kris ~ I use the term "benevolent dictatorship" also. Both at home and at school.
My own children and my students are free to state their opinions respectfully but in the end it's me (or at home ~ husband and me) that makes the rules and enforces the consequences.
I tell my daughters that they can make their own rules when the have their own home and I tell my students that they can make the rules when they have a college degree and get a teaching job. :grin:
by the way, when did cussing a parent become free speech? To me, that is just immature, rude and disrespectful behavior.
~Kathy
