USA, Canada /
Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]
Its a cultural issue IMO. Strong family values etc.. Its a good thing, i mean better that than the middle ground or opposite - right.
no, I don't mean family values or culture. We have a very close family- we enjoy spending time together. my kids don't turn into t.v. or video game zombies- we do stuff.
This is my observation after being married to a Polish guy for 13 years, having 2 girls and living in Poland for 9.
Mothers baby their boys. They think they are doing them a favour but they are creating sucky, whiney, bratty boys that cry at the drop of a hat. In Canada you would NEVER see little boys running around in tights. boys wear long johns. tights are for girls. You do not see 9 year old boys being spoon fed by their mothers. never.
as soon as my kids could sit up by themselves they were feeding themselves. This was a huge battle between my mother in law and me. She would spoon feed my kids. The Polish mentality is that they want the kids to eat and be healthy- but they are taking away the desire for independence by not allowing a child to feed themselves.
I do understand that many parents now, generation x'ers like me, remember communism and they want to give their kids the best, but ultimately what they are creating are spoiled, whiney, bratty, unlikeable kids who have no respect for anybody.
The best thing you can do for your kids, besides love them, is to help them to become independent critical thinkers. My eldest was being harassed by a bratty spoiled boy in her class- he would hit her, kick her, throw her stuff around- she fought back with words and made him cry. Now she doesn't get picked on by him and she sticks up for others when they are being bullied.
There is a sense of pride in oneself in knowing that you have a strong character and you are able to stand up for yourself.
pip: I have two hockey playing strong girls that could kick the panties off any of these sucky boys.
This is very much a typical NA female trait: "my kids are tougher than your kids"...maybe focus on how constructive your children can be be as opposed to destructive.
that is not what I mean. My kids are in no way destructive but they can be certain that if they are picked on they will be able to stand up for themselves instead of crying in a corner.
my kids are not violent nor aggressive. That is not what I mean. We are teaching our kids to want to succeed and strive for more. Be it in sports, education or whatever. I have nice kids and that is something that I am most proud of. Every teachers meeting the teachers compliment us how nice our kids are and how they treat others.
That is all I can hope for. to be conscious of the world around them.
sorry----back to topic.
