in reference to the comment about parents who "think" they are better than others....lol, i think it's safe to say that parents who don't lie to and trick and intentionally frighten their children, generally ARE better parents than those who would. there's no "think" about it.
also, i had to laugh at the comment about being thrown into a pool and told to swim, as this was actually done to me at the age of about 4. it didn't teach me to swim....and it didn't feel like "fun"...it just felt like drowning.
personally, i've seen a lot of situations while at DLR where parents are yelling at small children who are sobbing as they stand at the entrance to a ride. the child is scared, the parents are frustrated. in truth, i can see why the parents would be disappointed...here they've spent a lot of time, money, and effort to do a big FUN
disneyland trip for their child, only to have it not go anything like they planned. i would be disappointed, too. and in all fairness, i've never had this issue because all 4 of my children really love the attractions at DLR, have never cried in fear while on the rides or in line for them, etc., and have been going on them since they were babies. i wouldn't force them or trick them onto rides they felt afraid of though, because i respect their feelings and fears, and because i would think that it would be counterproductive. i've been a parent long enough to know that kids need to feel safe in order to try new things. and considering my kids are very willing to try new things, i'm pretty sure my logic has proven true. they've learned, by my behavior all their lives, that i wouldn't lie or trick, so they know they can trust me if i tell them i think an experience is something they might enjoy. i also explain that even if a part of the ride seems scary (i had this conversation with my 7 year old daughter about Indy), that nothing on the ride will hurt her, and that the ride doesn't last very long. if they decline, that would be fine, too. i'd sit out with them. in fact, i've probably said a hundred times to my kids, "nobody here is going to force you to do something that scares you", when at disneyland or other amusement parks, etc. in the end, they always decide to try it out. and there isn't a ride yet that any of them have said they're too afraid to go on again.
maybe with some kids, pushing them into a situation seems to work out. i don't know, because i've never done it. my theory, after 17 years of parenting though, is that respecting a child's feelings, opinions, and fears, is more productive in the end. if their own feelings are considered and respected, they subsequently learn to consider and respect the feelings of others. and in my opinion, there are far too many people (children included) who have NO consideration or respect for anyone else's feelings but their own. that's not who i want my children to be.
to all those who are getting so upset that there are some parents who are giving our negative opinions to this guy, remember that HE ASKED for those opinions, asked EVERYONE specifically whether or not he was a "bad father". he completely solicited any response he might receive. i'm sure he's not on his end bellyaching and crying over the answers.
hopefully, he's apologizing to his little boy and resolving not to trick him anymore for selfish entertainment purposes.
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by putting up the picture and seeing how many people would get outraged, nasty with each other, critical and hurt by the resulting flames. I notice he/she has not responded at all in this thread.
