Friday, May 28, 2004
Fourteen dollars to Plastered
My 27 year old DH is drunk. For the first time ever. N is having fun with my parents, and DH and I went to dinner for the end of the year teacher get-together. It's always informal, and most people drink too much. DH is a lightweight, and exactly 2.5 margaritas into the evening, he's smashed. That's ok, because that makes his new motto, "$14 to Plastered." He's a loud, amusing, obnoxious drunk. But it's ok. He asked me to never let him drink that much again. I'm inclined to agree. It's like having a 4 year old around. Anyway, he spent much of the time telling me that I'm a very nice wife, and how much he appreciates me, and how pretty I look. Whoopee. I look pretty to a drunk guy. I should hope so. Anyway, it wasn't such a bad night after all. Besides hours of entertainment (for free), I got a movie I wanted to see, a video game I'll actually play on that stupid XBox (early Fathers' Day gift--I am a nice wife), a chance to eat all of the baklava without interference, and a reasonably sized assorted box of Godiva chocolates. All in all, not a bad haul for one evening.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Two things...
First of all, I went to Barnes and Noble last night. On my way to the children's section to complete my mission, I passed the Parenting and Childcare section. I spotted the 'Wise series, all clumped together inconspicuously among other innocuous books, and a copy of "Games Toddlers Play" somehow wound up in front of them. Imagine that. One shelf over, was an entire bookcase with decorations and everything devoted to "Dr. Sears on Parenting" in large, friendly letters! I told the clerk who was helping me to let his superiors know that as a customer, I appreciated seeing Dr. Sears' work being so prominently featured. The clerk told me--get this, "It's actually a company requirement. We have to have a display for Dr. Sears in all of our stores." I was sooooo excited to hear that. Yay B&N!!!
Second, I spent some time last night reading articles on the Quiverfull website (http://www.quiverfull.com/). I think it's interesting, and I'm fascinated by people who have very large (10+ kids) families. There were some things that struck me when I followed some of the links. The big thing was that I saw a couple of places (on forums) where the moms would say something to the effect of 'I AP'ed my first and second, but by the time the rest of them came along, I couldn't keep them all in line without spanking.' I had to sleep on that one a little. I mean, I'm open to a big family if we can afford them. But if I have to raise them like that, I dunno. IME with some of these bigger families (who usually use the Pearls' book for child training methods), the kids are all really well behaved, but they have no personality--zero spark. Everything's yes ma'am, no ma'am, which I don't have a problem with per se, but I don't think a 'May I please have a reason or explanation for this command?' is unreasonable. Maybe it's because I was a "strong-willed child" myself.
I don't believe that spanking is something the God commands us to do. I don't believe that being a Christian parent requires me to hit my child(ren). I believe I can raise my child to be an intelligent, Christian (if he so chooses, which I hope he does), responsible member of society without having to hit him.
In conclusion, I'd rather have 4 kids gently raised than 10 kids I've had to spank.
Second, I spent some time last night reading articles on the Quiverfull website (http://www.quiverfull.com/). I think it's interesting, and I'm fascinated by people who have very large (10+ kids) families. There were some things that struck me when I followed some of the links. The big thing was that I saw a couple of places (on forums) where the moms would say something to the effect of 'I AP'ed my first and second, but by the time the rest of them came along, I couldn't keep them all in line without spanking.' I had to sleep on that one a little. I mean, I'm open to a big family if we can afford them. But if I have to raise them like that, I dunno. IME with some of these bigger families (who usually use the Pearls' book for child training methods), the kids are all really well behaved, but they have no personality--zero spark. Everything's yes ma'am, no ma'am, which I don't have a problem with per se, but I don't think a 'May I please have a reason or explanation for this command?' is unreasonable. Maybe it's because I was a "strong-willed child" myself.
I don't believe that spanking is something the God commands us to do. I don't believe that being a Christian parent requires me to hit my child(ren). I believe I can raise my child to be an intelligent, Christian (if he so chooses, which I hope he does), responsible member of society without having to hit him.
In conclusion, I'd rather have 4 kids gently raised than 10 kids I've had to spank.
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Musings...
