Mollycoddle Your Children?

[MWG14]

Somebody told my wife this morning that parents who do not mollycoddle their children are actually child abusers.

What do you think?

[Neveracrossword]

I think the person who said it is very silly, it's a totally senseless remark. Your wife should totally disregard it.

[Mamyalynne]

I think that's a sweeping statement and on its own makes no sense.

[horselady]

What a ridiculous statement.

[MWG14]

The woman wasn't directing this at my wife - our children & grandchildren are adults. It was a general remark in conversation.

[bhg481]

I think the reverse is true - people who mollycoddle their children are doing them no favours at all in preparation for their life in the real world.

[Mamyalynne]

There has to be context, the word 'mollycoddle' could and likely does mean many things to many people.

Throughout their lives I have mollycoddled,spoilt,protected,chastised,doled out tough love and generally been the wicked witch of the north to our two.

[Neveracrossword]

I didn't give any thought as to the remark being aimed at your wife, it's just totally senseless anyway.

[douglas9401]

I wonder if the opinion giver was American.

[Calicogirl]

No mollycoddled kids have a very hard time in life.
Much better to bring children up to be self reliant, respectful, independent, hard working and innovative, none of which you get form being mollycoddled.
That being said we're assuming the person using the word actually knows what it means, she might very well think it's merely being affectionate and supportive ( which is more than necessary as well), just seems such an odd thing to say.

[LadyCG]

Children should be taught manners, social interaction, home economics (particularly how to live within their means), good family values, how to cook properly and eat well, how to read and write properly and how you get out of life what you put into it. They should not be taught to expect everything to be handed to them on a plate or that actions have no consequences.

Mollycoddling is hardly tantamount to abuse, but it does the recipient no favours in the long run. Baby G has plenty of love from both his parents but he's not smothered all day long. All in all he's a happy, confident, mischievous, inquisitive little boy who loves to laugh. I hope he continues to flourish in that same vain.

[woofgang]

I think that both words are being used in a judgemental and discriminatory way.

[MWG14]

The person who made the remark was not American, by the way Douglas9041.

[johnk]

LadyCG's got it right.