Do parents spend enough time with their children

[Hdestiny1234]

I would like to pose a question. I am 26 and have no children. I am conducting a project on teenage suicide and during the course of my research have come across the question as to whether parents are quick to dismiss their children or put them onto someone else as opposed to twenty - thirty years ago when a mother would stay home and look after their children. I have no personal experience on this subject so I sit on the fence. Some insight would be of great use!

[CARLA]

Some do and lots don't. Some should never be allowed to be parents. You see there are no College courses or High School courses teaching us how to be good parents. We seem to think all of us are cut out for the job. nothing is further from the truth.
Studies have shown that children that have their parents time to a greater extent turn out to be better citizens and parents themselves. Sure kids survive not having good parents but at what cost??

Children only need several things to become good adults and their parents time is at the top of the list. All the other things money, toys, do little for their childs growth our time is what they really want and need.

[Lon]

I am a grandparent and in September I will be a great grandparent. My observation of parenting in the past few years is that todays young parents do not spend enough of the right kind of time with their kids. Sitting down for meals as a family for example. Instead, it seems to be catch as catch can. The kids grab or or are given something and they are off to eat and watch TV or play Video Games while mom is chatting away on her cell and dad has already eaten and is in the garage with his hobby.

[hoppy]

Is it all the parents? We are quick to blame parents for every bobble in a child's life. I blame electronics, modern education and sports.
Having spent the first 20 years of life in the 1940's and '50's, I can say we had it much better without Video games, cell phones, TV's in every room, dozens of sports we could take part in, hours of homework every night, etc. We played outdoors, read, played board games, listened to the radio. The family did those things together, not just the kids.
Schools today teach crap all day then send loads of work home with the kids. Usetawas, teachers taught us in classes, we had study periods to do our work in, graduated knowing how to read, write legibly, do some math in our heads and other useful things.
Today, the highschool in my town offers most every sport known in the free world. Some kids are involved in several sports, added to all the homework, part time jobs and any other extra activity you can think of. They are simply burning out without getting to be kids.

[qsducks]

Originally Posted by Lon

I am a grandparent and in September I will be a great grandparent. My observation of parenting in the past few years is that todays young parents do not spend enough of the right kind of time with their kids. Sitting down for meals as a family for example. Instead, it seems to be catch as catch can. The kids grab or or are given something and they are off to eat and watch TV or play Video Games while mom is chatting away on her cell and dad has already eaten and is in the garage with his hobby.

We make it a point to sit down for dinner together and catch up on the day's events, etc. Adn yes, to many parents rely on the tv as a babysitter.

[mrsK]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Is it all the parents? We are quick to blame parents for every bobble in a child's life. I blame electronics, modern education and sports.
Who buys these for the kids in the first place?



Having spent the first 20 years of life in the 1940's and '50's, I can say we had it much better without Video games, cell phones, TV's in every room, dozens of sports we could take part in, hours of homework every night, etc. We played outdoors, read, played board games, listened to the radio. The family did those things together, not just the kids.
It's up to the parents to make this happen
Schools today teach crap all day then send loads of work home with the kids. Usetawas, teachers taught us in classes, we had study periods to do our work in, graduated knowing how to read, write legibly, do some math in our heads and other useful things.

The teachers don't set what has to be taught .Doing homework with your kids is spending time with them. Time to talk about the events of the day & showing them you take an interest in their lives
Today, the highschool in my town offers most every sport known in the free world. Some kids are involved in several sports, added to all the homework, part time jobs and any other extra activity you can think of. They are simply burning out without getting to be kids.I agree with the sport thing,to much focus on sport & not enough on learning

These are all my personal opinions I am not picking your ideas to bits just adding what I think

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by mrsK

These are all my personal opinions I am not picking your ideas to bits just adding what I think

Thank you all for your input.

[scholle-kid]

Originally Posted by Lon

I am a grandparent and in September I will be a great grandparent. My observation of parenting in the past few years is that todays young parents do not spend enough of the right kind of time with their kids. Sitting down for meals as a family for example. Instead, it seems to be catch as catch can. The kids grab or or are given something and they are off to eat and watch TV or play Video Games while mom is chatting away on her cell and dad has already eaten and is in the garage with his hobby.

Lon hit it right on the money IMO,,,
I am a grandma of 3 small children and Lon is so right about "the right kind of time " being spent with kids these days,
Mom is to busy doing what mom wants and dad is either to tired or to busy relaxing and the kids are watching thier favorite dvd's playing favorite games on the PC,,

[JAB]

I think sitting down to eat dinner as a family is a lost art.

When I was younger, I spent my summers down in the park and at the swimming pool. My mom had one rule - play outside as long as you want but you'd better be home for dinner when dad got home from work. Besides the awesome meals, it was where we shared our day with each other. Dad talked about work and us kids would share what we did all day. No one ever thought about turning the TV on.

[Predator Prevention]

Originally Posted by Hdestiny1234

I would like to pose a question. I am 26 and have no children. I am conducting a project on teenage suicide and during the course of my research have come across the question as to whether parents are quick to dismiss their children or put them onto someone else as opposed to twenty - thirty years ago when a mother would stay home and look after their children. I have no personal experience on this subject so I sit on the fence. Some insight would be of great use!

In my spare time I help to fight against online predators, and youth violence. I can tell you now that with technology filling in gaps for busy parents, it has been much easier for them to dismiss goings on in their daily life. If you're interested in getting more info. go to my The Myspace Neighborhood Watch page at Myspace.com/asienna