Our kids are lazy!!! Everyone is yelling at us, the parents, to get our kids away from the hypnotizing tube, the mind numbing video games, eat more healthy.get outside...for shame parents.. time out for you!..
This is MY concern... WHY THE HELL ARE "THEY" TELLING US THIS!!! We as parents should already know. But what is really going on here.? The media who has been filling our kids with temptation after temptation is now the parent?. I am confused ! Media bombards us with conflicting messages in commercials and shows . On the one hand unrealistic body images..high sugar foods..cell phones for 10 year olds..glorifying celebrities running amuck...violence and sexuality in video games...Then in the same breathe, be happy in your own skin..take care of your planet..eat your vegetables.. pop and snack machines banned in schools...stop bullying campaigns.. wonder why our children are lazy, sexual charged, defiant.. confused.? So ergo the about face!
Lets face it, no matter what, it all comes down to our choices. And thank the Lord women now have sooo many of them. But lets delve into that statement please... Because women have the wonderful opportunities to explore any career, both parents therefore work... away from the home.. long hours. Now the dilemma is can we effectively parent.? When I see the outcry that our kids are lazy, overweight, defiant, growing up too fast.. something has gone wrong. Please.. everyone .. go and pursue your dreams.. be all you can be.. but what are we first?.. PARENTS!! we chose to have children .. so why are we letting them down? Why are we letting the media control our children and now ultimately the parents?
My rant here as been ignited by a wonderful blog I read by Melissa Wardy at http://www.pigtailpals.com/ . She wrote of the Barbie/Princess phenomenon. She doesn't want her daughter getting swept off her feet by those unrealistic images. I too have daughters who loved the whole fairy princess, beautiful Barbie hype. My now 14 year old is a well rounded superstar! And she will tell you that I had a huge part in that. I have made it a point to always be there and be active in my daughter's lives. I have not one single regret that I fell short with her upbringing. I plan on the same principles dealing with my 7 year old. Yes, they have two distinct personalities but the foundations are still the same with how I parent. Just as Melissa mentioned in her blog.. a healthy dose of providing alternatives is a must. More importantly we are there to monitor. As I commented on Melissa's blog... I sat and played Barbies with my daughter and we made up stories that lacked the damsel in distress but involved stories with substance.. and of course goofy.. must have a laugh or too!! And how could you not laugh when Mattel came out with pregnant Barbie... come on..yeah had to try and explain that one off cleverly. Barbie as an Astronaut was easier!! But at least Mattel is slowly getting the picture that Barbie could possibly have a few brain cells!
We have such a hard time identifying ourselves. One part wants to be all pretty and have the door open for us.. the other says dude.. I can get the door!! I struggle with that all the time!! I am more the type that wants the man to know I can get my own damn door and you know it.. but I'd love it opened for me.. see. how complex and messed up is that!! lol Starting to feel sorry for the man in our lives.. or should I say mine!! lol.. I feel another blog!!
Please comment .. love to hear all the all the great insights into this steamy subject!!! More importantly, can we make a promise to stand up and take our children back from the big bad Media Monster!!!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
TEA BAG?.. no, it isnt my latest purse design!!
I am stretching this one big time... this blog has nothing to do with purses but loved loved the BAG reference...
My daughter comes home.. looking at me with her head down..
."mom... we talked about something in health class that was.. well... I dont get it"..
Ok.. so what did you talk about?
I cant say it
What do you mean.. just tell me
Can't
K...so it was a word?
Yes
So Spell it
Nope
What does it start with?
T
Uhm.. ta tas.. testicles..
MOM!!
Well I am trying here... running outta T naughty words
It is something you drink...in a mug.. her arms are acting out some wierd actions.. I am cracking up
What!! I am clueless
WAIT.. OMG... TEA BAG?
Yep
What the heck.. why are you talking about THAT!
We had a question session.. someone asked what is was... and the teacher let another kid tell us what is was.. it was so gross.. I still don't get it
I am laughing and freaking out at the same time! My straight A, God loving, morally upstanding teenager is never going to want to have sex now... well I don't want her having it now.. I mean.. ever!! like after she is 30! My views are pretty liberal when it comes to most things. Talking about this level of sexuality, that most adults are unaware of, is intolerable in a school health class. But if I think about it sexual content seems to be running a muck these days.
