Powerless Parents

[KRan7]

I have come to a conclusion recently that in our culture, parents are giving up their power, they are being convinced that others are more powerful agents of change in the life of their kids than they are. I believe that parents are giving their power away to 1) teachers 2) therapists/counselors 3) daycare providers.

Don't misunderstand, I believe that all of those people are agents of change and support the parents, but there is too much stock placed in professionals ability to create change and it convinces parents that they themselves can't make a difference.

When a kid recieves a diagnosis like depression, bipoloar, ADHD, etc, the care of that child is turned over to professionals and then parents (many of them at least) see this as overwhelming, don't know how to help rely on professionals for a once per week session and are paralyzed with fear or helplessness inbetween. I do believe that these people can help them--but I believe that parents have greater power to create positive change than they are taking.

Additionally, when there is a problem the advice is to take the kid to a therapist even if the kid doesn't want to go. We have become a society that relies on artificial support systems, where 60 years ago people would take up problems as a family or community--not a therapist or counselor.

[fallon]

I have to say I agree with you

[Lissa]

I agree too.

[fallon]

haha...not much of a debate then huh

[musicmom]

I agree that alot of parents do that.

[1dayatatime]

:JUMPS ON THE BAND WAGON:

I agree. I think our culture is so quick to just slap some disease on a child. Behavior modification. Behavior modification.

[fallon]

haha...this poster may have done soemthing no one else has been able to do...they found a topic most the board most likely will agree with

[Olson]

In what way do you all feel it is appropriate to use professionals?

[fallon]

why are you posting under 2 differnt user names?

[Olson]

Who?