First, If you read my blog below, let me thank the folks who had the gumption to actually respond with some opposing comments and some bigoted comments. And phooey to the people who decided to send me hate email. The internet is supposed to be about free speech and exchange of ideas. Some people have forgotten that.
Parenting. It surely is not what it used to be. And what I mean is the theory behind parenting. Oh… how many times do I hear parents say, you do not understand. You do not have any children. My general statement to this is snarky, “Actually I have 150 children! I do not need any in my personal life!”
Yes. I do not have any children of my own. Because I have thought this through. Unless I have the money, I am not going to bring a child into this world. And I would need a husband too. Those are hard to find. At least to my standards and values. I am no Murphy Brown. How many stupid people do we have who think babies make it better and have children and do not have the money or really the desire to take on the task. My parents were dirt poor and did not family plan. Our lives were miserable. It sucks being poor. It sucks to have to mortgage your house to pay for your sport.
Parents are yelling and screaming at me that they can not watch their children 24/7. Yes. But when you bring a child in the world, for 18 years, they are your responsibility and you loose any freedom you had as an independent adult. That is your number 1 job. If you can not take that responsibility, do not have children.
I can not tell you how many times I have had parent/teacher conferences about how the parent can not figure out to do with their child because they will not behave. But then they simply can not take their car away from their child because they would have to take the school bus to school and not have star bucks or hang out with their friends, or other frivolous stuff. Boo Hoo.
How many times did I see parents when I worked at the Science Center say, “If you do that one more time we are going home?” Then they stay when said child continues to disobey.
By district law, I am supposed to contact person to person in a direct manner any of my seniors who could fail my classes and tell them this. One girl’s parents are vacationing in Florida for 2 weeks and will not be back until the end of this week. She is left on her own… alone. Technically a minor with out supervision.
And back to the internet issue. Many comments about not watching children 24/7 bla bla bla. Other comments about educating children on internet issues. They know the issues and students like to disobey. One person commented on a class and the instructor could not see a site because of a school fire wall. A sophomore student got around that. Duh! I could have gotten around that because I have educated myself. I know the tricks. I can cut a student off. What this instructor should have been teaching are the ADULTS. Teach them what to look for. How to do it themselves.
Knowledge is Power! Get some people!
This goes beyond the internet too. This is a tech problem. People are so ignorant and stupid about stuff. I am a technology point person for my building. At least 5-10 times a school year I have to go to someone’s room whose computer is “broken.” Well… it is not turned on. Give me a break! Teachers can not even keep up.
3 years ago when energy drinks became popular, some of the older teachers were allowing Sparks to be drunk in class. It is an alcohol drink. In an ASB election speech that was previewed by the ASB teacher, a male made reference to his groin and how large is was and several drug references. Slang of course, but still…. if you are in the cultural teen know, it was obvious. People are dancing to the Superman Song. That is a song about a sexual act people. And here I see parents and teachers requesting the song at dances to dance with the students. A joke in a sick and twisted way.
Am I hard core. You bet. Do I think that CPS should take a child away from parents if they can not get him/her to school even as a teen? Yes. Do I think the Meier parents should have had CPS take away their children because they allowed their children to make myspace accounts. Yes. Any other parent too! It was against the rules. It is age 14 for a reason. It could be putting a child at risk. We have age limits for a reason. Worse has happened to parents. Children have been taken away from parents for not using seat belts, care seats, leaving them in a vehicle while parents shop for groceries or at home unattended. And I am talking ages 10-13. If we do this for these types of acts, we should do them for all.
Adults… Do you and your spouse like to travel? Do you like to work a lot? Poor? Like to eat out a lot, spend time alone with each other? Do you not like being the bad guy? Would you hate disciplining a co-worker or having to fire someone? Then a child is not for you. Children are selfish and take 18 years of your life If you are ready for the commitment. If not, do not have any. Get a cat or dog.
For the record. I like JK Rowling’s written work. I also like William Faulkner, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and especially Beowulf. I am sorry if you can not read literary works and understand their thematic value. Do not spout your bigoted speech to me. I hate bullies of all kinds and lets make a deal. You do not visit my site ever again if you are offended, and I will not visit yours.
My logo/symbol is to protect my identity and people I know. I would rather not be identified. Oh… I am not a satanist. Elephants have been my favorite animal since I was 5 years old. Bats are my second favorite animal and my love for them started when I had to create bat classes for the science center when we got an exhibit. Purple and green are my favorite colors. The Elephant is holding a curling broom because I love the sport. That is the meaning behind the logo and my tattoo I created. Nothing religious at all people.
Oh… But did I mention I am also a reverend? If anyone needs the services of a person of the cloth, let me know and I could help you out!
December 9, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I agree with you 100% , Mel! Thank you!