I guess the real answer to these issues is that the home be a supportive, disciplined one. What we need are for ALL parents, no matter the circumstances, so take parenting seriously . . . . stop being their children's friend and start teaching them when they are young. Children need to be held accountable for their actions from young on up. This is how my parents raised me, and God bless them for it. I thought it was a tough life, but I am doing the same with my own children. We want to give our kids everything, but what we do when we do that is teach them that they don't have to earn anything. We grew up poor, therefor I know how to budget. We had chores, therefor I know responsibility. We went through tough times, therefor I know how important family is. I think our children are missing out on so much . . . . because we protect them from so much. Does that sound silly?

I agree with you 100 percent and it is not silly. You do not realize the amount of irresponsible parents I see everyday at my college. They do not teach their children anything but how cursing is funny and they will give them anything to make them be quiet. I agree that people have become irresponsible parents and that needs to change because the generation that I am growing up in sucks.

It has been my experience that motherhood is a scary balancing act. :o) My child and I are friends. But, I am definitely the parent. And, although she has chores, she has way fewer than I had when I was a kid. But, I think I had too many responsibilities when I was a kid. Not to put down my parents' parenting at all. But I want my child to be responsible, just not weighed down by her responsibilities. But, yes. I do think we have to teach accountability, the value of family, respect, budgeting, and most importantly the awesomeness of God's love for them...and us!

The scariest part is that we won't know if we made the best choices until our kids are about 40! And, then it's too late to "tweak" our parenting style! Thank goodness for grandchildren! :o)

Happy Easter!

I have always liked a quote I heard, "God's love prepares. It doesn't pamper." I think a parent's love needs to be the same.