I’m starting to believe that the disappearance of discipline is a well thought out strategy by somebody who wants this great nation to collapse.   It has been well documented that the emphasis on self esteem that is prevalent in our schools is resulting in college-aged adults who are anxious, depressed, and can’t function without the interference of Mommy and Daddy.  College professors are being hounded by parents for grades they are handing out.  My own Mom would not have been able to tell you who my college professors were or what my assignments might have been.  She expected me to manage my affairs and that was an expectation set when I was very young.  She had us make our own school lunches and participate in running the household so that we could somebody run our own households without her financial or physical support.  We are all fully capable of doing that and don’t rely on her, or the government or anyone to eat or turn on our lights.

Convincing children that they are amazing and special and at the same time waiting on them hand and foot seems like a funny movie to watch but unfortunately it is being played out in households across this country.   Children can demand things from their parents without even a simple please or thank you and we are allowing this because we don’t want to shame them or hurt their self esteem.  Where do we think these spoiled, lazy, disrespectful children are going to end up?  Do we really believe that they are going to be successful contributors to this nation?  Do we think that we can just press a button on them when they turn 18 that will somehow make them hard working respectful adults?

Disciplined and well-mannered children are a must if we want to continue to compete in a competitive world.   We have to start fighting back against the things we know will hurt these future adults.  We all accept the notion of trophies for everyone at the end of season pizza party, but do we really believe it?  Do we really want to reward showing up over accomplishment?   What will be the motivation to work hard at a new job if everyone is going to receive the same salary and the same bonus?  Even children are starting to scoff at these participation trophies realizing that there is a difference between “showing up” and showing up with the intention to work hard, improve, and even win.

When I read other blogs or Facebook posts about the reasons not to teach manners or have kids do chores, the word discipline is always shunned because it is associated with spanking or hitting.  These writers believe that discipline means violence.  It doesn’t.  Discipline means nothing more than to teach.  This teaching should involve structures and boundaries so that children can grow into meaningful adults.   I don’t hit any of the six kids that live in our house although I can tell you that they respect authority and leadership because they have been taught to do that.  They know that if they are asked to do something that they need to do it or there will be consequences.  Just like life.  Just like a job.  Just like relationships.  Our behavior will always have consequences.

We have to fight back against the somebody or the something out there that is trying to make everyone the same by removing discipline from life.  We know it doesn’t make sense so we can start today by asking more of our children than we did yesterday.  We can ask them to be responsible for their own school work, their lunches, and their laundry and set reasonable peaceful consequences if they don’t step up.  It is one small way to show them a successful future that can be achieved through hard work and discipline.  We are already far behind with many of these children so we can’t delay another day.