This last Saturday Mike went to Wendover with some co-workers, I had been at work all day and didn't want to make dinner besides it was memorial day weekend so we should do something fun right? Winter went to Lake Powell with my dad so it was just me and the 3 little kids so I let them pick. I am sure you will all be shocked to hear they picked McDonald's. So my kids got one of their awesome toys from Kung Fu Panda 2 and they were playing in the kids area Xavier came to tell me that some kid had taken his toy, So I went in to help him find it and this little kid had it, he was smaller so I told Xavier to just ask him nicely to give him his toy back, the kid wouldn't so I thought well we are at McDonald's they would all get the same toy maybe that one is his so I start looking all around the kid area for another toy laying around I don't see anything. Then a little switch happens Zarley set her toy down and Xavier picked it up and she thinks the same kid has picked it up I thought she might handle it better then Xman so I let her think it was hers missing and not his (upon further thought I can't help but think that is what happened then she took his so she had one) anyway we are looking for a toy and cant find one so I tell Zarley to go ask for another one well they won't give her another one they say she has to buy one for 1.82. NO way am I paying another 1.82 for a toy I will throw away when I already bought 3 kid meals. So I tell her sorry that's just how life is sometimes. Then I notice the little boy going home with his family, I notice the parents or grandparents( I really couldn't tell if they were parents or grandparents) anyway they are the couple that was sitting right on the bench watching me and my kids look all around for the damn toy, I also notice that they are leaving with 3 kids 3 toys, and only 2 kids meals. Really 2 kids meals? I was so angry yes it is a stupid toy but you obviously only bought 2 kids meals and and your littlest guy now has a toy, and you sat there watching me look for my kids toy, and your OK with it. That's what really got me, what are you teaching your kids, that it is OK to take someone else's toy, umm I hate to tell you but that is stealing. Zar was so upset she said that isn't fair she bought that and it was hers. I told her she was right and to remember that feeling, if she ever feels like she wants something of someone else's to remember how it feels. (not a lot of sympathy I know but I was really annoyed).
My next thing always causes a lot of controversy. So my teenager often says words she shouldn't I know that and Mike being a bit more sensitive than I am gets very angry, I like to pick my battles and also know as a teenager I said things that bugged my mom and knowing they bugged her made me want to say them even more, like singing the one potato two potato song (about farting). I am also guilty of saying things I shouldn't and I have been trying to be better about it. However there are certain things that bother me in this new politically correct world we live in. certain words that we use to say as kids and kids say now and have never been nice but now if you say them your a bigot hater. The part that bothers me is that they can say them and that is OK, I will go ahead and let you in on what I am saying since this is sounding much to cryptic... Fag and gay are the words Winter uses that she shouldn't but right now that isn't my point. The "N" word also falls into this category. If it is an offensive word isn't it offensive no matter who says it? Why is it OK for them either homosexual people to call each other fags or whatever but it is offensive if I say it, or for black people to call each other the "n" word but nobody else can say it I just don't get it. In that same thinking what about gay parades or BET. Would a straight parade or all white television be as accepted or would anyone involved in that be considered a racist or bigot? I just don't understand the double standard. Now go ahead and have your fits everyone.
My next thing is about competition or the lack there of, Winter competes in dance a lot. This year was a interesting yr, we tried some new companies and some of them have gone to this new system where your not against people but you are it is just stupid it kind of goes to this new way of thinking where everyone wins, drives me crazy. I don't pay as much money as I do for my kid to compete against a number system I want her to beat people.... This year wasn't as big of winning year for Winter but she tried a new style and she put herself into the advanced category. Which is another thing a lot of times we see people who have clearly put themselves in lower categories just to win,I just don't understand this I know everyone wants to win but don't you want to improve as well. The answer to this is NO. We are teaching our kids that they don't have to work hard anymore and everyone wins. This is not going to help them later in life because guess what not everybody gets the job or the promotion. The country is always saying we are falling behind in academics and such to China and other countries, well you want to know why? Because we are molly coddling our kids. Guess what peeps China doesn't molly coddle their kids they push them like no other. There is a definite head of the class, or a best hitter on the team. Don't kids need to learn that they aren't the best at everything or that hard work can make you better. My sister runs a dance studio, and some of the things that parents say or do baffles me (sorry Tiff if I ever fall into this craziness.) People always think their kids should be in the best groups and don't understand when they aren't put there. Can parents really not see what their kids are good at and where they are lacking or need more work? Oh and the reasons people come up with for missing important practices it just amazes me. Why aren't we teaching our kids the importance of commitment. My favorite is one mom saying she can't make things or whatever because she is really busy she has 4 kids you know.... seriously? My sister has 4 kids and is running her own business. Don't make the commitment if your to busy. Side note, my kid is the best! ;-)
I know it has been awhile since I let you all into the inner workings of my head, I am sure you all have missed this craziness. I bet right now you are all very envious of my husband and kids because they get to live with me and you all don't. Until next time.
2 comments:
I seriously think that most things like this in the world come down to laziness. The parents/grandparents just couldn't be bothered to deal with the kid freaking out if they took that toy away from him/her. It's just crappy. As far as words that our kids say that's a tough one. I think the best thing we can give/teach our children is good manners. However, it doesn't come overnight. I'm hoping as the kids get older it will be easier, once you can explain things to them and help them understand *why* certain words are't okay. You are right though, you have to pick your battles. Hmm .. competition. This one almost needs a comment all on it's own. I think that MVP type *awards* used to be more of a popularity contest. But the pendulum has swung to the complete opposite extreme. I think competition can be healthy and I think it's good to teach your kids to work towards things. There are winners and there are losers. While it's hard to be the loser it's motivating to work harder and "hard work" is definitely something that all kids should learn about. I think if competitions can be set up so that there is a whole lot more bias than there used to be then that would be a really good thing. There's also value in winning as a TEAM and losing as a TEAM. So there's that too I guess. Commitment is another big one. I agree, people don't operate with commitment anymore. It's sad and that's something I want my kids to learn. When you commit to something you commit to it, regardless of whether something better comes along.
Good post .. you and Hilary both got me thinking this morning.
I think laziness, on parents and in turn, their children, is having a huge negative effect on society . . .
Post a Comment