To those who are sixty or above as well as the younger ones

I was once asked to write an essay on family life and raising children. What it takes to keep a child on the right path, and what it takes to keep their mind clear and void of any fear of either parent in the way of abuse.

My essay was built on a computer. (this was one of my writing classes by the way).

How is it like a computer? Well, you have a motherboard (the parent) who controls everything within the family. We have the keyboard to place words in which children learn how to speak. We have the monitor that displays these words so the child can relate to what we say. Then the hardest part. The floppy disks that are of course our children themselves.

What we put on those disks remains in the minds of those children. We can erase those entries, but they are never really gone. They can be brought back through other means such as outside sources. Children who run afoul are an example of 'garbage in and garbage out.' How many times have we heard that in computer language?

Exactly! I've noticed that in American films/series, parents or spouses are much too demonstrative for my taste, for instance they end each phone call with "I love you" and after some time it grates on my nerves.
I don't want to generalize but do you think Americans are more prone to sloppy sentimentality?

I'm a bit younger than the age range specified, not yet 50, but I'd like to say a few words on this subject. I was never spanked growing up, I think I can count the number of actual smacks I received from my parents on the fingers of one hand, but I was loved. My parents regularly told me that they loved me and they showed it in deed as well as word. The last words I ever heard my father say were 'Be careful,' as I left their house to drive back to my own. I was spending the nights there because we knew he didn't have long. He passed away not more than an hour later. My mother's final words to anyone as far as I know were also to me and she said that she loved me. She slipped into a coma which she never woke from later that same evening. I still get a bit misty with the memories.

Floppy disks? How long ago did you write this essay anyway?

Im not over 60 yet and my parents are both very much alive...and although they will never read this (unless i inherited my spanko gene from one of them! Lol) i would like to say, they are the best parents any girl could wish for.

I was always a daddy's girl. I never doubted his love and he spoilt me wrotten. Not with money but with love and affection. He has never laid a finger on me. He says that, as a little girl, he even had to be careful how he looked at me because too harsh a glare would reduce me to tears.

Mum spanked me once otk when i was very little but mostly it was just an odd (and very deserved) throw away slap.

They live 5 minutes up the road from me now and i see them about 3 times a week. In fact, if i go more than 3 days without seeing them, my dad will phone to tell me he misses me and to drop by for a hug! See what i mean? The best parents ever.

Oooh i spelt 'rotten' wrong! That will teach me to rush (and by pass the spell check!).

I will go stand in the corner for a bit.......just cos i like doing that anyway!!!!

My dad always told me he loved me ... never spanked me tho haha. My mum. God rest her soul, used to apply one of slaps to my but when naughty but more often than not just chased me around the house with the intenting of ass-slapping but never caught me (seriously I thought I was the princess of evasion).. but the fear worked most effectively hahah.. Ooh but I'm not above 60.. or even 50... so not sure if this counts!!!!!

You're very lucky to still have your parents and to have them so close. I wish mine were still alive, but they would be very elderly now (in my mother's case over a hundred) and likely not too lively.

That's OK, particularly in that context, I like "wrotten" much better.


My mother died young, but my father lives a few minutes away. He is nearer 100 than 90. And yes, he's not too lively. I see the old guy at least twice a week and am not ashamed to hug him. Perhaps it's a sloppy USA thing?

Bendover is right, children are floppy disks since they're much younger than we are.
I thought it was a good simile! No need to scorn him!