In part, I think it's TV.  We just got it turned on this weekend.  We haven't had it for an entire year.  We sold our house, moved into a rental for several months and just didn't have it turned on.  When we moved into our new house, we just didn't miss it.  This weekend, the satelite company called and they'd been billing us for the past six months.  There'd been a mix up.  Anyway, long story short, they dropped the bill since we hadn't had satelite.  But, my husband had it turned back on.  The kids watched some TV this weekend and they were just mean.  Lots of snarky comments.  And all the adults were portrayed as bumbling idiots, I thought. 

I know TV is not the biggest problem.  And there are some really great shows.  But, I wasn't impressed with what they saw on Disney or Nickolodeon. 

I also hate how the smart kids are always portrayed as the nerds.  I don't want my kids to think there is anything negative about being smart. 

What do you think is causing it?

Well, I think it's a combination of things.  TV definitely being one of them.  I agree the adults are portrayed as dumb, and the kids make lots of sarcastic, rude comments.  Yup, even on Disney.  But even more than that, I think it's the parents of a lot of kids don't monitor what they're watching.  I also think there's a lack of discipline.  When I was going to school I had to take a lot of human science classes.  They advocated letting your child make their own choices, never using the word NO (you know, make it a positive statement).  Yes, I think kids should have choices...for sure.  But limited choices.  I think some parents take it as letting the kids run the show.  And then, even at my work, we are not allowed to do anything that will make a child feel bad.  That includes taking things away, or using stickers as "bribery"...we are supposed to redirect and we can talk to the parents.  Redirecting is great for younger kids, but for school age?  And talking to the parents?  Most of them know their parents aren't going to do anything.  And, really, why behave if there are no consequences?  And this idea of redirecting is in all child care centers...because it's coming from child development people, and this is what they think works.  I'm not saying you should beat your kids or anything.  Not at all!  But there does have to be some sort of consequence. 

Whoops, sorry.  Didn't mean to go off on that.  Overall, I think kids are just allowed to do more, and feel that they are entitled to more.  Not ALL kids, but quite a few.

I'm all for natural consequences.  And I think it helps them make better descions.  I'm not even a spanker.  But seriously, sometimes you need a carrot to dangle to get them interested.  I don't care if it is bribery.  And sometimes there needs to be a punishment.  You don't have to "cane" them, but you should be able to remove a priveledge or something. 

My youngest is in preschool, and they have an apple tree in his room.  Each child has a paper apple on the tree.  They are sent home at the end of the week and if they don't have any "worm holes" then they behaved.  If their apples are punched, there's a note on the back telling you why.  They do NOT want that hole. 

Also, if they are caught being good, they get a "smelly."  Why this thrills them so much is beyond me.  A smelly is when the teacher puts chapstick on their wrist.  They have several flavors and the kids love smelling like they've been good.

Half the time, I don't think parents demand respect.They don't respect each other and the kids don't see it modeled. 

There are so many reasons for the behavior of kids now, that it would be hard to hang it on just one thing.  How are y'all handling discipline? If there was a big problem with my child, sure I'd want to hear about it so I could fix it.  But, if it's something minor, I say fix it when they are there.  I bet y'all have to ignore a lot more because you hate to talk to the parents about every little incident.  That's got to be maddening! Not doing the kids any favors either. 

At work we use natural consequences and redirection.  If they throw blocks at some one, they have to leave that center and choose another one.  That sort of thing.  But we're not allowed to take away any privileges...you know, no sitting out a recess or time outs or anything.  Anyways, it works for some kids.  Our problem is a lot of kids don't want to be redirected.  So they hit or kick or throw more things.  We have to write up incidents like that.  Some kids get upset that their parents are going to get a write up, but many others say, "So?  Tell my mom.  She's not going to do anything."  And you know what?  They're right.  It pretty much sucks.  I'm not perfect by any means!  But if my kids do something at school, they get privileges taken away, depending on the seriousness of the behavior.  They know it, so it does help to keep them in line a bit.

By the way, I so enjoy talking to you through BlogFrog and your blog!  You're awesome!

You are the sweetest thing!  I have really enjoyed getting to know you too!  I loved your interview with your boys!  They are so cute! 

I feel like I'm really getting an education from your blog.  And it's great!  You seem like such a great mom!  I'm glad we've "met!"

I am not like a crazy mom or anything, but my kids DO NOT want to have the teacher's tell me something negative.  Because there are most certainly consequences.  Now, the punishment fits the crime.  If it's not a big deal, and it was handled at school, we might just talk about it.  I really like it when they actually see why they shouldn't have made the poor descion.  Whatever it is.  It makes them less likely to repeat it. 

I've got a friend who's son was repeatedly getting in trouble at preschool.  His grandmother picked him up every day.  They came up with the best idea.  The grandmother kept a paper plate in the car, along with some stickers.  If he got a good report, he got a sticker on his plate.  When the plate is filled with stickers, he and his grandmother go out for ice cream.  She said, it turned his behavior around really quickly.  And it didn't take away priveledges.

Hope you're having a great Easter!  We're about to dye eggs and then go to my husband's family egg hunt. (10 grandkids) should be fun!