All you need now, Mr Blobby, are a few little Blobbies running around so that you can apply what you know…see if it works.

You have to remember it’s easy offering parenting advice, but it’s another matter being an actual parent – believe me! Please do not take any offence to that previous statement, as I feel you have offered some great advice, and seem to have an insight into parenting more than most people out there who have kids. But all I would say is that bringing up children is not an easy task and is perhaps the greatest challenge anyone can take on in life.

For me personally, I am finding out the hard way (due to my ignorance of not being a parent before) that I must learn (quickly) to adapt to every given situation in regard my relationship with Baby J, because he seems to change his behaviour and attitude from one day to the next.

I have to admit there are times when Baby J’s behaviour is quite alarming and even heartbreaking (well, for me), especially when one day he will cling onto you for his life, and then the next day he totally rejects you – another thing I must learn is to remain objective and not let emotions (as demonstrated by my feeling of “heartbreak”) play too much of a role when Baby J seemingly behaves negatively towards me.

The following quote from Stefan Molyneux serves as a reminder of how we should react to a child’s seemingly opposing and aggravating behaviour,

“The first thing that I think is really important, and has been really helpful to me in terms of dealing with my daughter is to remember that when she is upset she is not in opposition to me, but in fact she is trying to help me.”

As I wrote in this post, I am learning much from my son by just standing back and observing him:

http://www.knowledgereform.com/2009/08/09/the-wonderful-wisdom-of-becoming-a-child-again/

I think we just need to be aware that every child is different, and that there is no standard formula for parenting that will work for everyone. All I will say is that we must keep in mind not to impose on our children and corrupt them with our bullshit ways – but to allow them the room to grow and develop their own personality – hopefully, they will become wiser, happier and more inquisitive than us ignorant, miserable and narrow minded adults.

I just need to keep reminding myself, “I must let go! I must let go!”, no matter how hard I’m already finding that unadulterated prospect.

Here are a couple of positive things that you can do:

1. Learn everything you can on the knowledge & philosophy of buckminster fuller
2. Familiarize yourselves with the work of Michael Mendizza. He has produced two excellent lectures – Media and the Developing Brain & The Next Frontier in Education.

Michael’s work makes for a real PARADIGM shift in ‘how we think about education’…

I whole heartedly agree with you, brother, and some wise advice there for would be parents (including myself) to give their kids the freedom to grow and blossom into their own authentic being.

As for the late Bill Hicks, he was a true prophet of comedy and a good guy who told it as he saw it. Bill both penetrated our conscience, and raised our consciousness with his pinpoint insights and observations into all the pretentious bullshit and hypocrisy that society propagated and continues to propagate. The following quote from Hicks reveals all what he was about,

“I’ve had a vision. And what it is, is although this is a world where good men are murdered in their prime, and mediocre hacks thrive and proliferate, I gotta share this with ya, ’cause I love you and you feel that. You know all the money we spend on nuclear weapons and defense every year? Trillions of dollars? Correct? Trillions. Instead, if we spent that money feeding and clothing the poor of the world,which it would pay for many times over, not one human being excluded, not one, we could, as one race, explore outer space together in peace forever. You’ve been great. Thank you. (three gunshots)”

That was the last thing he said after his ‘Dangerous’ show.

May I also turn your attention to the late George Carlin who was in the same mould as Bill. In fact, the young Bill Hicks was very much inspired/influenced by the older George’s comedic value, iconoclastic views and philosophy of life.

Here is a great post on the man: http://thecriticalthinker.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/carlin-irreverent/

I highly recommend everyone to download some of Bill and George’s acts on either audio or video – there are plenty of torrents available.

Expect a post in the future about these two wise guys of comedy. In the meantime, here are a couple of websites for those who want to know more about these now past comedic geniuses:

http://www.billhicks.com/

http://www.georgecarlin.com/

He responded by saying: “The emotional effect on me is mixed, it is draining sometimes and encouraging other times (with respect to truth seeking).
On the other hand if you take it as just a ride,
then do you still care about what will happen to your children?”

Well, for one – anyone who is familiar with billy hicks work, will know that his “it’s just a ride” comment was part of a greater and absolutely beautiful piece of prose… see link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMUiwTubYu0

He was trying to tell us that our perceptions and manifestations are nothing but illusions. That it is “just a ride”, is because we do not really die. This existence (life) that we cling onto with all the values (baggage) that accompany it… are not the true reflections of who we really are!