I saw the Dr Pepper commercial with Patricia Manterola and Ana Gabriel again today. There's been something about that commercial that bugs me, and I've decided what it is. Ana Gabriel, the older artist, is wearing more clothing than her younger counterpart. I thought it showed the difference between the generations, even though Ms Gabriel is only about 10 years older than Ms Manterola. What stood out to me was the number of times the camera chose to focus on the latter's navel. I'm not a prude, but it seemed to me that it was kind of unnecessary. I'm having a hard time articulating what I mean, but I guess it can be summed up as, too bad the "younger" musicians feel that their music is not enough and that they have to become sex symbols, too. On the flip side, too bad the producers of the Dr Pepper commercials feel that Ms Gabriel is too old for a midriff shirt of her own. LOL
Sunday, May 23, 2004
My first entry
Well, I've done it. I've started a blog. Mostly it's just a place to get out my feelings, ramble endlessly, and let my thoughts be known. If nobody likes it, no big deal, but hopefully one or two people will.
Where to begin? Ok, I'm a Stay at Home Mom, which is somewhat of a misnomer, since I spend most of my day running errands. I have one child, a son (hereafter known as N) who was born at home last summer. My son is 10 months old, and the sweetest thing in the world, IMNSHO. I'm married to a teacher, who will be known as B in my little cast of characters. We've been married for about 2 and a half years, and they've been good ones for the most part. What people don't tell you when you get married is that no matter how much you truly like, respect, and love each other, you're inevitably going to get on each other's nerves at some point, and that's ok.
Anyway, I'm up at nearly two am, holding my sleepy but too-active-to-drift-off child on my lap while he plays with a flashlight that has a green bulb. It just occured to me that I've been nursing this child for 10 months. My earliest goal of one year is just two short months away. I have now been breastfeeding longer than anyone in B's family did, and longer than they thought I'd last. I wonder how they'll react a year from now when they find out he's still nursing. BIL was in town a couple of weeks ago, and asked how long I was going to keep it up. I explained that I'd like to meet the WHO's recommendation of at least two years, but that 1 year was my absolute minimum. BIL then proceeds to tell me that he's sure N will wean pretty quickly after he turns one. It made me laugh. This child is extremely attached to his 'milkies,'him wean quickly? I don't think so. This was only the second time BIL had seen N since his birth, and somehow, I don't find him to be an accurate judge of my child's character and habits.
I should probably give some more details about me. I'm extremely opinionated in matters of parenting, and I like things done my way. If you don't agree, fine, so be it, but be prepared. I'm one to say what's on my mind, although I'll try to be tactful about it. N is now 'singing' his I'm Tired song (blah-ba-blah-aaahhhhhh), and I'm tired, too, so I'm off to sleep.
Where to begin? Ok, I'm a Stay at Home Mom, which is somewhat of a misnomer, since I spend most of my day running errands. I have one child, a son (hereafter known as N) who was born at home last summer. My son is 10 months old, and the sweetest thing in the world, IMNSHO. I'm married to a teacher, who will be known as B in my little cast of characters. We've been married for about 2 and a half years, and they've been good ones for the most part. What people don't tell you when you get married is that no matter how much you truly like, respect, and love each other, you're inevitably going to get on each other's nerves at some point, and that's ok.
Anyway, I'm up at nearly two am, holding my sleepy but too-active-to-drift-off child on my lap while he plays with a flashlight that has a green bulb. It just occured to me that I've been nursing this child for 10 months. My earliest goal of one year is just two short months away. I have now been breastfeeding longer than anyone in B's family did, and longer than they thought I'd last. I wonder how they'll react a year from now when they find out he's still nursing. BIL was in town a couple of weeks ago, and asked how long I was going to keep it up. I explained that I'd like to meet the WHO's recommendation of at least two years, but that 1 year was my absolute minimum. BIL then proceeds to tell me that he's sure N will wean pretty quickly after he turns one. It made me laugh. This child is extremely attached to his 'milkies,'him wean quickly? I don't think so. This was only the second time BIL had seen N since his birth, and somehow, I don't find him to be an accurate judge of my child's character and habits.
I should probably give some more details about me. I'm extremely opinionated in matters of parenting, and I like things done my way. If you don't agree, fine, so be it, but be prepared. I'm one to say what's on my mind, although I'll try to be tactful about it. N is now 'singing' his I'm Tired song (blah-ba-blah-aaahhhhhh), and I'm tired, too, so I'm off to sleep.
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