Monday, February 19, 2007

Guiding Light

No, not the soap opera. Strangely, I never got into Soaps, despite being addicted to trashy romance novels and being home during the day. I refer to guiding light as the role I see parents should play in their childrens' lives.

The period we live in is one of extreme political correctness, particularly in Washington, D.C. Somehow, liberal and Democrat have become synonymous with an open mindeness and a wariness to promote any single lifestyle or morality over another. So loathe are we to offend anyone, we often don't even know what beliefs we do stand for anymore. There is no black and white, just one big melting pot of gray.

This liberalism has translated itself into parenting. I don't just mean parents who are unwilling to discipline their children for fear of hindering creative souls or being the bad-guy. I also see parents shying away from offering a moral compass or guiding light.

For example, when children are under the age of 5, and older, I strongly believe that parents have the right and the responsibility to monitor and control details of their lives. This pertains to television programs, movies, playdates, toys and activities. Do not assume, because your child sounds like a rational, articulate adult that they actually are. Just because they can give you a five paragraph essay on why they want to see the new Spiderman movie, does not mean they are ready for it. It is ok to say no.

Lessons Matt and I try to teach our children:
1. Religion is important, not just spiritual belief, but every day practice. We teach this by sending them to a Jewish school, keeping a kosher home and observing a Sabbath meal.

2. Taking responsibility for your actions is key. I tell them all the time that I am more angry if they lie about writing on the wall with crayon then them writing on the wall. The lesson is then followed through by handing him a Magic Eraser and making them attempt to clean their mess up.

3. We live in a Community. We are part of a lot of different communities- our family, our school, our neighborhood and our city. It is important to be a giving and active member of all communities.

4. A sense of humor. Life is wacky- have fun.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Oh Say can you Say

It is so fun living with a 2 and 4 year old. They keep me on my toes and make me laugh with the things they say. For example a list of funny conversations & comments today include:

Nate: "Does Grandpa keep kosher?"
Me: "No"
Nate: "Well crackers are kosher."
Me: "Yes"
Nate: "And Grandpa keeps crackers."

Jacob: "I'm not Jacob, I'm the Captain!"

Nate: "When Jacob gets sick & dies, can I take a bath alone."
Me: "God Forbid!" If you want a bath alone so badly, just ask.
Nate: "I mean when we're old."

Jacob: (Marching and stamping his feet) "I'm a Gallimimus!"

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Screw Up #87

I screwed up yesterday, but I truly blame the media. The weatherreporters were reporting news of a great storm coming in today. Filled with schadenfreude, they talked of ice, delay and general mayhem.

So sure were they of this storm, I went to the supermarket and sent Matt to Child's PLAY (the best toy store in DC) to stock up on some new games if we were going to be stuck indoors for 2 days.

Stupid me told Nate where Daddy had gone and what he had bought, so now there is no storm, and Nate is begging whining and pleading to see the new games. oy va voy, do I give in and let him play. WHY did I tell him anything. I can never keep my big mouth shut!

OK, Nate's turn to type:



NATE JAGUAR MATT SUPERMAN JACOB BOB

Monday, February 12, 2007

Poor baby

I am sure everyone here has heard the news about Anna Nicole Smith's death. The whole thing is so strange- first her son dies just a few days after she gives birth, then she dies. I am curious about the cause of death.

My guess is that the grief over her son's death combined with post-partum depression did her in. Though it is hard for me to imagine not fighting for your life when you have a new baby to take care of.

Now of course, the big question is who gets custody of the baby girl. Forgive me for cynicism, but I can almost see the dollar signs in the claimants eyes, not genuine concern for a baby with no mommy and fathers of dubious claims.

It is so frustrating to me, I almost want to jump in, divide the money between everyone wanting a stake, and just take the baby out of the mess and raise her away from the Meshuggah. I would think everyone would thank me, as no one seems to actually want to raise the baby, just her money.

If this travesty of parenting and family ties continues, I think we can reliably look forward to news stories 18 years hence about Anna Nicole's progeny getting into scrapes.