Comments about ‘Parenting with rules and relationships’

"I have noticed that the missionaries I see who struggle so much with the rules do not seem to have a relationship with their Heavenly Father."

I seem to be noticing a trend, where bald assertions like this are becoming the attractive norm. I wonder, how you have been able to "notice" this about someone. Watching from the sidelines, it is easy to make assumptions like this. Still, my guess is that this statement speaks more to the rationalizations you make about said Missionaries, than anything you are able to actually observe.

Secondly, the employer situation is a little tougher. Employers often pat themselves on the back for their ability to lead and establish rules. Traditionally that meant they defined the production process, and therefore needed rules to optimize labor inputs. These "rules", traditionally meant long-hours, and rigid expectations. In recent years many progressive companies have begun to see it not as a matter of rules, but mutually beneficial cooperation. Soliciting employee input is recognized as among the best sources of information. Furthermore, the employer/employee relationship is recognized as the contract it is, putting the onus on employers to make the workplace an enjoyable enviroment.