Parents Need Permission to Say No?

The Metro Section of the Dallas Morning News printed an article last week on a meeting for parents sponsored by the Highland Park School District. Highland Park, is one of the most affluent communities in DFW, perhaps in the whole country. The school district had invited a Harvard University professor and child psychologist, Dan Kindlon, to offer tips to parents on how to avoid spoiling their children. The author stated that parents arrived in SUV's and sporting expensive manicures and jewelry. My initial response was, "Since when do parents need permission to say no to their kids." One of the first mistakes that parents make is not saying "no" early and often enough. This is not something that is limited to affluent communities. I live in a middle class suburb of Dallas. On an almost daily basis I see parents bend to the will of their children. The child begs, whines and pleads for a candy bar or can of soda displayed temptingly next to the check out line at Kroger. 95% of the time the parent gives in. We are a society that has indulged itself to the point that many parts of the world view us with disdain. Saying "no" is something that God expects, even requires us to do. Parents need to take a stand with their children but kids, especially teens, need to hold their parents accountable for saying "no" to self indulence as well.