If you can see your son as something more than j-junior, not as your possession but a free spirit not owned or shackled (mentally & physically) by his parents – you may be halfway there?

Some Advice for any Parents/Guardians:

1. Never tell your child to do something… “because you have to”!
2. Never tell your child not to do something… “because i said so”!
3. Never answer your child’s question… “because it is”!
4. Don’t lie to your children about the things you don’t under-stand!
5. Don’t tell your children they are obliged to do something (file a tax return/apply for a driving license/get a vaccine/go to a conditioning centre) – just because you do or did it!

In investigating the true nature & application of STATE apparatus… i have become more conscious of the fact that it is in fact my own friends & (older members of my) family that encourage me to believe that i am a citizen (slave) of the state… that i live in a place called eng-land and that i am bound by this (invisible) contract – despite never ever uttering my consent to its existence & dominion over me!

Where Foo Fighting is concerned – i have decided to start with myself & work backwards (or inwards)…

By severing emotional ties, i meant negative emotions such as those which can make one become attached, dependent and guilt-ridden in regard “the Family” situation. I feel that if these particular ties continue into adulthood, one can never become truly independent in both in thought and in action, which can ultimately effect your personal growth, self-esteem, confidence and self-reliance.

Once the negative emotions are out of the way, one can then truly build a sincere, loving and respectful relationship with family members – that’s if your parents can also grow and understand the need to let go – freedom is love after all.

However, this may not apply to everyone – Maybe there are families out there who live perfectly together like ‘The Waltons‘ and have no emotional problems whatsoever…but I have yet to see a family without some issues that needs to be dealt with.

So, I in no way advocate for kids to run away from their problems (and family), which in the long run will not solve any family issues. Communication is the key, so long as both parties are willing to listen to each other.

And that’s all I have to say on the matter.

I see my mum once a week and that’s more than enough for me, otherwise I will be permanently stuck in a childlike state.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my mum dearly but there comes a time in every young lad’s life that he must sever all emotional and psychological ties if he ever wants to grow and become a…YES…A Man.

Back to Stefan; As I have stated in my earlier comment, the focus of this post was mainly in regard parenting a child philosophically – something which I adhere to personally, as I feel it would hopefully provide my son with the solid foundations towards discovering for HIMSELF (just need to emphasise this point – parents can be imposing on their kids) the wisdom and knowledge to live a happy and self-fulfilling life.

Saying all that, despite my efforts of providing a positive guidance (or negative depending on his interests) for my son, there are so many different variables in life that can affect and influence my son to walk towards the darkness instead…so all I can do is shine the torch towards a hopefully better and revealing alternative – that’s if he wants me to.

Mr Blobby, glad to see you’re still alive and kicking…:)

The following link provided no useful information, with regards to your complaint about stefan: http://liberatingminds.forumotion.com/freedomain-radio-f26/quickies-t2023-30.htm#29589

This link was more informative (helped me under-stand your grievances): http://www.fdrliberated.com/?page_id=106

i haven’t listened to stefan’s parenting podcasts… but do feel that i now have a better under-standing of the origins of the FOO-FIGHTER…

On a more serious note – it will be helpful for folks (any folks) to give consideration to what they are ‘running to’… rather than what they are ‘running from’!

Also – you should be aware that de-fooing (as you call it) is something that all children necessarily undergo… as they prepare for adulthood (so-called). In the most extreme cases – where a son or daughter in their post adolescent stage; is still unable to say NO to a parent… it may be helpful to severe all ties, until such time as the child feels empowered enough to assert their own will. Once this metamorphosis is complete, it will (in most cases) enable a healthy relationship to flourish.

Also – the author of ‘fdr liberated’, clearly has an unresolved emotional attachment to stefan… whether they have projected him as a father figure, guru, friend or lover – i don’t know. But, from reading his/her diatribe it is easy to see that they have conflicting & unresolved emotions at play!

If you have problems with your own parents or children – i hope you can resolve them in a kind, mature & loving way!

Sincerely,

blobby

Also nice to have you visit here, and please continue sharing with the masses your thoughts and ideas on applying philosophy to every day life…:)