Why do people treat their nearly grown kids like BABIES now days?

Question

I can understand being protective and nurturing your child... but people are literally treating their 8 and 9 year old kids like infants!

My aunt from my dad's side allows her 9 year old son to wear diapers! (just because he's too lazy to use the toliet)

He doesn't even HAVE a medical problem. (I've asked).

I also watched a documentary on youtube about a lady named Veronika Robinson who breastfeeds her 5 and 8 year old daughters!

In addition to all of that nonsense, I know of parents who won't even allow their kids to say the word 'stupid'.

What the heck is wrong with these parents?

I'm starting to think that people NEVER want their children to grow up!

Answer 1

Yeah, I actually feel sorry for those kids. Wearing diapers at the age of nine or being breastfed at they age of eight is gonna be hard to explain to your future spouse.

Maybe they don't want their kids to grow up? I don't know. That's still wrong though.

Answer 2

While I agree with the first part, I have to disagree with whatever you were meaning by your 'stupid' statement. We discourage the use of any derogatory language from our children. I don't think children should use those types of words when they really don't understand what they mean. Saying those things, like 'stupid' is nothing but disrespectful and ignorant.

People in general only use the word 'stupid' when they don't agree with or understand something, which is pure ignorance. In the case that they do know and understand and still use such wording is then disrespectful to others differences.  

Answer 3

While I agree with the premise that there are many parents that don't treat their children in an age appropriate way (that goes for people who don't let their kids grow up, and those who treat their kids like they are way older than they really are), I have to take issue with you describing 8 year olds as "nearly grown".

Answer 4

Hah thats interesting, because i see more people treating their children like adults these days. I see 8 year olds with cell phones, ipods, designer clothes that they will grow out of. I hear  bad language that my mother still will scold me for using and im 21 from kids. I hear little girls worrying about their diet and needing to get their roots done. I think that you have found some rare, yet pretty obscene cases. However i am tired of seeing kids not taking advantage of their childhood while they still have it.

Answer 5

There's no hurry on making your kids grow up. I think your taking a couple of examples and twisting them into something exaggerated. Although it's not desirable, some children will continue wetting the bed long after they're toilet trained and this isn't 'abnormal'. If this kid is wearing pullups at night, i wouldn't be concerned. However if he's wearing diapers all the time, that would be strange. Especially because they dont really make diapers for kids that big, that would be more of a specialty item. The breast feeding thing you mention is an extreme example designed to shock, i really wouldn't take that as the norm... And if my 10yr old were to call someone stupid then i would certainly reprimand him! As i would with any insult that comes out of his mouth. If i were you i'd be more concerned about the parents that let their children roam the streets, use drugs, have s*x and swear like troopers.

Answer 6

Honestly I think kids are growing up to fast these days.  I do beleive in extended breastfeeding but 8 is really pushing it.  Kids watch horrible tv shows, eat junk food, and don't have any boundries because parents don't want to deal with the fit.  

Answer 7

Most people do not treat elementary school children like infants. Most 9yo kids would not wear diapers if you paid them to do so. This kid probably has his own problems to deal with.

There are plenty of breastfeeding advocates that breastfeed for several years.

What's "wrong" with these parents is that there are a million books and studies telling them what to do. Add to that people like you who judge and criticize the choices that they make for their families and it can be pretty overwhelming sometimes.

Why don't you just give parents a break? They may do some strange things but most of them are just trying to do what's best for them and their children.

Answer 8

Well, I don't like words like stupid, dumb, g*y (in a degrading manner), retarded, etc. I think they are rude and that there are other ways to express what you are feeling.

I do however, have a problem with some of the issues that you described, such as having a 9 year old wear a diaper. I find that to be degrading to the child, as well as unhygienic. But what others choose to do is none of my business.

It is one thing for you to protect your children by making sure they don't play on the streets, or that they have a cell phone to reach you in case of an emergency, but what you speak of is totally different. I just hope things work out for these families and their unconventional ways.  

Answer 9

Those are extreme circumstances, but I agree. I've seen teenagers who still have to hold their mothers hands while crossing a parking lot.  

Answer 10

You must not have kids, because it's the complete opposite.  You can't assume what's true about a few weirdos is true about the majority.  In fact, most kids are growing up way too fast these days.  Ten is the new fifteen, which I find sad.

As for parents not allowing their children to use the word stupid, I don't allow my son to say anything that is meant to be disrespectful.  More parents should set similar rules for their kids.  

Answer 11

Eh i totally agree with you. A lot of it, i think, has to do with the parents inablitity to want to get the children through these vairous stages of life, example. potty training, drinking out of a real cup, sleeping in their own bed etc. they dont want to listen to their child cry or deal with the crying and what not. Its more lazy parenting then lazy kids.