The two sons of a friend of mine went to a Steiner school. (A very liberal take on how children should be treated)
I went along to a couple of Open days, Christmas fairs etc. All very nice. They had an organic veggie farm, a few animals hanging about. (Nowt wrong with that, obviously). Sadly, idyllic though it looked. The kids, bye and large, were taking the piss, and running amok.
I'm sorry, Lifelong socialist I may be, but children need boundaries, set, both by parents and teachers.
Wifty wafty Hello Flowers, hello trees attitudes do not work.
The very fact that children have to be at school at a certain time, wearing the correct uniform etc. is a good thing!.
Of course I'm not advocating regular beatings. (although I went through that regime too). but "loving" dicipline for children has to be the way forward in terms of parenting.
We, as a family, try to share a communal meal around the table at least 3 or 4 times a week.
Last Sunday, the youngest (12) was out playing with his mates. I was doing a roast dinner. He wanted to stay out. No, I told him. this is family time. you will be back at 5, or your dinner is going in the bin. Harsh? Maybe?....but, he turned up at 5 to 5!!!
Enough already.