[Soapbox]

I've said it before, but I've got to say it again.

Be nice to your kids. Just. A. Little.

If they accidentally bite their tongue and start crying, have some sympathy. It hurts! Don't jerk them by the arm and tell them that they deserved it because they talk too much anyway. I know this is really hard to grasp, but children actually have feelings, and they are capable of being hurt. Why don't you just give them a hug? Is that so freaking hard? If they cry louder than you want, it's probably because you WON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THEM. Even a dog needs a bone every now and then. And if you can't swing a hug because you're totally coldhearted, just reach down, pat their heads, and tell them it will stop hurting in a minute. Take a second to care for somebody other than yourself.

And while we're on this topic, stop telling your kids that the policeman is going to come get him if he steps out of line. Argh! Can you see why this is wrong? No? Well let me tell you. You're making him afraid of cops and authority, for one thing. You're teaching him that a policeman is a scary thing, not someone to be trusted or called for in help. What happens when your kid gets lost or in an emergency situation? Is he going to be happy to see a cop coming? Secondly, you're trying to get someone else to do your dirty work. Your kid needs to do what you say because YOU'RE the one saying it. If you teach them to respect you, which means setting boundaries and consequences, being consistent, and get this-- MUTUAL respect (even to a preschooler), you won't need to call in somebody else to do this for you. You don't want a cop parenting your child, do you? I promise you that won't be good. Do it yourself, or that kid's going to end up disliking cops for a reason.

Good grief, people. It's so easy. And it matters so much. Get it right.

[/Soapbox]