MEME: Monday Madness - Discipline

Ms. Otto tries valiantly to cover the fact she and her “Master” visited PornCon'07 last week in Vegas with this lame excuse:

“Sorry about last week. We were off to the windy city for our daughter's freshman orientation. Thanks for playing and have a great week, everyone!” =)

1. Do you feel that children these days are disciplined enough? Judging by the behavior of children I see in public, the answer must, perforce, be “Not at all.”
2. What are your thoughts about the "time out chair?" Fine for minor infractions and to offer a “cool down” for the overwrought child. Useless beyond that as a general rule.
3. When YOU were a child, what form of discipline did your parents use most often? “NO.”
4. Did your parents have to constantly remind you of the guidelines they set for you, or did they just have to LOOK at you as a "gentle" reminder? With three boys, each about a year apart, my mother mastered the “death ray” early in the game. Father merely had to clear his throat. Beyond that, there be dragons.
5. What are your thoughts about screaming kids in public places? Parents, if you don't shut them up – I will. I AM the monster in their nightmares.
6. What do you feel is the BIGGEST mistake parents make when it comes to disciplining children? Listening to claptrap on TV. Oprah and Dr. Phil haven't a freaking clue, folks. Set boundaries, explain expectations and let no transgression go unpunished – ever. “Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.” doesn't mean you let children get away with murder; it means you strike the fear of DEATH into their little brains as soon as they can distinguish right from wrong. Earlier, actually. Let your babies know there are rules and if those rules are broken there are consequences. Often times, severe consequences. Forget about “damaging their wee minds.” The real world they will have to inhabit beyond your protective sphere of influence doesn't give a flying fig about their psyches or whether they live or die. Life is hard and life is earnest. There's no such thing as “fair.” The world simply is. For so long as you are within the gravity well of this planet, things fall on your head when you pull them down. One tantrum at work gets you fired. Period. No appeal. No second chance. One rude gesture on an LA freeway may get you killed. That is the way it is – shielding children from the harsh realities of life does them and the rest of us a terrible disservice. So stop it.

You can get your own copy of this week's questions by visiting Ms. Otto at the Monday Madness web site. You'll be glad you did when those boils on your butt heal overnight!