Parents to Kids: I Said "No" and That's My Final Answer!

No is a word that children today do not seem to understand. Why is that? Because they rarely here it. Apparently, parents have forgotten how to say no. Once upon a time no was a household word that was used quite often. I know I heard it plenty of times. But not anymore. Think about it. When was the last time you told your kids no and meant it and then stuck with it? Saying yes has spiraled out of control and it's time to put a stop to it.

Psychologists, parents and educators are realizing that it's time to stop looking the other way and start teaching kids that life does not revolve around them. Kids have become demanding, rude and spoiled. There is no longer any respect for adults or authority of any kind. They lack compassion for others and they do not know the value of any kind of work, much less hard work. There is only a sense of entitlement. Kids are out of control. Why do you think we are so fascinated by shows such as "Nanny 911" and "Supernanny"?

Overtime parents have come to tolerate more disrespectful behavior. Teachers are having to spend more time dealing with misbehavior than with teaching. This reflects badly on parents, as they are the most powerful influence on children's behavior. Renowned psychologist Dr. David Walsh says that regaining the ability to say "no" is not only important for our kids' well-being but also essential for our country's economic future.

Parents need to have clear and consistent family rules along with discipline to instill empathy in children. Saying "no" helps children develop self-respect, self-discipline and integrity. It is a critical part of raising a happy and healthy child. "No" is part of the real world and children must learn to live with it. Life is not all fun and games and the sooner kids learn and accept this, the better life will be.

Children that do not have boundaries, limits and rules imposed for them to follow will often:

1) Have difficulty coping with life's disappointments.

2) Have a distorted sense of entitlement.

3) Have rampant consumerism.

4) Have an inability to delay gratification.

We must prepare children for the real world by saying "NO" to bad behavior, unreasonable requests and self-centeredness. Parents who say 'no" and don't mean it are teaching children to disrespect them and authority in general. Children must understand that no is the final answer.