Brats in toyland

I just read a disturbing article about parents writing letters to toy manufactures about their toy advertisements. They state it encourages their children to ask (whine) for that particular toy which in most instances is expensive. They say in these pitiful economic times it is unfair to saturate the air waves and other media with toy options for their children. They state they cannot afford these toys but their children WANT them.
HELLO!!!!
Who is the parent-the decision maker here? Have you ever heard, - 'just say no?' Your child will survive without that electronic techno gadget.
I wanted many things while I was growing up in a family with 5 children. Did I ever ask - whine - or demand stuff? NO!
I accepted what I received and was glad for even the smallest of items. Yes, other kids had neat stuff and I felt left out but nothing bad happened to me - except for being a blogger. My Christmas stocking was filled with socks and underwear.
My children have wanted things but they did not always get what they wanted. How about a little more quality time with the kiddies - that is priceless.
I never promised you a rose garden - but I can let you smell and touch the real thing.
Stop blaming toy manufactures for poor parenting skills. Stand up and take the credit for what your children are. They don't need everything they see advertised.

Madonna Divorce

I've just read about the devastating news - Madonna and Guy Richie opting out for a divorce. This is the second go-round about this tragedy. This dilemma doesn't touch me nor do I care about their status or soon to be non-status. I worry about higher prices, paying a mortgage and keeping my job. Surely blogging pays no bills but it is rewarding.
My distress over this soon to be non-functioning - dysfunctional family is the children. And what about little David the adopted child? He now gets to live in a splintered household. The dynamics of the relationship with only one child being Guy's kin - how and where are his priorities dispersed?
To me this is not shattering news of the day - month -year but just a trickle of stagnant water littering the landscape. So much attention will be directed to these 'celebs' and life will go on. The next 'celeb' news will soon overshadow this blockbuster.
Divorce is not always pretty and nice and it leaves broken bodies in its wake - usually the innocent children.

Palin - Biden Debate

I watched the debate because I listened to all the media hype on Sarah Palin. They said she was so inexperienced that she was going to fall flat on her face. Well - media - wrong again. Sure does sells newspapers.
The debate was almost unforgettable. No history lessons here. Or is there?
My annoyance with the debate came at the end. All the families came up on stage for a photo op and disperse well wishes to their loved ones. And there for the whole world to see was one of Sarah Palin's children holding the baby. One of her kids is almost always holding that baby. I did see mom step off a plane with the tot in her arms - one time. My first complaint is why is it her children's job to cart around that baby? Plus the fact it was 10 pm at night that little one should be in bed fast asleep.
What really gets under my skin - IS - I have never once seen dad holding that baby. WHY? Is it not a manly thing to do in Alaska? Where is his responsibility to that baby. He's an adult. He should be holding that baby not the kids. The kids should be doing kid stuff.
So Mr. Sarah Palin do your duty and hold that baby.

Caylee Anthony

Sometimes you just get this bad feeling - that things ain't right. A little girl goes missing and mom tells no one? Is this a normal reaction? When my children were toddlers if they were mia for a few minutes I was in a tizzy - a total panic.
What's going on with Caylee's mom? She dabs at her minuscule tears in court with very little emotion. She refuses to say anything? That bad feeling seems to be like an evil mist around the entire situation.
What about grandma? If my daughter and my grandchild lived with me and then my grandchild disappeared for weeks wouldn't a light bulb go off? Where did mom get this money to be free for 5 weeks? Why were questions not asked? Perhaps they were? Family dynamics is a strange creature.
I don't mean to be negative or blame or point my finger at people - but hey - what's really going on? Where is Caylee? I would like to smack mom and grandma right up side the head. That's not the legal way. The bad feeling overshadows everything in this case. Sadness - a little girl lost. Where is Caylee?

Lost in Transition

The head count at my house in wayward teenage boys has risen to 3 permanent and several part timers. I can't even discuss my utility and grocery bills. It's not the money so much as the emotional upheaval and unresolved conflicts. The television program the Lost comes no where near the lives these teens are experiencing.

I have made several calls for some (any) type of intervention for these poor lost souls. Guess WHAT? There is none - nada. The response was - "Wait till they are 18 and get into trouble and then they will be treated as adults."

WHY?????

If I was in charge I would intervene NOW and try to help. We toss these kids away as if they were dirty dishwater. We turn our back on them, slam the door and say fend for yourself. They can't. They're immature, irresponsible and still very much kids. Kids that need guidance, love, respect and a safe place to live.

Why do we do this? What does their future hold for them?

Do any of the candidates talk about this problem? No. It seems like it is of little importance to society. If Hilary stated it takes a village to raise a child - where is that village? Send me the road map - I will surely go there.