silentflyer

I grew up in a house full of guns kept in a closet, and the ammo in another closet. I was taught to respect firearms and the resonsibility that goes with them. If my parents or grandparents caught myself or my brothers/sisters in that closet without permission till about 14 years of age, I still wouldn't be able to sit down without a reminder on by butt of what I had done WRONG!
I have carried a pocket knife since I was 6 yo, again any thought of misusing it would have brought serious repercussions, with my butt being the center of attention....
My parents have always been 110% up front about what happens when you break the rules, and always made sure the lessons of right/wrong was clearly understood. They were less worried about my "self esteme" and more interested in the fact that we grew up to be responsible adults, all six of us, and it worked. I still say yes mam and no mam to my mother, and have never raised my voice to her, a lesson learned when I was about 4yo, and I still remember the results of that transgression.....
I used to think they were pretty hard on us, but when I started raising my own two boys, I quickly understood why they did what they did, and I'm greatfull every day of my life. What worked with myself and my sibs, worked with my boys, and for that matter my brother and sisters kids also.
My parents must have done it right.........
I belive it was Teddy Rosevelt (sp?), who said "he belived in democracy in all areas except the raising of kids"..........