We've been hearing a lot about how Scientology's sway over Suri Cruise was the breaking point with Katie Holmes. Word has it Scientologist handlers watched Suri's and Katie's every move, Katie couldn't discipline Suri the way she liked, and Suri had already started the bizarre "sec checking" process of being asked a bunch of wackadoodle questions while hooked up to a machine. But when it comes to being a kid Scientologist, it doesn't sound all bad. In fact, parts of it sound downright awesome.
Scientology apparently teaches parents that kids aren't mindless amoebas to be helicopter-parented into a quivering mass of future anti-depressant addiction. No, Scientology kids are treated like ADULTS. Yowsa. A Scientology expert explained in the Daily News:
[Tom and Katie] seemed to be following the Scientology philosophy that kids should make their own choices and be treated like adults.
She says this "pseudo" adulthood isn't healthy for a child and "cringes" at reports of Suri wearing high heels and makeup and staying up late with Tom and Katie as they had long dinners in restaurants.
More from The Stir: Katie Holmes Should Have Had the 'Scientology Talk' With Tom Cruise Years Ago
Apart from the high heels bit (I was a tomboy), this parenting style doesn't sound much different from what I grew up with. I didn't grow up with Scientologists, but with a hippy mother who generally treated me like an adult. Not that I didn't get into trouble on occasion, but the main rule of the house was, "Get back by dark." And that was about it.
On the other hand, I was naturally a pretty good kid. I took on paper route delivery jobs; I got good grades without trying very hard. There are other kids who probably NEED micro-parenting. But growing up with a laissez-faire mother allowed me to figure out what I wanted out of life and then go for it.
Obviously, a 6-year-old like Suri shouldn't be making all of her own decisions. But I applaud the idea of viewing children as people with their own ideas about life -- ideas that may conflict with yours. And then letting them make their own decisions and mistakes -- within reason, of course.
Now if Scientology can just do away with that E-Meter thingy.
Do you think children should be treated more like adults?
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Comments 34
Bahahahaha! Adults? Their BRAINS are not even fully grown. They are small, not fully developed people and how ridiculous to assert that they should make their own decisions.
Treat them like adults and let them make their own decisions.....I want to see Tom be okay with Suri deciding (because of course she can at 6!! *I am just kidding*) to have a rum and coke!!
You must teach your child what is right and wrong at the same time while they attempt independence. An instance of this should be in every day life for the child. I have a 3 month old daughter, my first and only, and the independence she gets now? When it's bed time she is in her bed and mommy and daddy sit down and watch a movie away from her. If she cries, yes she is tended to, but she only does that if she needs her binkie or a bottle. She knows that when lights are out and she's safe in her bed, it's relax time and goes to bed on her own. When she is big enough, I hope to give her enough freedom so she can show me how responsible she is.
Ya know honestly....I don't treat most "adults" like adults. My eight year can handle responsibility and maturity much better than the "adults" I watch in my part of the country....
They should have boundaries and rules. I let my children make decisions on what to wear, with some rules. I also make them take responsibility when I do let them make their decisions.
This article seems more about how to NOT be a helecopter parent than how Siru Cruise's Scientology unbringing didn't suck. Good hook, though, well played - A bunch of us read it.
while there are things that are enticing about Scientology, there is a lot that people outside the cult dont ever really realize.. Hubbard began this cult because it was a 'major money maker' and then his FOLLOWERS began to make strange conditions to being introduced to the long lists of "leveling" up.. Hubbard was a SCIENCE FICTION writer with a hugely successful idea on how to make BILLIONS. they really do believe they are 'not of this world' , literally. but whatever floats your boat...
@ A_Watcher I read some of the stories in that website, no wonder they treat kids like adults, they have to fend for themselves while the parents are out looking for new people to join/ recruit. Some of the stories just sad.