Was going to post on the modern parenting = load of brats' thread but I can't find it! So here goes:
What is this obsession with other parents spoiling their children? Surely most parents (and, of course, all MN parents ) do the best they can - praising their children, disciplining them where necessary and hoping that they'll turn out to be reasonable adults?
Am I worried about Algernon in Fresh and Wild being a brat? No. There have always (and will always) be spoiled children. He may grow up to be a w*nker. He may (against all expectations) grow up to be nice bloke. Can't see the problem either way.
What I am worried about it the child in the supermarket who gets told to shut up when she tries to chat to her mum. The kids who get no help or encouragement. The ones who never hear an adult say 'I'm proud of you' or 'Well done'.
So IMVHO (having not read the rest of that thread) Millennium Children is a load of balls. We should stop sniping at other well-meaning parents, hope we do a reasonable job and LOOK AFTER THE CHILDREN WHO REALLY NEED IT.
Right, feel better now. Off to have a drink .