Thoughts in response to a facebook article;
I think as parents we all need to define success and then go for it. My husband and I have discussed what successfully raising our children means to us and we hope that they will be able to create and sustain meaningful, loving eternal relationships and faithfully overcome adversity. Having goals helps us not get distracted by all the other good things and go for the best!
Our oldest is a genius and could be in school full time with extended hours and tutors and lots of educational electronics and such. Letting him do what is easiest for him would not prepare him for the trials that are to come in his life. And they will come. So we choose to limit his screen time (he does play computer games and watch TV and is learning to write websites) so that he is forced to interact with his brothers (and us). And they fight and argue constantly but I have great hope that working through this will make him something better than a good employee or ceo. Something better than a nobel prize winner. A good husband and father who doesn't give up!
As I have studied parenting I often ask myself what is this person's view of parental success? Most worldly parenting experts figure their kid will smoke a little weed, sleep around a bit, and then enter Ivy league schools. Raising adults who are "fulfilled" is their goal. I want to raise someone who serves, who loves, and who consecrates. I have to be an intentional parent if I want that to happen. We set limits and verbally say all the time, people are more important than things. Its crazy how many people think I'm vegan, never cut my hair, and don't drive on Sundays just b/c I limit my kids electronics! Only slightly kidding here! Our fellow parents need support as they try to reach their parenting goals, not flack for setting limits that work for their family. We're parents. Setting limits is what we do. When I taught parenting classes we started with the question, "What are some words you would like for people to use when they describe your child(ren) when they are adults? I would suggest every couple do this. How would your child's spouse describe them? Their children? Their boss? Their co-workers? Their friends? Their parents? Their in-laws?
I happen to be married to someone who has turned out pretty near perfect and who everyone who knows him (from casual acquaintance on up) would describe in a very complimentary way. People want to be like him. I want to be like him and one of the reasons is because he has disciplined himself. He often goes against his natural inclination and chooses what helps him become who he wants to become. He is not about "being me" He is focused on becoming someone better and doing what is right. With this kind of development in mind many things (including electronics) can be used to reach our goals. Practicing a sport can help kids develop tenacity and determination. Winning and losing can help develop humility. Art can help develop perspective and appreciation and a work ethic (think a project that takes several days or weeks and eventual turns out amazing as opposed to something just hastily done that is less satisfying). Its all in the perspective we convey--Are they becoming a football player? Or are they becoming a mature person? Kids don't have to be anything. They are learning and growing and will learn more and grow more if we don't marry them to one thing. For some reason in this country it is all about what you will be which greatly frustrates me! My son could be (one of his past goals) a garbage truck driver and as long as he is kind and good I will be happy.
In summary:
Figure out what kind of person you hope your kids become (Loyal, trustworthy, honest, full of gratitude, etc.)
Set limits and explore with them to help them get there. You'll be surprised how God develops you along the way!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Understanding Santa
We don't do Santa.
We aren't anti-Santa. He's cute really but we haven't taught out kids to believe in him. Don't worry, around this time of year we break out our copy of the Night Before Christmas. We talk about Santa. We just haven't taught them to believe in him. After 4 1/2 years of having children and lots of stares and gasps of horror (and sad to say a few lost friends) I have decided its time to take a different approach.
We are not teaching our kids to believe in Santa.
We are teaching our kids to understand Santa.
This year I will be teaching my children that WE are Santa. Each Sunday and whenever we can when we run errands we will bring a small wrapped gift (nail polish, an ornament, a candy cane, a dollar, a small toy). They will carry it around with them and pretend that they are Santa until they see someone who is sad or alone or in need and then give it away and say, Merry Christmas.
Saint Nicholas was a kind man who gave what little he had to those who had little hope or faith at Christmastime. We will do the same.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
For those interested, here is why we personally aren't believing in Santa (We don't think others shouldn't, that's not our business.) :
How can we teach our children to focus on a tiny baby born in poverty across the ocean two thousand years ago who will bring them inner peace and quiet joy? (I think this is a hard enough to believe story itself without throwing in eight flying reindeer and a man who slides down chimneys!) How can we help them be selfless as Christ was? How can we help them know that God sees us when we are sleeping and knows when we are awake? He knows when our heart hurts and when our soul needs relief.
Probably not by having them make a list of what they want other people to give them.
Probably not by telling them if they are not good they won't get what they asked for. And then rewarding them regardless of their behavior. We have decided to tell our children that they get gifts at Christmas because we love them and that is why they give us gifts in return because they love us. The gift of the Christ child was to the World not to those who earned it. God so loved the World... (see John 3:16-17 esp. 17)
P.S. Fyi We have talked to our kids about the fact that many people believe in Santa. We told them that it is rude and unkind to tell someone that what they believe in is not true. They have also learned this about people of other faiths. They won't be breaking it to your kids. So don't worry I'm sure it was some jaded kid at school not them : )
We aren't anti-Santa. He's cute really but we haven't taught out kids to believe in him. Don't worry, around this time of year we break out our copy of the Night Before Christmas. We talk about Santa. We just haven't taught them to believe in him. After 4 1/2 years of having children and lots of stares and gasps of horror (and sad to say a few lost friends) I have decided its time to take a different approach.
