Before my son was born, I read a lot about being a parent. I knew I had no clue what to expect, so the book that offered to tell me What to Expect was appealing. I also read a number of baby websites in hopes that I would not be a completely clueless parent. Well, that helped about as much as you might expect.
One of the things that most sources stressed is to be consistent with your children. Consistency helps them learn what to do and what not to do. It is an effective tool in the discipline tool box. I have discovered this to be very true in my brief 4 1/2 year tenure as a parent. Consistency helps breed obedience...at least sort of.
I think I'm starting to understand why. Now for a radical left turn...
I am also completing my degree in psychology (as I have previously mentioned). Part of the requirement for this degree is writing a number of research papers. I'm not a half bad writer, so I'm fine with this (how some of the people made it to this point in college with their piss poor writing ability is beyond me...there are people who cannot even write a clear sentence in my class. WTF.) We are supposed to use a certain format (APA for those who might be curious) when we write our papers; however, it seems that the teachers have not gotten the memo that it is a standardized format...which means that it should be the same format from one class to the next. Consistent, right?
Every teacher I've had for the last 3 or 4 classes in a row (there have been more, but not in a row) has a different idea of what this format should be. The last one contradicted herself from one paper to the next (I think she just didn't like me). Now, how am I supposed to write a "correct" paper if the standard keeps changing? The school provides a template, but the teachers don't seem to follow it. Again, WTF. Please, teachers, don't make a rule for me to follow & then change it or disregard it just to make me wrong. If it's a rule, then it's a rule & you should be following just like I do, dammit.
Nonetheless, this experience has taught me 2 things (related to consistency). 1. I understand why it's needed & why my kids behave better if I use it. And 2. Inconsistency pisses me off.
I'm so sick of being in school.
But, I guess I can't say it hasn't been educational, right?
