Are Parents Too Soft?

"You can't tell me what to do!  I'm running this!"

I'm not a parent.  I have god kids, but it's nothing like being a parent.  I don't have any problems with them because their parents have done a great job in raising them.  Discipline on my part is pretty few and far between.  Usually, it's just a sit-down discussion about what occurred and how things will be going forward "or else."  But, with them, there's never been an "else."  And even if it were, then that would be up to their parents to handle, not me.

However, when I look at kids today, I see them so much differently than I did when I was one of them.  When I was a kid, I knew what the boundaries were because my parents made them perfectly clear.  I don't get that from a lot of today's kids.  I'm seeing kids who push the envelope because their parents haven't set expectations for them.

My parents always made sure that I knew what the limits were and what the consequences were for exceeding them.  There was rarely a gray area and even when one presented itself, the gray was converted to black and white fairly quick.  My parents knew that all of their decisions were not going to be popular in my eyes.  But, they weren't looking to be popular.  They were looking to be parents.

Some parents think that as long as their kids are fed and sheltered, then they've done their job as a parent.  Uh, yeah, maybe if you're a wolf.  But as a human, a child needs much more nurturing.  You have to teach them honor, discipline and respect.  If you're not doing that, then you're not parenting.

I sometimes wonder to myself, "are parents too soft these days?"

I see so many parents trying to be their child's friend instead of their parent.  A parent's only responsibility, in my opinion, is to raise their child to be the best and productive person he / she can be.  That's your only job. If you can keep your child happy in the process, then that's a bonus, but creating a functioning part of society is the main goal.  You can be an authority in your child's life and still have their respect.  It's all about doing what you're say that you're going to do when it comes to consequences.  In order to get to that point, expectations need to be set.  The kid needs to know that if "A" happens, then "B" will occur.

However, some parents are more interested in pleasing their kids rather than raising them.  On the other hand, some parents are downright pushy with what they make their kids do...

"Please.  Help me.  My mom is crazy..."

Can You Say "500k?"

That's right, folks! The originally-titled "Thank, Q for Common Sense" blog has gone over 500,000 page hits! What started as a short rant against Rush Limbaugh, that received one comment, has turned into a site that has really felt the love of a bunch of readers!

It must be the month of milestones because the Talk 2 Q Radio Show just passed 50,000 downloads last Wednesday.  By the way, if you haven't checked me out on the air, then catch me on iTunes, on my Android app or just listen live from the chat room on Sundays and Tuesdays at 10 PM EST.

Anyhoo, I just wanted to thank all of you for thinking enough of my site to stop in 500,000 times.  It really means a lot to me to know that you care enough about what I have to say or that you enjoy my stories that I share.  I hope to get 500,000 more so I can reach the million mark like my man Brandon up there in Idaho.

I hope to get back into blogging a lot more.  As of late, I've been doing some things for The Indie Chicks site, so check out my latest contribution over there right here.  But, I will get back into posting more here, so I appreciate your patience and thanks once again!

Finding Motivation

Growing up, I’ve always been one to work for what he wants. I’ve won academic, music, sports and career awards in my life. I’ve dated quite a few attractive women despite being far from a Denzel. Far.  Yet, there’s one thing that I just can’t seem to shake: my weight.

I’ve been chubby-to-overweight since I was old enough to remember. I was always athletic up until around the age of 30. Now, I can’t seem to find a way to help me regain even 25% of the motivation that I once had to get out and do something physical. I’m the type of guy who has always believed in working hard for everything that I have. I understand that efforts tend to pay off with results.

So, why is it so hard for me to do what I need to do to be healthier and in better shape?

I have the motivation and commitment to eat healthy when I want to do so. I’ve challenged myself to going periods of time excluding certain unhealthy food items with little-to-no problem at all. But, why does exercise escape me?  Why will I not take just 30 minutes a day to do something that will benefit me in so many ways?  I offer tons of advice to people who seek it, yet I can't seem to give myself any that works more than 48 hours.  I know that once I get started, then I'll keep it up.  But "getting started" for me means being consistent for at least a week.

I know the health consequences of being overweight.  I know the benefits of being slimmer from a social standpoint.  So, tell me what in the world is stopping me?  Well, I hope that you can help me out with that.  I’m the one looking for some help for a change.

What can you suggest that will help me get motivated to “move something?”