High-fiving your children is the pits according to a parenting expert, and should stop. A return to a good old pat on the back or a clipped ‘well done’, is the preferred way of congratulating a child. The man behind these claims is family psychologist, John Rosemond.
He shared the controversial opinion in a recent column for Omaha World-Herald, in which he said a high-five is a 'gesture of familiarity, to be exchanged between equals' and seeing parents do so makes him want to 'scream'.
He claims he even refused to high-five his five-year-old grandson, to his adult son’s bewilderment, explaining that respect for adults is important for a child’s character development and the high-five is simply 'not compatible with respect'.
The parenting expert goes on to say that he doesn't believe children are equals and to treat them as such is, in the long run, a disservice to them and the adults around them
Another of his parenting tips is to never allow children to call adults by their first names, sleep with their parents, or have "free access" to money.
Is it common sense, or as some parents think, a bit old-fashioned.
"Children should know their place," he adds, "and adults should know their place too. Make no mistake, the happiest kids are also the most obedient. The research says so, as does one’s common sense."
As expected, his views have set Twitter on fire and some opposing views from other parenting experts with one doctor saying ‘he’s wrong.’
One person posted: "This doctor high-fives patients. I still command respect. Maybe he's doing something incorrectly."
Another said: 'It's just a fun, non-verbal way that they can acknowledge a compliment or show agreement with something."
A third wrote: "I'm not getting how this is disrespectful or demeaning to an adult. It's like patting someone on the head or ruffling their hair, not a 'thing between equals."
"Here I was, clearly not realising that the high-five was not a casual gesture, but in fact, a weighty, solemn practice reserved for mature adults who have proven their salt," joked a different person.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
