'Tough Love' parenting to return?

So we're in the 21st Century and to think that an MP working for David Cameron has advised parents to be tougher on their kids to give them a chance in later life. Now to most people that might have seemed sensible, in fact I'd probably say 'the norm'. But the reality is Britain has unfortunately lost its moral compass. You could say, it lost it years ago.

With children up and down the UK unable to read, write or even put basic sentences together, who is to blame? Is 'blame' the right word to use? As Eminem said so aptly in an interview recently if you are a parent 'be a parent'.

To think that parents believe children can bring themselves up without guidance, care and attention is really naive to say the least.

People should take care with their kids. Not obsess rather, ensure that a child's well being, learning and experiences grow as they do. Leaving it to the state or school is just plane wrong.

Parents need to take responsibility for their actions and to expect anyone else to do so, well, you shouldn't have kids in the first instance.

The week that the government announced a clamp down on child benefits, these comments serve as a welcome reminder that parents need to step up to the plate and take responsibility, not just for their kids, but for themselves too.

Online privacy, a big deal or not important?

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg doesn't seem to think so. In stark comparison to most parents who feel that social networks aren't taking privacy seriously enough. So who is right and who is wrong?



In the internet age where everything revolves around technology, does Zuckerberg have a point?



It is an ever interesting debate, that will no doubt continue to rumble on for some months, perhaps even years. I guess you have to look at privacy like this: would you like someone to open a letter sent to you, read it, then put a flyer advertising products related to the content of your letter? Probably not. Yet that is what major technology networks are effectively doing.

Not to mention the fact that our very moves are being recorded by data storage facilities every minute. You can kind of understand why people are concerned. It does seem strange that alot of the population aren't aware because most don't actually 'see' the consequences of such privacy 'violations'.

I guess people essentially need to be aware of just what they sign up to and shouldn't be fooled into thinking that because it is 'online' or on the 'internet' it will be fine..in all likelihood it won't.

Saving for the future and parents changing attitudes

So it turns out that saving for the future is becoming a little harder or is it? Saving for a child's future doesn't have to be the most expensive thing in the world. A couple of pounds a week to start or even £10 or £20 a month will suffice.

Now that the Child Trust Funds are being withdrawn by the government it means that parents are going to have to find new was of saving for their kids.

What is slightly more concerning is the news that some parents in the UK appear to be unconcerned by the prospect of their kids drinking, doing drugs or having sex underage. I have to say i find the notion of the latter slightly alarming. If anything it highlights a distinct lack of moral guidance and principles.

There is clearly some need for parental involvement in the bringing up of a child, yet, in Britain parents appear all too preoccupied with themselves as opposed to their kids. Aside from the fact that they are breaking the law, the health impact of such lazy parenting could actually be quite severe in later life.

Is anyone really surprised child benefits are being harmonised?

I mean let's face facts, the UK is in massive debt left by the previous government. The country has to sort its finances and child benefit to the richest families just doesn't really seem fair?

David Cameron, to his credit, is actually doing a good job at getting the economy moving again. Of course some might argue, don't do this, don't do that. But the reality is he has to do something.

For a dad, father or dad to be, it may not seem that hard to understand. The idea that you have a family and you need to provide for them. Keeping your finances in order is the norm. Cameron if you like is the spiritual father of the nation, as PM he has to take the tough decisions. I think he is taking the right ones.

To be honest, parents in Britain do have it good. Ok we pay some high taxes at times, but let's face it the NHS costs alot of money to run. If you want the best health care you have to pay top dollar for it.

So parents, think about the benefits of these spending reductions, personally i think this is a good move.

New mothers suffer from lack of care and parents to lose out on child benefit..if you stay at home

Is it any surprise that the new coalition is reducing spending on child benefit, in particular for those parents that opt to stay at home and look after children? Is that fair? Particularly as it will effect middle class families most.

With public borrowing at records levels, looking at debt interest alone, the UK pays £43billion for 2010 in debt repayment. Nearly £1,400 per person, truly astonishing fiscal mismanagement by the previous Labour administration.

To leave such a legacy to future generations is truly worrying.

Worse still news, that new mothers are more than likely not to receive adequate support when having a baby.

Main thing is that as men, fathers and dads continue to stand fast and help their wives and girlfriends get through child birth.

So men do actually cry to music?

A new survey conducted by PRS for Music found the top 10 songs men are most likely to cry to. That includes the toughest guys out there, they might occasionally shed a tear. Eric Clapton, REM, U2, Robbie Williams and more were among the top ten.

Is this anything to be surprised by? Not really, i guess it is more a case of confirming that men just like women can be emotional. Fathers, dads and dads-to-be fear not, you are not alone!

There are thousands of men out there who enjoy a good cry, so share your feelings! Whilst that may sound slightly emotional, the reality is, most men don't tend to cry and do tend to keep their feelings private.

Men are from mars and women from venus. Women talk alot about feelings, men don't. It's not that dificult to understand. More a case that men are men and prefer to discuss Football than songs that make them cry..

Dads look out, another toy manufacturer issues warning

This time its market leader Mattel and the Fisher-Price brand range. Apparently there are millions of products ranging from toys, trikes and high chairs that have all been 'voluntarily' withdrawn from retailers.

Numerous consumer protection organisations in the US and Canada raised the alarm. Makes you wonder what the UK consumer protection teams are up to?

Anyhow, the good news it that Fisher-Price have taken action to alleviate the problem. The bad news is that if you have bought any products it may take some time to find out if they are affected or not. The company has set up hot lines for parents/ consumers to call in and ask.

Now what ever happened to good old fashioned toys that work? Can't be that difficult to make surely?