent, assuming no pathological issues involved. The only problem with that advice is that sometimes your gut’s signals are unclear!

By: smalltowngal

smalltowngal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:50:50 +0000

Definitely a different world, in all the ways you mention, and it offers a lot of opportunities for parents that previous generations weren’t able to enjoy. But with all due and gentle respect, what is most fulfilling for the parents isn’t always what’s best for the children when it comes to granting them some freedom and giving them chances to explore their own self-reliance and independence. I read somewhere a piece of advice (from a parent to parents), the gist of which was if your kid is lying on her back staring into space, you should go find something else to do and leave her alone. I know it’s not all or nothing, and every family has to find their own way that feels best for them. Just sayin’…

By: MrFixIt

MrFixIt — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:24:58 +0000

Good point. +1

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:19:10 +0000

Somehow I don’t think this is going to change my husband’s overprotectiveness…….

One thing to keep in mind is that it’s a lot more fun and engaging to be a parent than in the days of Donna Reed and that’s one reason parents are so involved. No longer is it just cooking oatmeal from scratch, cleaning the oven (now auto-cleaned), ironing uniforms (permanent press is the norm), etc. Donna Reed probably didn’t even get to use the one family car during the daytime when her husband needed it for work. Plus people now delay marriage and kids until they are really sure that’s what they want. I have actually loved all the Mommy and me classes for the little ones, school volunteering, walk and roll, whatever. Mothers used to stay at home with 4-6 kids but were too busy with the housework, cooking, cleaning, logistics to be as involved with their children’s activities as they probably wanted to be. Stay at home Moms were literally stuck inside the home as opposed to choosing to be there!