There seems to be a lot of hoopla over the sexuality in shows, and especially in music.. not even undertones.. more like in your face screaming at you lyrics. Artists are going too far with the highly sexually charged content. Yes.. I do agree that some are not only pushing the envelope but opening it right up and displaying the contents for ya!! Is it necessary?.. NOPE.. but if we don't shock then it is boring and mainstream. It is the Madonna formula. Shocking = more publicity. Her Truth or Dare tour could open up for Barney.. that is how raunchy music is now!
When I think back to my high school days and my music... I was a headbanger.. so Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Van Halen were some of my favs. Let's think of their lyrics. They had girls on the brain.. eluding to sex, drugs and rock and roll.. oh and let's throw some satanic references in there as well!! And as for the women of rock.. Lita Ford grinding on her guitar.. Lee Aaron chained up in her Metal Queen video. Is there really any difference? Maybe more explicit and violent lyrics but the same difference!
This is the real issue to me... Let me give you my theory. When we grew up we actually feared our parents. We wanted to do the right thing.. if we didn't.. there would be a nasty consequence. Parents now are encouraged to let our kids think free.. act free.. be boundary free. Heaven forbid we squash their identity. When in actually fact they don't have any identity.. they aren't old enough to establish such a huge request for the most part. When they are forced to grow up so fast how can they get to know themselves first. So they walk around like sheep looking toward others to mirror instead of looking inward for the best answers. And why are they wondering around.. they do not have a Sheppard. And their peers.. more sheep.. the blind leading the blind. Where are the qualities our parents gave us?.. the tools to be a strong and boundaries for example so we don't veer off our paths. And if we did veer.. and dabble in temptations.. those values our parents left us surfaced to guide us back.
Temptation knows no boundaries.. it has no shame. The key is to prepare our children. Parents need to commit to this.. not shirk their responsibility and let the schools deal with it. In my opinion if your child cant read it isn't the school's complete fault.. you as a parent should be involved in your child's everyday life. If your child fails.. you have failed. If a child is a trouble maker is it the child's fault?... it is the parents! How many of you know what your child is studying in school right now?.Sometimes I think the parents need a report card as well!! Just because you know how to have a baby..(maybe some of you conceived during one of those dirty songs..lol) doesn't mean you are qualified to raise it.
Strict is a term I am proud of. My girls know that Mom is pretty cool.. but when the important stuff is compromised.. watch out! Manners is huge for me. How we treat others. How we conduct ourselves. Respect for ourselves. I always tell my girls think before you do anything. Harder for my 7 years old to manage these ideals.. but she has displayed her understanding in different situations. She actually told me one time that a boy got his feelings hurt at school.. she said maybe now he will understand how I felt when he hurt mine. That was a beautiful revelation.. and for a 7 year old. Mamma was proud.
I think the universe is testing us by intensifying these temptations to make the parents of the world wake up. Instead of fighting the industry, fighting advertising why not equip our children with their own protective shield that blocks conformity and being sucked into all the hype and nonsense. If we don't feed the beast it cant grow. Instead feed our children with tools that will help make them make world a better place. A place they are comfortable in, strong in values and beliefs and they are happy and love themselves. And you as a parent can smile and say.. damn.. I am sooo proud of MY kid(s)!!!!
My daughter comes home.. looking at me with her head down..
."mom... we talked about something in health class that was.. well... I dont get it"..
Ok.. so what did you talk about?
I cant say it
What do you mean.. just tell me
Can't
K...so it was a word?
Yes
So Spell it
Nope
What does it start with?
T
Uhm.. ta tas.. testicles..
MOM!!
Well I am trying here... running outta T naughty words
It is something you drink...in a mug.. her arms are acting out some wierd actions.. I am cracking up
What!! I am clueless
WAIT.. OMG... TEA BAG?
Yep
What the heck.. why are you talking about THAT!