We are not teaching our kids to believe in Santa.
We are teaching our kids to understand Santa.
This year I will be teaching my children that WE are Santa. Each Sunday and whenever we can when we run errands we will bring a small wrapped gift (nail polish, an ornament, a candy cane, a dollar, a small toy). They will carry it around with them and pretend that they are Santa until they see someone who is sad or alone or in need and then give it away and say, Merry Christmas.
Saint Nicholas was a kind man who gave what little he had to those who had little hope or faith at Christmastime. We will do the same.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
For those interested, here is why we personally aren't believing in Santa (We don't think others shouldn't, that's not our business.) :
How can we teach our children to focus on a tiny baby born in poverty across the ocean two thousand years ago who will bring them inner peace and quiet joy? (I think this is a hard enough to believe story itself without throwing in eight flying reindeer and a man who slides down chimneys!) How can we help them be selfless as Christ was? How can we help them know that God sees us when we are sleeping and knows when we are awake? He knows when our heart hurts and when our soul needs relief.
Probably not by having them make a list of what they want other people to give them.
Probably not by telling them if they are not good they won't get what they asked for. And then rewarding them regardless of their behavior. We have decided to tell our children that they get gifts at Christmas because we love them and that is why they give us gifts in return because they love us. The gift of the Christ child was to the World not to those who earned it. God so loved the World... (see John 3:16-17 esp. 17)
P.S. Fyi We have talked to our kids about the fact that many people believe in Santa. We told them that it is rude and unkind to tell someone that what they believe in is not true. They have also learned this about people of other faiths. They won't be breaking it to your kids. So don't worry I'm sure it was some jaded kid at school not them : )
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
LRCA Committee Meeting
Wrote this to the guy working on our story minus the P.S. : )
Knowing what I know now if I had the chance (believe me this experience has totally changed me, I had no idea the power of ignorance) I would ask the state of Arkansas, What do you know about Mormons? Go ahead think of it. Make a list in your mind. Now, How do you know these things? We were told we are so incompatible that we could not even exist on the same campus. When we asked which of our teachings. We were told the "vast" differences between the Bible and the Book of Mormon were a major problem. We asked for a list of the differences. Bottom line. No one in that room had read even one line of the Book of Mormon let alone the whole book. They were going on the word of others who had also probably never read it. Now we don't expect others to read the Book of Mormon, but if you want to know about a movie do you ask someone who has seen it or someone who hasn't? They either need to read the book or take the word of those who have over those who haven't. What do I have to gain by miss representing my religion to them? If a Jehovah's Witness or a orthodox Jew or a Bible churcher tells us what their church believes and represents we just accept it and assume that what they are telling us is accurate. When a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints tells someone about the church people generally are suspicious. They think that can't be true that isn't weird enough. We invited them to read the Book of Mormon or visit one of the five LDS congregations in the area or visit mormon.org the churches official site to form their policies so that their policies aren't based on here say.
As I told you I feel like we were sent to meet with a group that would let us feel like we had been heard but not do much else. Since they also were very closed to the idea of others attended the meeting even just to view the proceedings we were obviously to be heard in a very controlled way. Their anger at us involving the media was voiced and we said in as kind a fashion as we could that their desire to keep this a private issue was one that we could only see benefiting their position not ours. They expressed again that if they were to have a dozen or so of their parents come out in support of Mormonism that it would not be important. They suggested that we should quietly find someplace else for Sam. I pointed out (as mentioned in a previous email to you) that because of the condition of the LRSD and the available programs and financial aid this was the only program. Tangent: Feels kind of like separate but equal. I know this is a private institution, but when they suggest that while only the best is good enough for their children (believe me these are people who would swim the Nile to avoid public schooling) and suggest that you can find other more appropriate schooling in an area where almost 100% of the schools are failing the NCLB initiative it is telling. At the time if Brown vs. the Board of Education white schools had excellent materials and trained teachers, black schools had second hand books that were falling apart and teachers who had little training. Do you see the parallel? Obviously I don't expect you to include it, just saying.
Anyway...
In closing, I fully understand why we are excluded. These churches fought to the point of massacres, excommunications, and church sanctioned executions 1500 years ago. Its what made the Nicene council necessary (which was not peaceful or pretty) , its what prompted the Pilgrims, its what created the 95 theses of Martin Luther. This is just another page in the history of Christianity. The church was established in April 1830. Hopefully it won't take another thousand years before people actually look at the doctrine and accept it not as true but as just another branch of Christianity. After this experience however I won't be holding my breath!
