The Daily Show: The Rise of Snowplow Parenting

[Rhiannon12866]

Today’s parents will do anything to make sure their kids don’t face any sort of adversity whatsoever.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Big mistake.

At some point they have to function on their own.

I've been arguing with parents for a good twenty years now that it's not a good idea to support your adult kids.

Usually I seem to be talking to a wall.

I will say this. I made it clear to my sons that once they graduated college they were on their own. And, guess what? They survived and managed on their own.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Very true, being supportive is one thing, but doing everything for them is a mistake

That said, I did think this was pretty funny - and did make the point.

[Control-Z]

3. My kids wouldn't let me call their work

for them if someone paid them. Not a chance in hell.

That's the part I can't figure out about these college cheaters. What kid/young adult would go along with something as embarrassing and, might I add, illegal?

My son went through a period where he was in denial of even having a mother. Not kidding. My younger daughter, on a different note, refused to say she hated me when all her girlfriends were going through that stage of talking about how horrible theirs mom's were and how much they hated them. My older daughter, a different story altogether.

But my point, I guess, is that my children are fiercely independent - about most things. They are, however, like aliens to me in many other ways. None of them wanted to get their driver's license. My son wasn't as bad as the girls but none of them were like my generation - getting permits the day it became legal. 15 1/2 years old, iirc.

In a lot of ways I feel sorry for these kids. On the other hand I can only imagine what horrible adults they'll grow up to be. If there's a generation of sheltered, spoiled, rich kids who will be worse than their parents society will suffer terribly, I'm afraid.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. Wait.

Your kids wouldn't let you call their work for them? Why would that even be on the agenda? Why on god's green earth would you call their work unless they were literally dying and you were the only person available to make the call?

One of my sons had close to zero interest in getting a drivers license until I told him he needed one (and needed a car) because I could not continue to drive him to school At that point he was 20 or so years old, back living at home (long story) and taking classes at the local community college.

The essential point is this: If they want to live independently, they get a license and a car. Unless you live where public transportation is good, and then, yes, that's great. But do not enable them. Don't drive them places if they can get a license and their own car and drive themselves.

Don't pay for things they should be paying for. Like an apartment. If they live at home, collect room and board, and make sure it's in line with what they'd pay on their own.

I honestly don't get these enabling parents. No one paid our way. Why would you pay for your adult children?

Worse yet, these enabling parents are endangering their own retirement, which is nuts.

[Rhiannon12866]

5. I can't imagine that, either!

My Dad pressured me to get a summer job when I was old enough, though he never did that with my brother. He was on my case a lot, always pressing me to do better, probably because I was the eldest. I hated it at the time, but as an adult I appreciate it since I learned to be more independent while my brother never did.

And though this is an exaggeration - because it's a comedy show - it does boggle the mind that parents would cheat/bribe just to pave the way for older kids. Supposedly the kids never knew, but I find that tough to believe. How did they think they got into college if they had such a poor record - let alone be expected to participate in some sports team when they had never engaged in the sport??