Feb 10
13
Lynne Curtin:Common Sense Not So Common
As we have seen the Curtin family struggle from week to week on the Real Housewives of Orange County, this author gives his perspective.
excerpt from the OC Register:
From time to time, I’ll catch an episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County with my wife, and marvel at the parenting in these well-to-do households. A continuing story line this season is Lynne and Frank Curtin’s attempts to get through to their teenage daughter.
Whether this ‘reality’ show really represents reality, only the producers of the show or the families know. If it is a true reflection of the situation, get ready to learn what not to do. I think the show probably distills a complex problem into very simplistic terms.
As portrayed on the show, Alexa does whatever she wants, whenever she wants. She argues, taunts and cries to get what she wants or to escape uncomfortable situations. She has grown up with seemingly no restrictions, and as a 17-year-old, isn’t going to start listening anytime soon. Lynne tries to go between being her best friend and an authority figure.
Talking to veteran parents, they have told me that I haven’t seen anything yet (my daughter Kate is 8 ½ years away from turning into a teenager). When a kid becomes a teenager, that age brings new and different challenges.
As a casual observer of the show, you would think some common sense would make an appearance at some point. But I think starting early, standing firm and applying consistent boundaries and consequences will save lots of grief later on. Ask me in 10 years and I’ll tell you how it’s going!
