Ceremonial Pitch with Style

I read this article this morning. I have never read The Prince, but the parenting methods she "discovered" are commonsense things that parents have been handing down to children for centuries. Instead of buying them things, give them money ...and they will learn the value of money. Punish them when they break the rules. Duh. How did she never know these things before?

Yes, Machiavellian mom, you have successfully made your children weaker. The whole point of that quote is that working together makes groups stronger. Are your children a threat to you? Keep them pitted against each other so they don't jeopardize your ruling authority? This is just silly.

And don't her kids all look happy and well-adjusted? I see lots of escapism (drugs, etc.) once they hit teenage years and lots of therapy when they hit adulthood. Success in life is important but not nearly so important as having the security of a family that's loving and supportive [Deleted - No insults please]

From the article:

Being permissive and nice hadn't worked with my children. Begging, bartering, harassing and even politely asking hadn't worked either. But perhaps a pragmatic, tough-minded Machiavellian strategy would. With "The Prince" in hand, I set out to become a full-fledged Machiavellian mom.

There are options other being permissive and being an emotional manipulator.

Some of the things she did, as Miss C points out, are normal parenting. But intentionally pitting family members against each other? No. That's messed up.

My wife and I use 1-2-3 Magic. It works well for us.

I guess she never read Siblings Without Rivalry. Good grades are not with damaging family relationships.

Wow, she's really awful, even theoretically speaking. The aim of The Prince was not to create loving well adjusted people, it was to subdue them. Her techniques don't even take into account that her kids may have different needs. Oh well, they are hers to rule I guess.

This is a travesty of Machiavelli's advice. It is the application of tactics for enemies being applied to the home team and as such will destroy it.