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Spare the rod? Spoil the child?

4/10/2013

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By Bruce

Now, just to ensure I am not misleading anyone, the bible technically doesn't say, "spare the rod, spoil the child." But since everyone is familiar with the saying, I felt like it was fitting. (see Proverbs 13:24 or 23:13-14).

Late last week a father posted a video of him beating his two daughters for making an online video of themselves twerking! (if you don't know what twerking is then look it up!).

So is he a bad parent for spanking his kids? Is whooping your kid ever necessary? Is putting your kid on time out the best approach? When physical discipline was allowed in schools and by your neighbors, did we have a more well behaved youth? Or did we create a society of violence?

I grew up in a household where we received spankings all of the time. My dad was raised that way, my dad's dad was raised that way, therefore I was raised that way.

While timeouts and other disciplinary methods work for some parents and is encouraged by some child psychologists, other research shows corporal punishment forms more well-adjusted people later in life.

According to Physician magazine, "spanking should be used selectively for clear, deliberate misbehavior, especially a child's persistent defiance of a parent. Spanking works, but must be used thoughtfully and carefully in conjunction with other disciplinary measures."

In my opinion, COMMUNICATION in conjunction with progressive steps of discipline must go hand in hand.

When we were young, back in the day when we walked to school uphill both ways in the snow with no shoes on, we were spanked and that was it. (But, some of us had parents that spoke to us with each whip..."Didn't...I...Tell...You...). Once the spanking was over, there was no closure. Luckily, I understood my Dad completely. My sister on the other hand...not so much. (that is a whole separate blog so we won't go into my sister's life today...LOVE YOU SIS)

Fast forward to today. I have 3 beautiful, well behaved children that listen to me and listen well. I make sure they understand why they are being disciplined and at times asked them if they deserved a "shamwowpow." (aka spanking). If they said yes, I would ask how many and they would get exactly that. At times if they said none, I wouldn't do it at all.

In the end, I made sure they understood why discipline needed to happen and made sure that they knew I loved them. Ultimately, I use discipline as a way to "get their attention." If parents are dysfunctional and beat their kids out of habit or frustration from their own lives, then that's a problem.

Ultimately, what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger! (it might make you bitter too...if that's the case, when will you let it go and remember what you should have learned?)
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On Race, Racism and Country Music

4/9/2013

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By Monika

I am about to tell everyone why they should relax about this Brad Paisley/LL Cool J song... No Really...

Here's the thing: "Accidental Racist" isn't racist. I understand what Ta-Nehisi Coates is saying, Really I do. But...

It's ridiculous, sad, devoid of any reality,and above all, just horrible. But racist is kind of a stretch. 

OK Pressing Play... 
To the man that waited on me at the Starbucks down on Main, I hope you understand
When I put on that t-shirt, the only thing I meant to say is I'm a Skynyrd fan
The red flag on my chest somehow is like the elephant in the corner of the south
And I just walked him right in the room
Just a proud rebel son with an 'ol can of worms
Lookin' like I got a lot to learn but from my point of view

PAUSE...


Hey You, The guy that called him a racist... I blame you for this song... and everything that's wrong with it. 

Playing the chorus... 
I'm just a white man comin' to you from the southland
Tryin' to understand what it's like not to be
I'm proud of where I'm from but not everything we've done
And it ain't like you and me can re-write history
Our generation didn't start this nation
We're still pickin' up the pieces, walkin' on eggshells, fightin' over yesterday
And caught between southern pride and southern blame

STOP!!!    sigh... Just stop it... Here's the problem..

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