Letter: Parents need to parent

Editor,

It's true, the end of the world is coming - or so I thought after reading your Nov. 18 police reports. You noted a father requesting the police "talk to his incorrigible 4-year-old daughter about minding" him. Is that father out of his mind? Does no one watch Dr. Phil!? Why is it that we can grow human cells and fly remote controlled planes, but can't be firm with our own children? Kids need boundaries and look to their parents to set them. Calling the cops may scare the child temporarily, but also sends the message that Daddy can't handle the job. And if he can't now, what will he do when she's 14? Young children are supposed to flex their independence and test us daily. Our response is what they'll learn from and model later. I know parental patience can be used up quickly, but if we creatively motivate our little ones to behave, we can strengthen parent-child bonds, give them healthy life building blocks, and, most importantly, end a tantrum. And that's really what it's all about, isn't it?