So, what's the deal?

     So, there is something that has been bothering me and that I really don't understand.  Well, it's not so much that I don't understand as it is that they just really bug me.  Maybe someone out there can give me some input on this topic.  First thing is this...what is the deal with moms these days being so anti everything that has to do with the way we were raised back in the day?  There are moms who are anti sugar, anti chocolate, anti tv, anti jarred baby food, anti vaccinations, anti spanking...you get the picture.  It really annoys me sometimes that I actually pay a little bit of attention to opinions out there and start over analyzing my parenting style.  Here's the deal, I know that my parents weren't perfect and that all the parents from years ago weren't perfect, but take just a minute to look at the behavior of children today versus the behavior of children years ago.  I can say from first hand experience that children (most children) are not taught to behave these days!  I firmly believe that the reason for this is that there are no consequences for poor behavior now.  I'm NOT saying that you should always spank your child when he/she doesn't behave, but I'm not saying I'm against spanking either.  Let me give you an example of the lack of consequences.  At work, when we finally get to the point that we have to call a parent about their child's behavior, 9 times out of 10 they don't do anything to help!  They usually act more annoyed than anything that we had to call.  Our hands are tied as to what we can do to help children behave.  We are limited to time out...that's it.  So, it is up to parents to help us, which they usually fail to do.  So, back to my original point....why do parents think it is ok for kids to act like this? 
     Now, to my next point (gripe...whatever you want to call it)....why are so many parents so anti everything else?  What is wrong with a little sugar in moderation?  Or a little chocolate in moderation?  Or, television sometimes?  I'm NOT a bad mother if I choose to allow my kid to be a kid and enjoy a popsicle in the summer or watch a pointless cartoon that doesn't teach him anything other than how to laugh!  One of E's very favorite cartoons is Tom & Jerry and I am thrilled!  He doesn't have to count in another language or find hidden shapes or anything else...he can just watch the show.  News flash....it is not someone else's job to teach your child what they should know (that includes cartoons).  If you leave it up to their friends or teachers or friends' parents then your child is going to learn what OTHER people want him to know and it won't necessarily line up with what you believe.  My child is very smart and it's not because we avoid sugar, chocolate, tv, spanking, or jarred baby food when he was little!  It is because we spend time reading, learning, singing, and playing.  Oh, and I hate vaccines also, but I know that the benefits of them outweigh the cons so we had him vaccinated.  We use a great pediatrician and we discussed our concerns with him beforehand and settled on vaccines that we felt comfortable with.  Why would anyone want to risk their child's health? 
     Ok whew!  That was long I know, but I feel much better getting that off my chest!  Thanks for listening...er, I mean reading!