I write this blog at night most of the time. While slightly distracted and just before bed. It means most of my thinking here is pre-dream farts. Inconsistent and a bit silly and of limited value. These last five posts were all written in the car on the way to and from church. I think they’re of a higher quality. They’re spicier, anyway.

I do feel a bit bad writing them beside Roby in her carseat. I should probably be playing games and paying more attention to her instead of rambling here. But she’s listening to the Frozen soundtrack and that’s something.

I do believe we’ve reached a point of needing to more strictly limit screen time and presence in front of Robinia. We watch Frozen an awful lot, and Roby pictures (showing Roby pictures and videos of herself) are a real crutch for when we’re tired or she’s in a real bad mood. It’s weak and it is likely building bad habits.

I’d imagine a psychotherapist would have a field day with looking at pictures of herself as a soothing habit. I’d certainly make fun of someone who wasn’t me for doing it. Hell, I’m making fun of myself for it right this second.

It’s clear to me that an issue is at hand, a need for change imminent, or even in the rear view.

That Roby is essentially perfect is not a real comfort.

That’s the whole “if she’s a good person” argument for when to curtail or prohibit something.

Parents are not cops.

In fact, I’d say parents are the opposite of cops.

A police officer really can only act, as far as I understand it, after a crime has been committed. Bringing the perpetrators to justice for what they’ve done.

A parent’s job is to figure out what mistakes might be made and to change the trajectory of children through thoughtful love and education, context and suggestion. Carrot and stick.

The occurrence of a failure or a shortcoming is a failure or a shortcoming of the parent.

If a child is not a “good person,” whatever that means, it’s not their fault. It is the fault of the parent for not foreseeing the nearly infinite ways the world can turn a person into a real jerk.

One such way is too much time in front of moving pictures.