We had a question session.. someone asked what is was... and the teacher let another kid tell us what is was.. it was so gross.. I still don't get it
I am laughing and freaking out at the same time! My straight A, God loving, morally upstanding teenager is never going to want to have sex now... well I don't want her having it now.. I mean.. ever!! like after she is 30! My views are pretty liberal when it comes to most things. Talking about this level of sexuality, that most adults are unaware of, is intolerable in a school health class. But if I think about it sexual content seems to be running a muck these days.
There seems to be a lot of hoopla over the sexuality in shows, and especially in music.. not even undertones.. more like in your face screaming at you lyrics. Artists are going too far with the highly sexually charged content. Yes.. I do agree that some are not only pushing the envelope but opening it right up and displaying the contents for ya!! Is it necessary?.. NOPE.. but if we don't shock then it is boring and mainstream. It is the Madonna formula. Shocking = more publicity. Her Truth or Dare tour could open up for Barney.. that is how raunchy music is now!
When I think back to my high school days and my music... I was a headbanger.. so Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Van Halen were some of my favs. Let's think of their lyrics. They had girls on the brain.. eluding to sex, drugs and rock and roll.. oh and let's throw some satanic references in there as well!! And as for the women of rock.. Lita Ford grinding on her guitar.. Lee Aaron chained up in her Metal Queen video. Is there really any difference? Maybe more explicit and violent lyrics but the same difference!
This is the real issue to me... Let me give you my theory. When we grew up we actually feared our parents. We wanted to do the right thing.. if we didn't.. there would be a nasty consequence. Parents now are encouraged to let our kids think free.. act free.. be boundary free. Heaven forbid we squash their identity. When in actually fact they don't have any identity.. they aren't old enough to establish such a huge request for the most part. When they are forced to grow up so fast how can they get to know themselves first. So they walk around like sheep looking toward others to mirror instead of looking inward for the best answers. And why are they wondering around.. they do not have a Sheppard. And their peers.. more sheep.. the blind leading the blind. Where are the qualities our parents gave us?.. the tools to be a strong and boundaries for example so we don't veer off our paths. And if we did veer.. and dabble in temptations.. those values our parents left us surfaced to guide us back.
Temptation knows no boundaries.. it has no shame. The key is to prepare our children. Parents need to commit to this.. not shirk their responsibility and let the schools deal with it. In my opinion if your child cant read it isn't the school's complete fault.. you as a parent should be involved in your child's everyday life. If your child fails.. you have failed. If a child is a trouble maker is it the child's fault?... it is the parents! How many of you know what your child is studying in school right now?.Sometimes I think the parents need a report card as well!! Just because you know how to have a baby..(maybe some of you conceived during one of those dirty songs..lol) doesn't mean you are qualified to raise it.
Strict is a term I am proud of. My girls know that Mom is pretty cool.. but when the important stuff is compromised.. watch out! Manners is huge for me. How we treat others. How we conduct ourselves. Respect for ourselves. I always tell my girls think before you do anything. Harder for my 7 years old to manage these ideals.. but she has displayed her understanding in different situations. She actually told me one time that a boy got his feelings hurt at school.. she said maybe now he will understand how I felt when he hurt mine. That was a beautiful revelation.. and for a 7 year old. Mamma was proud.
I think the universe is testing us by intensifying these temptations to make the parents of the world wake up. Instead of fighting the industry, fighting advertising why not equip our children with their own protective shield that blocks conformity and being sucked into all the hype and nonsense. If we don't feed the beast it cant grow. Instead feed our children with tools that will help make them make world a better place. A place they are comfortable in, strong in values and beliefs and they are happy and love themselves. And you as a parent can smile and say.. damn.. I am sooo proud of MY kid(s)!!!!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
How High is Your Fence? "Neighbourship" Woes!
People should not live in close quarters!! We shouldn't feel like we are on parade every time we get mail.. have to get something from the car or raking up the last remnants of crappy old winter!
We have great expectations and illusions of grandeur when we first move in to our money pit! Its hard enough work moving, painting, decorating and trying to make our house and home. But for some reason out come the neighbours with welcoming smiles and soothing words to make us feel like we have chosen the best house on the best street ever! We are the new celebrity, they stare, they talk, they conjure up stories about us... ooohhhhh fresh meat!! The first to make contact goes and spreads the gossip around the neighbourhood like a wild grass fire after three months of draught!
