Praising your kid in front of your kid, in public, when he deserves it, for example at the end of a game where he played well: that's good, that's just... normal.
Talking about your kid, when he's not here, and presenting him, or your relation to him, in such a way that you benefit from the exposition: I don't think that's ok. Abuse is certainly too strong a word, but it's related.
That being said:
"Talking about your kid, when he's not here, and presenting him, or your relation to him, in such a way that you benefit from the exposition"
Is this abuse?
"For all it's worth, I love my kids. Of course. And I would throw myself under a bus for any of them. Of course. And I almost have, twice (under my motorbike, which is not a bus, but weights over 400 pounds)."
Because, in this context, you are using your child and your relation to them, as well as your love, as a way to bolster your own argument. It's a way to lend credibility and weight to what you have to say. It could be said that you felt your arguments couldn't stand on their own without making it clear that you're a parent.
=)
No, I dont' think it's abuse. I understand what I think you are trying to say: using those that would treat their children as mere accessories rather than children. But honestly, I don't think that's something you can see from one single post. Jeff made a post on a blog. It had some commentary, some interesting thoughts. It was something he had on his mind, and wanted to share it. He also used it as a segue into announcing the future birth of twins.
To equate his post on his personal site announcing the pregnancy to abuse is, if I may be so bold, absurd.
> downvoters should try to take care of my kids for a few days
And it could be equally said upvoters should take care of my kids for a few days.
Kids are different, and some can be an absolute joy, and others a nightmare. And you see both sides. People complaining, and people happy.
Throughout my life, I've heard people say "Just wait until..." and at that moment, I'll understand what they've said.
Sometimes this is the case. Sometimes it isn't.
Just wait until you're me. You'll understand.
Really? It's abuse to praise your kids in public? Do you really feel that praising your child in public is the same as abusing them?
Regardless of whether that praise is warranted or not, you're calling it abuse?
I honestly think you are disconnected. I understand you are trying to make a point, and while I didn't necessarily agree, I could respect that opinion. But when you started to define praise in public as abuse (that whole line of thinking), I really think you lost it.
The worst part is, I could see what you were thinking. I just think it's so disconnected from reality. This explains why you think and feel the way you do. This could be a cultural thing (you are from France). Might also just be who you are. But I honestly think you are disconnected, and that can only hurt your opinion.