Anonymous wrote:Rolling my eyes--why do parents in the DC area think that their kids are difficult discipline because they are so smart? I would think that a more intelligent child would be able to grasp why certain types of behavior are acceptable and unacceptable and possess the determination to act rationally most of the time.

What on earth would give you the impression that this (or any parenting or other behavior) is exclusive to the DC area?

It seems as if every difficult kid is in that way because they have a avery "high IQ" ...did all the PP test their 3 yo IQ? And how come there are so many "high IQ" kids in the district? Seriously, people, your kids are just badly behaved, yes they may be smart, but even "high IQ" kids can be disciplined.

I've had people gossip to me about how somebody else's child is a brat and all I can think is Pull the plank from your own eye before complaining about the speck in somebody else's. OP, I'm sure your kids never act up, ever.

I agree with OP. And I don't think her criticism is directed at parents of difficult children who are trying to rein them in. At least they're trying, and I for one will always give a sympathetic smile or comment to a parent who's just being pushed to the limit by their kid. Been there. But I have NO patience witht the parents who don't even try to discipline their child because it would make him or her "upset" or because they're "spirited" or "brilliant." Puhleeeze. It really does have consequences. My kids are older now, and I can tell you that the kids who were like this at 7 or 8 are now having trouble in school and making friends, and their parents are always blaming it on everyone else. "Oh, the school just doesn't know how to deal with active boys" "Oh, little Johnny is so bright that he's bored" "Oh, I'm so glad that Susie is so assertive." No folks, for the most part, your kids are having problems because you wouldn't step up and be an adult when they were little.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe your high IQ kids have oppositional defiance disorder and aren't just acting out because they are so much smarter than everyone else.

Geez. My parents had five kids with IQs over 140, and none of us treated them so disrespectfully.

It just sounds like a massive rationalization. Please note that I'm not saying that you have poor parentings skills. It isn't a judgment on your parenting at all. Some kids have actual psychological disorders that warrant treatment, and that should be considered.

Really stinks to be the sixth, huh? Sorry for your bad luck - are you at least better looking or more athletic than your siblings?

Well, apparently the "wit" gene doesn't run in your family.

New poster here, I thought it was pretty damn funny.

You must not be one of the "IQ of 140+" posters, then.

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I'm a novice at this game - with my oldest only 5. So I often seek advice from my pals who have already been there/done that. And all of them have told me that when children are polite outside of the home (at a play date, at the store, at school, etc.) but act out at home, that's usually the sign of a kid who's under control.

Kids need to push limits. Hell, we do it as adults. But to push at home is fine b/c they know that it's "safe."

I take comfort in these exact thoughts, especially after the past few days of flying solo with 23 mos twins. We were all climbing the walls and they pushed me to my limits of patience and sanity. But when a neighbor came over the play with them for a little while yesterday afternoon to give me a break, they were truly angelic. Please and thank you, smiles and hugs. My neighbor, who is TTC asked me if they were always this happy and what my secrets were. Ha! We are far from perfect, but it seems that my consistency, though exhausting, is paying off.

I also think there is a very, very strong correlation between well rested and well behaved children (and parents, for that matter). Some friends and family think I'm almost militant about sleep for my kids, but I know that late bedtimes or missed naps will lead to more whining and tantrums.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:rolling my eyes at the judgemental people who have nothing better to do than complain about other people's children

If your children kept to themselves it would be ok, but too often they don't. They take the behavior to their schools, teams, and playgrounds. Your problem becomes our problem.

Makes it hard to enjoy the company of people you were friends with before everyone had kids. It's sad to lose those friendships but I can only take so much of their children.

Anonymous wrote:rolling my eyes at the judgemental people who have nothing better to do than complain about other people's children

If your children kept to themselves it would be ok, but too often they don't. They take the behavior to their schools, teams, and playgrounds. Your problem becomes our problem.

Anonymous wrote:Rolling my eyes--why do parents in the DC area think that their kids are difficult discipline because they are so smart? I would think that a more intelligent child would be able to grasp why certain types of behavior are acceptable and unacceptable and possess the determination to act rationally most of the time.

Seriously...I can't believe how many moms of FIVE year olds mention how high their kids IQs are...How in the world do you even *know* what your kids IQ is??? My child is 4 and it never even occurred to me to get his IQ tested. What is wrong with these parents???

In any case, also agree it is an excuse for parents of kids they know have discipline issues.

rolling my eyes at the judgemental people who have nothing better to do than complain about other people's children

My brother and I were very smart with IQs well over 140. We would have never spit on our parents, told them to f-off or anything else I've seen my friends' kids do. These 'smart' kids have realized they can do anything that want and Mom won't react. If a 'smart' kid knew the wrath of god would come down of him for doing one of these things, he wouldn't do it. Ask any teacher, every parent thinks they are raising a genuis and most are not.

Anonymous wrote:Op here again. I have to say many of the parents who do not discipline their kids will say they want their children to be "happy". I have never met a out of control happy child or even an adult for that matter. If you don't teach your child how to behavior and what's acceptable in this world, you set them up for a lifetime of not getting it. Teachers can't deal with the kid, employers can deal with them later. It's a form of neglect in my mind.

Well put, OP!

Rolling my eyes--why do parents in the DC area think that their kids are difficult discipline because they are so smart? I would think that a more intelligent child would be able to grasp why certain types of behavior are acceptable and unacceptable and possess the determination to act rationally most of the time.

Do people really believe that their kids are so misbehaved because of their high IQ's? Really? That's a cop out.

We need to throw that excuse, along with "spirited child," out of the window. Are some kids more difficult to civilize than others? You bet. If you get one of those kids do you get to twist it into a plus (he's smart!) or get out of dealing with it (he's spirited!)? No.

There's a reason that there are more out of control kids now than when we were growing up, and it isn't that kids are getting smarter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe your high IQ kids have oppositional defiance disorder and aren't just acting out because they are so much smarter than everyone else.

Geez. My parents had five kids with IQs over 140, and none of us treated them so disrespectfully.

It just sounds like a massive rationalization. Please note that I'm not saying that you have poor parentings skills. It isn't a judgment on your parenting at all. Some kids have actual psychological disorders that warrant treatment, and that should be considered.

Really stinks to be the sixth, huh? Sorry for your bad luck - are you at least better looking or more athletic than your siblings?

Well, apparently the "wit" gene doesn't run in your family.

New poster here, I thought it was pretty damn funny.