Friday, January 28, 2011

Society can suck it

I  blogged about this over a year ago here so obviously this is something that I just can't let go of!

I'm going to preface this by saying that I wouldn't change one single thing about my childhood.  I grew up in a divorced family, mom worked her ass off to provide for us, my brother and I fought and loved and fought, we played sports, ate dinner as a threesome everynight, my brother and I had many of the same friends.  Life was great and not stressful and was full of good people.  Mom was always at every game, swim meet, and sometimes even sat in on our practices, but when we were just at home, we kept ourselves busy.  We didn't expect her to play with us all day.  We didn't go to McDonald's on a Tuesday night just 'cause, there was no such thing as a bounce house place, and we didn't have 200 channels from which to choose.  Oh, and we ate what we were served, not what we asked for.

I am a stong mother.  I refuse to have bratty kids and I do what I can to prevent that.  I expect a lot from my kids, even though they are young.  I think society SUCKS because it has put upon us, the new young mothers, that we are to indulge our children in what I think is a really unhealthy way.  Birthday parties are ridiculously expensive and elaborate AND the guests walk away with presents!  What the hell is that about?  The advertising on television is intense and has a hold of little 4 year old William by the throat.  It's clear what all of this indulgence has done to nearly a whole generation of kids.  It's turning (turned?) them into bratty, self-indulgent selfish little people who don't respect the things they own or authority.  I have to say that although I am strong and am opposed to many of the things available to kids today, I struggle with a lot of it.  Just because I can afford to do things with them doesn't mean we always should.  They expect things sometimes and it pisses me off because I know it's my doing.  Keeping the balance is, well, a balancing act.

I wish people would just do what's right and not what they think should be done, what society tells us we should be doing.  I don't worry about what people will think when they walk away from one of our birthday parties without a goodie bag because even though I love your child, you know what?  I just spent $400 on a bounce house, food, and drinks.  I also spent hours in the kitchen making kick ass homemade cupcakes and frosting.  That was your gift.  And when we invited you, we wanted you to come celebrate a special day with us.  I don't think a reward needs to be given for that.  

I don't know.  Some may think it bitchy and my kids may feel like they don't have it as well as others have it but that's alright.  I'll keep on keeping the balance.  I'll try, at least.





Don't stop voting please!  One click = one vote.
Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

5 comments:

  1. I'm glad you don't want to be just another statistic! It makes me proud to call you my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm totally there with you. "Keeping the balance is, well, a balancing act." We do our best to teach and model but society just doesn't make it any easier. And I doubt that your kids will ever think that "they don't have it as well as others". They are more than blessed to have you and Chris as their parents and each other as siblings. Unfortunately, not enough kids have that.

    I was also raised by my single mom for over 12 years of my life, and all I have to say is, "She rocked!" I'm sure just like your mom :). We grew up without much "stuff", but the love she had and sacrifice she made were way more than we could ever ask for. She didn't have to tell us...we just knew.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

signature

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...