Next thing you know we are invited for a BBQ... kids playing.. it's a page out of a movie... perfect weather.. laughing, wonderful food. As time rolls on.. we think.. wow.. this is the greatest house on the greatest street. And all could be sunshine and roses... BUT!! we end up breaking the cardinal neighbour rule....
WE GET TOO CLOSE! For some strange reason we become the confidant, the new best friend. We hear all about the gossip on the street.. who doesn't recycle,who's husband is out of town all the time and what couple go through a case of wine a week. You become the babysitter, plant waterer, mail collector because you just cant bring yourself to say no. The icing on the cake is when they open up all about their own marital issues. You are sucked in to this vile vortex for which there is no escape. You are doomed to look out your front window to have a quiet successful trip to the mailbox or put your garbage out!
My question is why are we the ones who are now put out.. made to live like a celebrity or prisoner in our homes while they go about their day.. usually waiting to see when you are available or being so bold as to just come over and knock.. and knock .. and knock. I had one who I swear could smell me when I was outside.. creepy! She would text, message, call.. all day!! UGH. We didn't ask for this twisted "neighbourship".. (my new word for neighbours who want to be too friendly). We only want a friendly hi when we pass.. or how are ya... great weather. We have friends whom we confide.. share feelings.. trust with secrets. This is a street with homes where we must all co habitat.. not high school with cliques and peer pressure. Didnt we have our share of that growing up.. and even in the workplace.? We just want to go home to our sanctuary.. where we can walk around naked.. blast tunes.. or have a quiet evening watching movies with the family.
Good Lord, where is that couple that go through the case of wine in a week... now I know why they do!!!
This blog was inspired by myself and my many neighbour woes and my sister who recently went through some crazy neighbour issues... tell me about yours!!!
Amanda
We have great expectations and illusions of grandeur when we first move in to our money pit! Its hard enough work moving, painting, decorating and trying to make our house and home. But for some reason out come the neighbours with welcoming smiles and soothing words to make us feel like we have chosen the best house on the best street ever! We are the new celebrity, they stare, they talk, they conjure up stories about us... ooohhhhh fresh meat!! The first to make contact goes and spreads the gossip around the neighbourhood like a wild grass fire after three months of draught!
Next thing you know we are invited for a BBQ... kids playing.. it's a page out of a movie... perfect weather.. laughing, wonderful food. As time rolls on.. we think.. wow.. this is the greatest house on the greatest street. And all could be sunshine and roses... BUT!! we end up breaking the cardinal neighbour rule....
WE GET TOO CLOSE! For some strange reason we become the confidant, the new best friend. We hear all about the gossip on the street.. who doesn't recycle,who's husband is out of town all the time and what couple go through a case of wine a week. You become the babysitter, plant waterer, mail collector because you just cant bring yourself to say no. The icing on the cake is when they open up all about their own marital issues. You are sucked in to this vile vortex for which there is no escape. You are doomed to look out your front window to have a quiet successful trip to the mailbox or put your garbage out!
My question is why are we the ones who are now put out.. made to live like a celebrity or prisoner in our homes while they go about their day.. usually waiting to see when you are available or being so bold as to just come over and knock.. and knock .. and knock. I had one who I swear could smell me when I was outside.. creepy! She would text, message, call.. all day!! UGH. We didn't ask for this twisted "neighbourship".. (my new word for neighbours who want to be too friendly). We only want a friendly hi when we pass.. or how are ya... great weather. We have friends whom we confide.. share feelings.. trust with secrets. This is a street with homes where we must all co habitat.. not high school with cliques and peer pressure. Didnt we have our share of that growing up.. and even in the workplace.? We just want to go home to our sanctuary.. where we can walk around naked.. blast tunes.. or have a quiet evening watching movies with the family.
Good Lord, where is that couple that go through the case of wine in a week... now I know why they do!!!
This blog was inspired by myself and my many neighbour woes and my sister who recently went through some crazy neighbour issues... tell me about yours!!!
Amanda
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)