A word of caution to new and prospective parents

[Orrex]

Do not teach your children to "question everything."

Know why?

Because what they're actually hearing--regardless of what you say--is "question everything your parents tell you, but don't under any circumstances question anything or anyone else."

So when you tell them not to jump on the kitchen table or superglue the cat or pour juice in the flatscreen, you'll get stuck in an infinite series of "but why?" questions/responses.

However...

When a classmate or neighbor kid or cartoon character tells them to pee on the school bus or eat the crayons or cut off half of their hair, they'll do it instantly and without a moment's reflection.



I'm sure that some well-meaning parent will provide a counter-example about how the "question everything" mantra has turned their kids into active, engaged citizens, but for each example of such a child, there are five or ten million who have half a pound of pennies shoved up their noses.

[hayu_lol]

1. If they are new or prospective parents...

their offspring will not understand a word of it. Later, much later, discussions can be accomplished sitting around a table.

[Burma Jones]

2. We have a button attached to our 'Fridge. It says:

Question Authority, but not your Mother.

When my Kids ask me a disingenuous question, I give them a very long and wandering answer.


They have ceased the disingenuous questioning.

[seabeyond]

3. bah hahaha. i hear ya. there is a very healthy, important, survival balance. nt