Welcome to Gaia! ::

@ Pen: Exactly. See, kids are like little sponges! Like, um. . "Monkey see, Monkey do"! You have to be EXTREMELY careful with how you are, what you do, and so on. I've had some practice with my friends' little siblings, my little cousins, and even my neighbour's little Toddler (who is SUPER adorable, by the way!), and in order to get respect you have to project to the kids that you respect them. Kids are super easy to handle if you know what you're doing (lol and purposely don't express that you hate anything under 5'0" XD).

@ Jay: See, I know for sure that when I become a parent, I'm going to make sure my kids grow up in an encouraging environment. I've been playing with this idea in my head: My son/daughter comes home with their report card/progress report, and they have a C or two on there. My strategy would be, ":O! Good job! Let's tape this to the fridge!" then encourage them to go for a better grade. Like, maybe say something along the lines of, "Wouldn't it be AWESOME if you got, like, a C+? Or even a B- next time?? That would be sweet. You could SO do it!" Not exactly like that, but something close to it.

I won't be a teacher for a profession for sure. Parent down the line but if I have to teach when I develop carpel tunnel and can't draw anymore; all get my masters and become a professor.

Anyway it seems you really thought it out Styk. I would just remind them to do their very best and you can't put a grade on that. They do but also making sure they also know if they are in a bind they should ask for help. Like a C+ was the best they could do but could do better if Papa helped them with their algebra homework.

@Pen: I understand what you mean. There's been plenty of parents that don't find it necessary as they feel it's just a "phase" the kid is going through. The smallest toddler I take care of is a handful, her attitude is a bit stronger than her sister. But when she acts out me and her sit together and I tell her how wrong it was. She's only three, but she's an unelieveably smart kid. She makes up all these stories and talks about people with boyfriends, what workouts she has learned. It just comes to show you that kids learn from what they see and hear. And I think that if were to want my kid to know whats right from wrong or show respect and some enthusiasm in there education (because a little amount of kids do) I'd have to portray that in my household, not only just tell them, it's showing them that you are being honest with them and not just telling them because "I said so".

@antique & waffle: Kids do get spoiled, and that later on becomes a difficulty when they fail to see the hard work it takes to earn those things. I should know from experience. As a kid i was never spoiled nor given things just because I asked. The only way I did was if I did small chores around the house, or washed the dishes. Lol, they would sometimes give me a dollar every friday and I would save it up in my piggy bank. It took me f o r e v e r to save up, but I did learn that money didn't fall from trees. Plus seeing them work their arses off to get where they are now, has shaped me who I am today. Grades were never a token for a prize in my family. I still had to get good grades because it was more my future, not theirs.
I will say I was spanked only once in my entire childhood. And it was because I threw a huge tantrum in a toy store. I kicked and screamed and rolled around the store. I do think I deserved that spank, It really was a nasty act out. After that I never acted out that way again. Kids do need the balance, you have to look at the kid itself and see who they are and what their mentality is. Because you could be spanking a child and traumatizing them who merely needs talking to and they'd understand. Then there are some that are a little rougher and more difficult to get through with words. A tap on the bottom snaps them out. Some people cross that fine line up to the point that it's abusive (hitting them on the head, back, or any other place that could cause damage is a no). I don't think I'll ever spank my kids though, it's just not my thing.
Parents should always be open with their children. Communication is a huge key here. Especially when they're growing up. That includes sex, and the way their bodies will be changing. So protecting their kid from the world is not a good idea. And it's better to arm them with morals and your words of wisdom with bullying, crushes, drugs, school, etc. I don't want my kids to learn from strangers.

@Angel: The fact that you have all this planned out scares me a little. lol heart

EDIT: I'm not sure if raine has met gwen >.< I'll look through it!

@ Angel: What's this? what's this? Do I hear a baby hint? ninja

@ Angel: lol, agreed 3nodding

@ Angel: lol!!! YES!! Of course I get it! >P

@ The A Couple: You are guys are soo cute. 4laugh And you sure do roleplay beautifully together. I'm loving the Diary work.