Can we just adopt legal standards for parenting??

[cally]

I'm fairly serious. No parent can meet all the standards I've seen posted nor meet all the lawsuits I've seen. Let's see the few that I'm willing to discuss. I drove my eldest to the local store a few blocks away. I stupidly locked all the doors before I got her out. No drugs or alcohol involved but I would have been charged with child abuse except I called my husband who rushed over and unlocked the door. Well, I went to the local gas station with both kids asleep in the car. I looked at the clerk inside and decided to run in and pay rather than wake both kids and take them with me. A few hours later, there was an armed hijacking and they took a car with kids inside.

So, I insist that my kids go to the dentist every 6 months. The eldest was about to take off her braces before the ortho thought she should but I stopped her. So she goes to a new dentist who finds many cavities. Is that the parent's fault. I sent her to a bad dentist.
She, sort of, blames me for that one. So, the latest is that we should protect our kids from facebook and myspace. But, at the same time, we should honor their indepence and not be too intrusive. Umm, explain how I'm supposed to monitor myspace without being invasive?

I won't even get started on internet security but my point is that we really need to set standards for parental responsibility. I'm overwhelmed about what I should do and not do.

[NV Whino]

1. I have always thought

that potential parents should have to pass an exam before being allow to procreate. :hide:

But that's coming from some one who has chosen not to have children.


In all seriousness, these days you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Have a hug. :hug: because your kid probably isn't going to give you one for all the torture she puts you through.

[cally]

2. In some ways it would be easier, I could have passed a test

before I had children. Can I explain every decision they have made, absolutely not. But I don't think any parent should have to be responsible. We shouldn't raise robot children, but instead children/adults who question and are occasionally insane.

[Annces]

3. I would say if you are genuinely engaged with your children

and take action regarding their safety and happiness in life, then don't worry about all the hype. The news people make it their jobs to create ridiculous stories to get you to tune in.

[catnhatnh]

4. Should there be legal standards???

If there were,I would pass some and fail others.Background-3 biological children,10-12 foster children,2 step children.Now 9 grandchildren.
So write a law. My best times were vanquishing monsters and holding hands.My worst times were misunderstanding real injuries-like when a three year old was falling and I caught him by the arm and I waited two days to take him to the doctor to find out that "save" dislocated his shoulder.
Understand that parenting is normally done under the extenuating circumstances of being both really young and impecunious (broke), both of which can cause misjudgements...Most people have three children or less,so by the time you get good at it you are done...that said,I must not be a monster-those I hear from are OK...