Yeah because the kid needs SWEETS, yeah that will make her an amazing parent, problem solved! Shut up. When I was a kid I wanted to run away all the time, every time my parents said no (like good parents do). When I grew up I realized they were actually wonderful parents who raised 3 well adjusted people who contribute to society. Running away is just something idiots kids jump to every time they don't get their own way and want to do whatever they want, whenever they want. It is hardly indicative of poor parenting.

idiots kids? so you think the kids parents are idiots, and you said you tried running away too which makes your parents idiots. so we agree on at least two things. poster sounds like a shitty parent so suck a dick if you don't agree with me. also thanks for posting your life story BTW, you said you tried running away, maybe you should have tried harder.

Synsam-- how old are you?

I'm in my thirties and I have a kid. not sure if any of you have kids but I know if my kid wrote a note saying they hated me and then tried to run away, like actually attempted it no matter how successful I'd feel like I failed somewhere. now a five year old that doesn't get their way that is testing you by trying to go around the block or something that's different sure call it a pathetic attempt and make light of it but a teenager? come on you're a shitty parent if you don't feel even slightly responsible for that. would anyone be applauding the poster if they said their kid attempted suicide instead?

I'm not a parent but I spend a lot of time around 14 year olds. Part of being 14 is rebelling and pulling away from your parents. In fact, every year I have several students who 'run away' from home and returned chastened by similar doses of reality. It doesn't make their parents shitty parents. It makes them parents of 14 year olds. What would make OP a shitty parent is if he took his kid out for ice cream and tried to be his friend after this, instead of being the adult and the parent and making his kid face all of the unpleasant consequences of his actions.

It makes me really, really sad that you reproduced...

Buy your 14-year old ice cream after running away? Are you insane? Do you really want to reward him for that sort of behavior? First off, this is normal, almost cliché behavior for boys that age, so it is nothing to worry about. But the last thing you want to do it reward and/or encourage it. It teaches them nothing except maybe how it actually pays off to rebel.

so none of you have kids but are apparently experts at parenting i hope if and when you do hace kids they have enough courage to commit suicide it'd be best for everyone. lol keep down voting.

So you never went through the rebellious stage yourself? The one where you say 'I can do whatever I want'? To be honest, it probably makes life a little easier after the teens deal with it. Reality hits and they grow the **** up when they're ready or not and they (hopefully) become mature adults. Being a parent and not allowing your kids to make mistakes is a mistake in itself. How are the kids going to learn and grow up or even think for themselves and about consequences when you're apparently there for them, smothering with sweets and spoiling them? Rewarding your kids too much is a hazard too. They will learn to be greedy not grateful. Also, for you to call someone's parenting skills a failure when you have no idea what situation they're in and making poor assumptions like that, is a very idiotic thing to do in my opinion. Especially when YOUR solution is 'sweets' instead of affection.

You are really a disgusting person, joking about children committing suicide because their parents don't agree with your wacky sense of right and wrong? You really need some help. And how do you jump to the conclusion that no one else here has children? Mine is turning out just fine. I would feel like a failure if I never made him mad, "no" is something all children need to hear often.

its pretty hypocritical that I'm catching flack for having the unpopular opinion. I have no idea why going and getting ice cream and talking about it is a reward. would making dinner for the kid be a reward too? maybe letting the kid sleep in their own bed is too good for them as well, maybe this is why the kid tried running away to begin with. not once did I say I was praising the kids actions. I also find it pretty hard to believe that the parents that are critical of me or my approach don't seem like they would feel guilty for what their CHILD is doing. if your kid got caught stealing who would you blame? the kid? external influences? would you put blame on yourself? i would. seems like no one wants to take any responsibility. if you had a dog that bit and barked at everyone would you point the finger outwards or inwards? I've asked most of my friends with kids and some of my business partners and they all said they'd feel at least partly responsible and would talk to their kid. not one of them said they'd call their kids actions 'a pathetic attempt'. end of the day the poster, from WHAT THEY'VE POSTED, and until they convince me otherwise, sounds like a shitty parent. of course I'm not judging them on the stuff I don't know about why would I? I don't know it. you are quick to judge me but all you know is what I've posted its called judging and I'm basing mine on what info is present. if you disagree great disagree, it's not going to persuade me otherwise in fact its only cemented my parenting methods not all kids try to run away from home don't any of you think this is a serious problem?