It is a problem now the way children seem to behave. They have very little respect for adults and don't do anything they are told. I have two children 6 and 8 and have found raising them the hardest thing I have ever ever done. Saying that, I wouldn't be without them. They are not perfect and not little angels and have pushed me to the limit at times. But, I can say that when we go out they are well behaved. They do not cheek me or answer me back in ways I see other children do to their parents. This has been through huge, huge amounts of effort and tears from the beginning. Discipline needs to be set right from the start, and that doesn't mean smacking. But I agree, the way I see some children behaving and the parents just screeching their heads off or ignoring. It is just so sad. The next generation are growing up in a world where they have stimulation everywhere that they just can't seem to behave without the constant TV and console games, bits of plastic fads and all the time going to theme parks etc. I despair of the future for them. When they start school it is even worse as so many of the children haven't been taught morals and good manners and discipline is the last thing they know. I do not know the answer, only firm love with your children from the beginning. And like I said, I don't believe in smacking as a punishment.