What you are about to read may anger you. This is not a blog intended for the person who will take this personally. This blog does not single out any one person or parenting style. This blog is being written for the purpose of airing a beef I have with 'parents' today. If you wish to continue reading please do so, but you have been warned.

I often hear my peers complaining about kids today having no respect for others. Having no manners. Having no common sense.

For the love of god shut up and do something about it. The kids today are learning by example. Whose example is a question we should review. Kids will mimic the way their parents behave when they are sad, angry, or frustrated. Often to an exaggerated degree.

Having worked both as a nanny and at the skating rink there are few parenting mistakes I have not seen. Here are a list of things I have noticed as a non-parent.

- tell your kid no. Kids need boundaries and will push until they find them. If they do not find these boundaries at home they will find them in the real world. Where would you prefer they learn this lesson?

- the television and video games are not a substitute for parents who will read to their child, play with their child, and talk to their child.

- structure. Kids need a set of routines to follow each day. wake up, brush teeth, eat at certain times, etc.

- manners. Kids are not born knowing manners. You have to teach them. Consistency is key. Please, thank you, and I am sorry should be staples of their daily speech. If they are not then for the love of god use this as a wake up call to fix it before it is to late.

- do not yell. Yelling does nothing except cause a child to turn their brain off or to yell every time they do not get what they want. Neither is desirable in a teen or adult. Once they start they will not stop if left unchecked.

- take your kids places with you, don't always leave them at home. Children will not learn to behave in public unless they are out in public being taught. Bring a book and take them to a meeting or friends house. Explain to them if they do not behave there will be consequences and then actually follow thru. If you do not it will happen over and over again. This child will embarrass you and themselves.

- your children do not need everything. Teach them to save at a early age and let them have the satisfaction of buying their own toys. I still remember buying my first barbie.

- do not ever over inflate your kids ego. Being proud of a child and sharing that feeling, rewarding them for a good job is one thing. Never tell a child they are superior to anyone else. If a child grows up always believing they are better than others they will crash hard when they fail.

If you do not have children but are around them regularly please keep these things in mind. It really does take a village to raise a well rounded child. So rather than bitching do something about it as the opportunity presents itself.