Anonymous
03/17/2026 12:07
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Parents are uptight about activities, grades, and social schedules in this sub, yet let their kids play dangerous sports, go to sleepovers, leave them home alone, and let them roam neighborhoods all in elementary.
I think a lot of the elder millennials want their child to have a similar childhood they had, but that's just not realistic. People drive crazier, I wouldn't let my kids bike in the neighborhood roads the way I used to. We know the risks of sleepovers. And I bet half these kids staying home alone can't give their sibling CPR if they choke on a snack or know not to put water on a grease fire...
They are uptight about social status stuff, and don't care about the actual safety of their children. It's like they are little social props.
Yes. That's what children are in affluent areas. You can see this in the babies forum where people blithely put their infants in daycare all day so they can do a status job instead of bonding with their child. Raising a happy loved child who feels safe and is kept safe confers no status points at any age.
Now go read the adult children forum where people complain about their maladjusted "loser" children. Few people here understand cause and effect.
I think you'll find a lot of those kids were babied by their mommies and not allowed to become independent teens. But anyway don't make this about the mommy wars. I thought we were over that. Have some security in your choices. It's okay to be a SAHM without bashing working mothers, and same goes for the other way around.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 12:05
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
I think we all knew those kids in college who came from overprotective households where they had no independence. They were the ones passing out at parties and being sent to the hospital to get their stomachs pumped. Don't let that be your kid. Arm them with the tools they need to be successful when they grow up.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 12:00
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Anonymous wrote:Besides all the other silly premises... the idea that neighborhood surroundings (drivers, people, etc) are any different now then they were 30 years ago is plain dumb. The issue is kids being over-nannied and not given opportunities to learn, making them awkward and not able to handle a simple bike ride or a few hours home alone.
I disagree with OP on almost everything, however I do think there are more cars/trucks in our neighborhoods now due to delivery culture.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 11:59
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Anonymous wrote:Parents are uptight about activities, grades, and social schedules in this sub, yet let their kids play dangerous sports, go to sleepovers, leave them home alone, and let them roam neighborhoods all in elementary.
I think a lot of the elder millennials want their child to have a similar childhood they had, but that's just not realistic. People drive crazier, I wouldn't let my kids bike in the neighborhood roads the way I used to. We know the risks of sleepovers. And I bet half these kids staying home alone can't give their sibling CPR if they choke on a snack or know not to put water on a grease fire...
They are uptight about social status stuff, and don't care about the actual safety of their children. It's like they are little social props.
Get help.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 11:54
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Anonymous wrote:Parents are uptight about activities, grades, and social schedules in this sub, yet let their kids play dangerous sports, go to sleepovers, leave them home alone, and let them roam neighborhoods all in elementary.
I think a lot of the elder millennials want their child to have a similar childhood they had, but that's just not realistic. People drive crazier, I wouldn't let my kids bike in the neighborhood roads the way I used to. We know the risks of sleepovers. And I bet half these kids staying home alone can't give their sibling CPR if they choke on a snack or know not to put water on a grease fire...
They are uptight about social status stuff, and don't care about the actual safety of their children. It's like they are little social props.
Yes. That's what children are in affluent areas. You can see this in the babies forum where people blithely put their infants in daycare all day so they can do a status job instead of bonding with their child. Raising a happy loved child who feels safe and is kept safe confers no status points at any age.
Now go read the adult children forum where people complain about their maladjusted "loser" children. Few people here understand cause and effect.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 11:12
Subject: Re:Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Anonymous wrote:By dangerous sports I mean dirt bikes, equestrian riding, football.
I did let my daughter take a few equestrian lessons once, but left once I researched the risks and we witnessed a girl break her collarbone. So I get wanting to give your kids experiences, but there's a point where it's not worth the risk.
๐ฉ
Anonymous
03/17/2026 10:37
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Oof, the smugness is going both ways in this thread. It's smugly overprotective parents versus smugly free-range parents. No thank you, backing away now.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 10:34
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Besides all the other silly premises... the idea that neighborhood surroundings (drivers, people, etc) are any different now then they were 30 years ago is plain dumb. The issue is kids being over-nannied and not given opportunities to learn, making them awkward and not able to handle a simple bike ride or a few hours home alone.
Hard disagree.
+1 for examine They didn't commonly have huge SUVs that you can't see over so good never know of there's a child in front of your vehicle
Anonymous
03/17/2026 09:23
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Anonymous wrote:Well, this is a new one. Because I let my kids bike and have of attend sleepovers, they were my โsocial props.โ
Iโll have to tell them when they come home on college break, so we can have a good ๐๐.
I mean OP probably is horrified you let them go off to college instead of continuing to live with you. It was just for the bragging rights, I assume, since your kids are just social props!
Anonymous
03/17/2026 09:20
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Well, this is a new one. Because I let my kids bike and have of attend sleepovers, they were my โsocial props.โ
Iโll have to tell them when they come home on college break, so we can have a good ๐๐.
Iโll have to tell them when they come home on college break, so we can have a good ๐๐.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 09:19
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
OPs kids will never talk to her again after they go to college for being such a freak. Free at last!
Anonymous
03/17/2026 09:16
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
I wonder what it is like to go through life so smugly.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 09:16
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
OP I actually think anxious parents like you are what's ruining our kids' childhood. You're probably one of the moms that protested kids walking home at my elementary school. I live 4 houses down from the school! I think anxiety is like a disease that's spreading from parents who can't take charge of their own mental health. When kids grow up with zero responsibility or freedom, they are stunted adults. Like Gen Z is.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 09:13
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Yep this is me: "Parents are uptight about activities, grades, and social schedules in this sub, yet let their kids play dangerous sports, go to sleepovers, leave them home alone, and let them roam neighborhoods all in elementary."
My kids don't play dangerous sports, but I see nothing wrong with sleepovers. Best times in my childhood were at sleepovers. Kids are safer being home alone than driving in their parents' car. I also think roaming the neighborhood is healthy and safe.
OP why are you living in dangerous places where your kids can't walk outside?? You should move.
My kids don't play dangerous sports, but I see nothing wrong with sleepovers. Best times in my childhood were at sleepovers. Kids are safer being home alone than driving in their parents' car. I also think roaming the neighborhood is healthy and safe.
OP why are you living in dangerous places where your kids can't walk outside?? You should move.
Anonymous
03/17/2026 09:11
Subject: Elementary forum makes me realize how little parents care about the right things
Anonymous wrote:Besides all the other silly premises... the idea that neighborhood surroundings (drivers, people, etc) are any different now then they were 30 years ago is plain dumb. The issue is kids being over-nannied and not given opportunities to learn, making them awkward and not able to handle a simple bike ride or a few hours home alone.
Hard disagree.