I have drilled in to my children from the time they were old enough to understand, all the way to present, that all people should be treated equal.  This goes for race, religion, birth defects, learning disabilities, handicaps, mentally challenged, etc.  I have patiently answered questions, I have patiently explained.  I have patiently given examples that would apply to my children as to why they should never stare, or treat people different.  As with all kids, I never really knew whether or not any of this really sunk in, or if I was talking to a brick wall.  I do know my children do not judge people based on race or religion, but we had not been out in a situation that someone would look different until the other day.

I had to take The Princess to the doctor.  While we were there, a very young cancer patient came in.  If I had to guess, I would say in the 7 or 8 year old range.  The child had obviously been through chemo, as the child had no hair.  I realized during the long wait we had in the waiting room, that all my lectures about treating people equal had really sunk in with my children.  Not only did The Princess NOT stare at this child who looked very different, but when the child walked in, The Princess gave her a beaming smile, said hi, and went back to reading.  The only other time she looked at this child was when the child started to giggle about something, The Princess looked up to see what was funny, smiled at her again, and went back to reading.

As we were leaving the doctor's office, another cancer patient was coming in, this one a little older.  Again, The Princess smiled her beaming smile, said hi, and continued on. This child was very confused.  I assume it is because he is not used to people smiling and saying hi?  I don't know.  But I was very proud of The Princess for handling this as she did.  She waited until we were safely in the car and driving away to even ask why those two children did not have hair.  We talked about cancer, chemo, etc. She's a sensitive little soul, so she was very sad for these kids.  I did explain that it is likely the treatments they are going through are helping.

I feel it is our job as parents to teach our children to treat everyone equally.  There are too many disrespectful children, and I blame it on the parents.  I have seen too many times children who have no problem telling someone they are fat, or ugly, or stupid.  I have also seen too many times children who make fun of people with learning disabilities, mental or physical handicaps, or their race.  We all know this is wrong on so many levels, yet there are so many parents out there who do not teach their children this is not acceptable, and do nothing to correct it.  These parents are also some of the people who are outraged at the disrespect of today's youth.

Hell-fucking-OOOOOOOOOO.  Do your job as a parent, and help turn that around.  Children learn through example, and children learn what you as a parent teach them.  If you are not teaching them manners, respect, and how to treat others you have no right to bitch.  You, as the parent, need to do something to change this.  You, as the parent, need to teach your children.  You, as the parent, need to do your job and be the parent.  You are not your children's friend.  You are not your children's buddy.  You are the parent, start acting like it.

I saw this and thought it was funny.  And since it would get reported on FB, I'm posting it here.

Holidays and ADD

As I wrapped the last Christmas gift a little bit ago, I was in deep thought over how birthdays and holidays affect my son.  Since I was in such deep thought, I wasn't paying attention and I dropped the Millennium Falcon, and it made all kinds of noise.  My son, who was supposed to be asleep, in his room, with the door closed (note, my door is closed too) heard the noise.  I hear him pop out of bed, open his door, start banging on my door WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THERE MOMMY.  Oh, I'm really tired I'm sleeping.  NO YOU ARENT, YOU'RE PLAYING WITH TOYS!!!! That one's a smart one he is.  Go back to bed. lol  How can he hear this through two closed doors, yet he can't hear me say his name when I'm sitting right next to him?

I don't talk much about my children, so most all of you don't know my son has ADD.  Birthdays and holidays are very hard on him.  There are so many new things, and he wants them all open right now.  RIGHT NOW.  Patience is something we have been working long and hard on, but it does not come easy to him.  His mind jumps forward too fast, and he can't stay focused, especially when faced with new toys.  I know I should be looking forward to Christmas, and cherishing the fact this is my last baby being so excited for Santa to come.  But honestly, I'm dreading our Christmas morning.  He's meticulous about not tearing wrapping paper, so it takes him a while to open anything.  He then wants to study it for a minute.  I have no problem with this, I don't rush him, he does things at his own pace.  The problem always comes when he is done unwrapping everything and borderline freaks out because he can't decide what to play with first.  It's too much for him.

This year, I finally got smart.  Most everything can be played with together.  This is going to eliminate some of the short attention span/focus problem, and being overwhelmed for him.  There of course are some other educational things, and his favorite, clothes.  But for the most part everything can be played with together, and I think this is really going to make this Christmas morning so much easier for him.  In birthdays and Christmases past, I have gotten in the habit of opening boxes to get guys/cars/whatever it is out to be one step ahead of him.  This has also helped a lot.

I have been a parent a long time.  What worked with one child did not work with the others.  My son has been my biggest challenge to find what works with him.  But he and I understand each other.  I can find what works for him because I relate.  There is too much "excitement" this time of year for him anyway, it overwhelms him to easy.  We have quiet down time to try to help with that.  Reading is his new passion, so we read a lot.  I will be happy when the holidays are over though, so we can get back to our normal schedule.

And just in case you didn't catch it up at the top of this blog, that's right, all my wrapping is done. I just felt the need to make sure you knew this :)

Merry Fucking Christmas. Is it over yet?

I know I am on a tangent about parenting lately, but it seems like every single time I leave the house I am hit with it.  Before I go any further, and before someone comes along trying to start shit, I never claimed to be a perfect parent.  I have made mistakes along the way.  BUT, I have also been very consistent with what I expect from my children, and have always stayed on top of any behavior that got out of line.  This is why my children are polite, respectful, and behave when I leave the house with them.

1.  If you know your child requires a nap at a certain time, don't try to force the little darling in to being happy about sitting on a stranger's lap when said child misses their nap.  I'm not sure who was more frustrated by that meltdown, Santa or you.  Regardless, it's not fair to your child, and it's definitely not fair to Santa.

2. If you know your toddler is scared to death of Santa, do not force your child to sit on his lap.  Holding him down while he's flipping the fuck out is not cool.  I'm surprised Santa didn't bitch slap you to be honest.  And it did look like he was going to.

3.  Keep your kids in check.  Allowing them to run around aimlessly knocking in to people, and running over toddlers is not cool.  Laughing when that happens makes me want to run you over.  With a truck.  And then put it in reverse and run you over again.

4.  The malls are crowded this time of year.  Nobody likes that.  But stopping to stare at the ceiling right fucking in front of me not once, but three times, causing me to run in to you all three times does in fact result in me saying "bitch get the FUCK out of my way".   Don't look offended.  There was nothing on the ceiling of interest.  Yes I stupidly looked to see if I had missed something, and guess what? I didn't.

5.  When mall security is chasing you through the mall, the smart thing would be to stop.  Face it, you're caught.  Don't start screaming about your rights when you are met at the other end of the mall by the other half of security and tackled.

6.  Do not look at me like that for taking my children in to Hot Topic. There is nothing in there they shouldn't see.  They go with me in to Victoria's Secret and you didn't give me a dirty look then, so what's the problem here? And really, are you following me?  and why?

7.  I understand you have a job to do.  I do.  But you need to understand I have serious allergies.  Come at me with that spray bottle one more time after I tell you No Thank You, very politely, not once, but FOUR times and you are not going to be happy.  The third time I even told you why.  Don't try to convince me I'm not allergic to your shit, because as I walked by I immediately started sneezing and wheezing.  Trying to follow me as I walk by is not helping your case, nor will it change my mind. Keep that fucking thing away from me.

But, I do want to say one thing.  As I was leaving the mall, a teenage boy started kind of trying to bust past me.  I opened my mouth to say something when I heard him start yelling "Ma'am let me help you with that" I looked towards where he was running and saw an elderly lady who was carrying a LOT of stuff.  He went and helped her get it all in the car.  The parents of that teen boy deserve a medal for raising a son like that.

And now on to the grocery store.....

1.  Apples are not things for your children to play catch with.  They are also not weapons of mass destruction for them to then start throwing AT each other.  Don't get all bent out of shapen when I tell them to knock it off.  Get off your cell phone and do your job as a parent.

2.  How many times must I say this?  Keep your children from running around like wild animals. 

I just don't understand people.  I really, really don't.  And honestly I have given up trying.

lol