Do you agree with the phrase 'Children should be seen, not heard.'

Not quite.

To a point. Too many kids are not being taught respect or manners. Probably because their parents weren't either. For example, it does really bug me when I'm speaking with another adult and they let their child constantly interrupt. Also, a household shouldn't be a democracy. The parents need to be in charge. They're children...not little adults. That doesn't mean the kids feelings/opinions can't be considered but they can't be allowed to run things. Cherish your children but don't handicap them by letting them have their way all the time.

I don't agree, but I'm not mad at the sentiment.

It depends on what they have to say.

I have never like the phrase. To me it indicates kids should just sit and look cute and not have any voice at all.

I agree with what Al said. Parents should never let kids feel free to interrupt or call the shots. But they should have input in any situation parents make them privy to.

RedBedroom wrote:

I have never like the phrase. To me it indicates kids should just sit and look cute and not have any voice at all.

I agree with what Al said. Parents should never let kids feel free to interrupt or call the shots. But they should have input in any situation parents make them privy to.

I truly believe that kids should be engaged in open dialogue with adults. talk to them as if they were adults, and you will have a better relationship with them, and when your daughter gets pregnant, or your son gets caught doing something stupid, they will be able to come to you for support and advice rather than hiding things from you out of fear.

Of course, one should still be a parent, but why not teach your child through your own conversations/openess

Alan Smithee wrote:

To a point. Too many kids are not being taught respect or manners. Probably because their parents weren't either. For example, it does really bug me when I'm speaking with another adult and they let their child constantly interrupt. Also, a household shouldn't be a democracy. The parents need to be in charge. They're children...not little adults. That doesn't mean the kids feelings/opinions can't be considered but they can't be allowed to run things. Cherish your children but don't handicap them by letting them have their way all the time.

Yep!

Alan Smithee wrote:

To a point. Too many kids are not being taught respect or manners. Probably because their parents weren't either. For example, it does really bug me when I'm speaking with another adult and they let their child constantly interrupt. Also, a household shouldn't be a democracy. The parents need to be in charge. They're children...not little adults. That doesn't mean the kids feelings/opinions can't be considered but they can't be allowed to run things. Cherish your children but don't handicap them by letting them have their way all the time.