I wonder how many parents have had this argument?

[Bob O]

My son who is now 17 and my daughters will listen to me more often than my wife when told to do things escpecially my son!! I think it come's more from a fear factor as they believe the reprecussions will be worse from one parent than the other. They may also believe they can get away with more from one parent than the other.

 

[snuggles]

DH is the softie in my house too. We have had this discussion in the past week ourselves.

 

[olena]

Not in my house growing up. It was Mom we feared. We obeyed Dad though. If we didn't, Mom would really go off on us.

 

[Zurg]

"divide and conquer method" also known as shopping around for a different answere. LOL at times you need to become a real lawyer about it:

"I see, now before ansereing your questions, have you at any time now on in the past aksed you mother this question, in whole or any part there of, either directly or infered and has she rulled on this matter?

Regardless of how I may respond to your request, understand that any and all proclomations, decisions and or threats previously stated or implied by your mother still stand and, my answere to your question not withstanding, her prior ruling willl infact be inforced.

Oh and the penalty for fraud is triple damages."

Initial each paragraph and sign here: X_____________________

 

[jldriscoll]

ROTFL!! Zurg!!!

Can I get permission to print this to use on my 4 year old who's becoming quite an expert in this field!?!?!

 

[tedsmom]

When I was growing up, neither of my parents was particularly one way or the other. Somehow,from a young age, they got the point across that they were in charge and I was to do what I was told, and I pretty much did. If I disobeyed, or tried the "divide and conquer" thing, punishment was swift and unrelenting...not physical discipline, but life became VERY unpleasant for the time period that they decided upon, based on the severity of the transgression. I can honestly say that I don't think I was spanked 5 times in my whole childhood, if that.They also did not yell. You knew how you were expected to behave in my parents' house, and that's how you behaved. They always supported each other's discipline decisions, and if there were times when one thought the other was being unreasonable, we kids never knew it. And "Because I said so" was all the explanation you needed for certain things.

I did not grow up to be a serial killer, I am a contributing member of society, educated, professional, holding down a full-time job, have not yet required therapy(although I wouldn't hesitate to go if I thought I needed it), so I guess they did OK.