Discuss a quote: The problem with parents...

People think I hate children, but it’s not true. They are well annoying, no doubt about it. They are dirty and loud and selfish and expensive and generally unlikeable, but I don’t hate children.

Because I just don’t blame them.

It’s parents I hate, and here’s why...

There was a time, perhaps long, long ago, during which teachers were respected members of their local community. They were trained, qualified and people valued their advice. People looked up to them.

Parents respected them.

Something has gone very wrong in recent years.  Parents now talk about ‘Parents’ Rights’ and see themselves as customers, or clients. They are not.  They are inexperienced amateurs guessing their way through child rearing. They are not qualified to make decisions, they are not experienced, they are not trained.

And there would be nothing wrong with that; that would be fine, were it not for the fact that they seem to believe that the very fact that they have conceived a child makes them an expert on children.

They say things like “He’s my child. I know best!” And sometimes that is no doubt true, but not always.

They say things like “Don’t you tell me how to bring up my child!” and sometimes that is valid. But not always.

And they say things like “If you were a parent, you'd say the same thing" and sometimes that is relevant, but not always.

I should add that this is not all parents.  Only the most moronic and aggressive, usually. But in my line of work, I hear it a lot.  And every time, I have to bite my tongue.

Now, sadly, they very fact of having a child means that you are automatically right about everything to do with that child. That you can do no wrong and that every decision you make is sacrosanct because it is your child and you cannot be questioned.  You cannot be mistaken.

You are beyond reproach and beyond accountability.

YOU ARE A PARENT.

And yet, so many manage to get it so, so wrong.

Most parents are fine. They do their best, and muddle through. You only get two or three goes at it, generally, so you don’t get to hone your art. And that’s okay. Mistakes are expected- you learn as you go.

But don’t go thinking that your every decision is the only one; that other ideas, opinions and suggestions are irrelevant. Don’t go thinking that you know best, in every situation, regardless of prior experience, irrespective of circumstances and contrary to advice. You don’t always have the answer, and being the parent does not always make you right.

Having a child makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist.