https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:12:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1147049 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 20:09:01 +0000 marionberry 1147049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I agree with your sentiments. In my grade school we were never allowed to play tag because someone might fall down on the pavement. I think that there's a line we often cross in trying to be too protective - there are some things kids need to learn for themselves (within reason).</p> <p>@mamamoose: I totally agree! I have seen this with my young siblings, step child and more. It may be an overgeneralization to assume all of the are like this, but the value of hard work seems to be one that has been lost, not to mention that they seem to be very materialistic - for instance, the world will not come to an end if you keep your iphone from the dinner table.</p> <p>@Lindsay05: Kids don't even learn cursive these days and I have younger coworkers who talk to physicians in text lingo, e.g. "Dr. Jones, I'll BRB". Are these kids becoming more technologically savvy at the expense of professionalism, courteousness and more? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146737 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 13:41:42 +0000 Cherrybee 1146737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lean too far that way and it drives DH crazy! My mum was - still is - scared of everything and thought everything was "dangerous". As a result, everything makes me nervous. Kids climbing trees, walking near roads, ugh! The other day I started panicking in the park because some kids were running around the paddling pool area. I said to DH "WHERE are their parents, they're going to slip?!" and he pointed out how absurd I am! That really needs to change before I turn our child into the coward I am! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146720 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 13:12:55 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1146720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a teenage goddaughter that I "looked into" (spied on) lately. She was getting into trouble and her mom was pretty sure about certain aspects of her social life. I was IG buds with her, her mom isn't so I looked around. </p> <p>Through IG, she linked her numerous other accounts. Looking through those I was AMAZED how open kids are nowerdays! They are much more open with their feelings and emotions compared to our generation! I think it's because of all the various social media that's available. It's just easier to communicate certain thoughts and feelings vs when we were young, we had the phone and that's it. I would never had imagined this if I hadn't snooped on her. </p> <p>The younger generation isn't stupid or idiots. They just communicate in ways and channels that are unknown to us. In a way, we're illiterate to their ways of communicating. But none of this is new; I'm pretty sure our parents thought the same thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146676 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 11:08:41 +0000 sarac 1146676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: Yes, natural consequences. I love those. I am the kind of person who doesn't just want to hear 'no', I have to experience something for myself. My daughter is the same way, and I'm raising her accordingly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146669 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 11:02:47 +0000 Boheme 1146669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: Agree! I feel like children learn better from natural consequences than being told no. Of course I'd never let my son do anything inherently dangerous, but I do feel like he should experience things for himself and learn from them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146628 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 10:23:07 +0000 sarac 1146628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, every generation thinks that the ones after it are terrible, illiterate, rude, etc. There is a strong trend towards overprotective, coddling parenting lately. So just opt out. Let your child touch the hot thing - not something that will burn her, but something that may be uncomfortable. Let her fall down. Not where she'll break her arm, but where she might get an ouchie and need a kiss. Let her climb things. Etc etc etc. You have total control over how you raise your children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146623 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 10:13:53 +0000 Lindsay05 1146623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well children are slowing losing the ability to write, or communicate in full sentences thanks to texting and computers. I am mot sure if it makes them dumber or just rolling with the times. I am sure generations before have been saying it for years and years. </p> <p>I believe society may be starting to shelter childrens more and more. Seems everything has to be politically correct, gender neutral, etc or somebody gets insanely insulted. YES, there is absolutely some ridiculous offensive material that has been eliminated from the children but I do feel its going way too far the other way.</p> <p>ETA: yes i see how incredibly ironic my post is with all of its grammar mistakes from posting with my phone lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146622 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 10:11:13 +0000 katsupgirl 1146622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I totally get what you're saying. I'm super protective with my LO but I think a lot of stuff is really over the top. Ex. There was clamor over statues in the park. Think mental like the wonderland ones in Central Park. Parents were concerned that they would get hot in the sun and kids would hurt themselves if they touched it. Well that's a science lesson. They should learn when to touch and not to touch. It could come in handy one day. Common sense isn't encouraged much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146613 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 09:57:15 +0000 Mae 1146613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: Also true! My husband in particular is so bothered by that. Kids need to learn to be gracious winners AND losers. </p> <p>@Vegmama: Yessssss! I think about that movie all the time. Also about this story my boss tells about how when he was traveling in Europe he was at this cliff and there was a sign (in English) saying "be careful-- cliff." He asked one of the park ranger people why the sign was only in English and was told because Europeans have enough common sense to see danger and stay away from it, whereas Americans assume if no one explicitly tells them something is dangerous it ISN'T, and then they want to sue when they get hurt. lol (side note: I went to your blog and &lt;3 it :) )</p> <p>@MamaMoose: Another good point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146261 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 20:46:53 +0000 stargal 1146261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: yes!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146257 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 20:43:14 +0000 Boheme 1146257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: Preach! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146239 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 20:25:01 +0000 swedishfish 1146239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Re: the ball ban during recess - it is a temporary ban while construction is going on. It's funny how news traveling across the country is like the game Telephone - important details get cut out :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146220 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 20:05:28 +0000 Kemma 1146220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: yup! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146217 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 20:04:11 +0000 wonderstruck 1146217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think that means we're raising stupid kids or ones who can't follow directions, I just think it means parents want to minimize the amount of harm that could possibly happen to their child. I'm not going to wrap my LO in bubble wrap or anything, but if he fell and hurt himself on a hot bulb/toy or accidentally left a chemical out and a younger relative who didn't know any better got ahold of it...well, I'm sure you see where I'm going with this. Yeah, banning balls at recess is pretty dumb, but putting safety measures on kid's toys is not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146211 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 20:01:00 +0000 deerylou 1146211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: +1,000 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146205 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 19:58:37 +0000 MamaMoose 1146205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm much more concerned that we are raising a generation of entitled brats than dummies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146191 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 19:38:56 +0000 looch 1146191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I may have had that light brite, it was the one with the pegs, and the super hot bulb, that thing could have burned the house down the way it was designed. It had a sheet of paper that you put in front of the bulb and then you pressed in the pegs...I am glad it's been redesigned!</p> <p>I dunno, I am all for improvements, just because something is the original does not mean it is the best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146186 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 19:34:12 +0000 Vegmama 1146186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I totally agree with you! Toys were cooler (read: more dangerous) when we were little, and it was awesome ... We just had to learn! :) </p> <p>Have you ever seen the movie Idiocracy? Whenever people bring up kids (or civilization) becoming stupid(er), I think of that movie and laugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146090 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 18:17:17 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1146090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: agree! In my almost two years of experience, I've seen my kid turn curtains &amp; air vents into dangerous things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146084 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 18:14:03 +0000 deerylou 1146084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not especially worried about how new safety measures are going to effect the intelligence of our next generation. Kids will find mischief and danger, no matter how many pillows we duct tape to their knees and elbows.</p> <p>What *does* worry me is that children are getting heavier, less creative, and more reliant on technology to occupy their minds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146075 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 18:07:36 +0000 meganmp 1146075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I fall more in line with what you're thinking. Yes, my kids will wear helmets. Yes, I'm going to stick those plastic things in my outlets. However, they are also going to climb up trees, go skiing and cook with me in the kitchen, all of which can hurt them. Obviously, they don't get to play with knives and such, and I'm not going to set them up to fail, but I'm sure they're going to come away with their fair share of scrapes and bruises. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146066 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 17:55:28 +0000 yoursilverlining 1146066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: ditto. I really hate the "everyone is a winner" stuff. </p> <p>I think a lot of what you described OP is consistent with the helicopter parenting thats really popular now, but it's also what every generation has worried/complained about. I mean, kids used to play with super dangerous stuff, and by the time light brites came along there was probably someone saying that those were "moron proof" toys compared to what they had as a kid; KWIM? I mean, kids used to bounce around in the back seats of cars with no seat belts on, and most survived ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146060 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 17:46:38 +0000 mrsbookworm 1146060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we definitely take some things too far. The banning balls at recess, that fact that the post office is destroying a whole batch of stamps because the kid riding a bike on them isn't wearing a helmet (really?), etc. But I don't mind safety proofing toys. I don't want to worry that my child is going to hurt themselves while they're playing with something age-appropriate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146049 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 17:34:48 +0000 sunny 1146049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't mind the safety proofing as much as I mind the mentality that each kid deserves a medal for everything and no kid ever is a winner or loser. </p> <p> I worry that the next generation is going to grow up and cry everytime something doesn't go their way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146032 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 17:24:24 +0000 mrbee 1146032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are still plenty of ways for kids to hurt themselves! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146029 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 17:21:50 +0000 Mae 1146029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting! I've never heard that term before but based on what I found in the first few minutes I guess that's sort of my philosophy. At least to an extent. I didn't even know I had a philosophy..... cool. lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1146003 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 17:03:02 +0000 loveisstrange 1146003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Google "free range parenting". </p> <p>I think your observations are based on a certain type of parent, most don't fit that niche. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-worry-that-were-going-to-make-a-generation-of-stupid-children#post-1145993 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 16:57:05 +0000 Mae 1145993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, take this post with a HUGE grain of salt because I don't yet have kids and I haven't even spent a ton of time with kids lately. But as I will be having a kid this spring it is something I've started thinking about. </p> <p>My husband and I were just talking about light brites. The ones we grew up with was awesome. It was big and heavy and bright. It got hot, but you just learned to not touch the sides/back when it had been plugged in a while. The new light brites suck. They're battery operated with a tiny bulb and are not bright at all. You can't possibly hurt yourself on it, I guess, but it also doesn't seem like much fun. </p> <p>When I was 6 I had a chemistry set. If I'd swallowed any of those chemicals that probably would've been dangerous. But my parents made sure I knew that and kept it out of reach when I wasn't using it. I don't think they really make legit chemistry sets for kids anymore. </p> <p>I heard on the news this week that a school banned the use of BALLS at recess because they were worried kids would get hurt. *headdesk*</p> <p>I mean... I don't know. But I feel like in our effort to safety proof everything to the highest possible level so that they are essentially moron proof and it is IMPOSSIBLE to hurt yourself--- we're not teaching kids to use common sense. If we don't ever let them hurt themselves, are we doing a disservice to them? Don't they need to learn critical thinking and how to NOT hurt themselves in the face of opportunity? </p> <p>Actual parents... give me your thoughts. Maybe I'll totally change my mind once I actually have a kid. But from this side of the fence I just worry that we're going too far with the safety-proofing, and that we're creating a generation of kids who will walk off an unguarded cliff if there isn't a fence to stop them because they never learned to think out: cliffs are dangerous. </p>