Jessi Duncan
P.S. After a forty five minute meeting we were told that they were hearing what we were saying and they could understand what we were saying but their job wasn't to write policy, just to enforce it. So why were we invited to this meeting instead of the one with who ever has the power to change the policy? Sigh, I think they are hoping that we will feel adequately heard and sit down somewhere and be quiet. On the flip side we were photographed by the paper today and it should be coming out soon. The photographer said possibly on Sunday's front page! Please continue praying that this story will come out correctly.
Knowing what I know now if I had the chance (believe me this experience has totally changed me, I had no idea the power of ignorance) I would ask the state of Arkansas, What do you know about Mormons? Go ahead think of it. Make a list in your mind. Now, How do you know these things? We were told we are so incompatible that we could not even exist on the same campus. When we asked which of our teachings. We were told the "vast" differences between the Bible and the Book of Mormon were a major problem. We asked for a list of the differences. Bottom line. No one in that room had read even one line of the Book of Mormon let alone the whole book. They were going on the word of others who had also probably never read it. Now we don't expect others to read the Book of Mormon, but if you want to know about a movie do you ask someone who has seen it or someone who hasn't? They either need to read the book or take the word of those who have over those who haven't. What do I have to gain by miss representing my religion to them? If a Jehovah's Witness or a orthodox Jew or a Bible churcher tells us what their church believes and represents we just accept it and assume that what they are telling us is accurate. When a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints tells someone about the church people generally are suspicious. They think that can't be true that isn't weird enough. We invited them to read the Book of Mormon or visit one of the five LDS congregations in the area or visit mormon.org the churches official site to form their policies so that their policies aren't based on here say.
As I told you I feel like we were sent to meet with a group that would let us feel like we had been heard but not do much else. Since they also were very closed to the idea of others attended the meeting even just to view the proceedings we were obviously to be heard in a very controlled way. Their anger at us involving the media was voiced and we said in as kind a fashion as we could that their desire to keep this a private issue was one that we could only see benefiting their position not ours. They expressed again that if they were to have a dozen or so of their parents come out in support of Mormonism that it would not be important. They suggested that we should quietly find someplace else for Sam. I pointed out (as mentioned in a previous email to you) that because of the condition of the LRSD and the available programs and financial aid this was the only program. Tangent: Feels kind of like separate but equal. I know this is a private institution, but when they suggest that while only the best is good enough for their children (believe me these are people who would swim the Nile to avoid public schooling) and suggest that you can find other more appropriate schooling in an area where almost 100% of the schools are failing the NCLB initiative it is telling. At the time if Brown vs. the Board of Education white schools had excellent materials and trained teachers, black schools had second hand books that were falling apart and teachers who had little training. Do you see the parallel? Obviously I don't expect you to include it, just saying.
Anyway...
In closing, I fully understand why we are excluded. These churches fought to the point of massacres, excommunications, and church sanctioned executions 1500 years ago. Its what made the Nicene council necessary (which was not peaceful or pretty) , its what prompted the Pilgrims, its what created the 95 theses of Martin Luther. This is just another page in the history of Christianity. The church was established in April 1830. Hopefully it won't take another thousand years before people actually look at the doctrine and accept it not as true but as just another branch of Christianity. After this experience however I won't be holding my breath!
Jessi Duncan
P.S. After a forty five minute meeting we were told that they were hearing what we were saying and they could understand what we were saying but their job wasn't to write policy, just to enforce it. So why were we invited to this meeting instead of the one with who ever has the power to change the policy? Sigh, I think they are hoping that we will feel adequately heard and sit down somewhere and be quiet. On the flip side we were photographed by the paper today and it should be coming out soon. The photographer said possibly on Sunday's front page! Please continue praying that this story will come out correctly.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Potty Training 101
A number of people have asked me recently for potty training tips. For those of you who don't know I worked for eight years in early childhood education before having my first child. So here's what I know:
1. Ignore all those people who say your child has to be forty and emotionally secure or he might be scarred for life if you try before he is ready. The only person who will be scarred after potty training is you and possibly your furniture and carpet. Potty training is way more about where you are than where your child is. My recommended age is between 2 1/2 and 3 (as the starting point). Earlier is harder, later is harder, though depending on the child I've heard earlier can work but I have little personal experience there. Once your child is older he/she has discovered what a good deal they've got going and may resist potty training because they prefer having you do the dirty work. Are you at a time or position in life where you are ready to take the next step towards Christlike patience and charity? Or are you currently blowing up at every little thing? Consider this before you embark on the potty training journey! Kids are kids and potty training is no joke. It requires consistent compassion (otherwise known as steel nerves).
2. For children potty training is all about independence. I can not tell you how many parents are still carrying around their large child and wondering why he/she will not potty! Start asking your child to do things for himself such as take his plate to the sink, dress himself, wash his hands, wipe his nose, clean up toys, strap himself in the carseat, etc. Teach him how to do these things. Show him how instead of doing it for him. Your child should be able to get from naked to fully dressed including a simple jacket and slip on or velcro shoes after a few days (two weeks tops) of help. Realize that this means he will also be able to go from fully dressed to naked, but that is okay. That's just a part of being three. Some children enjoy having personal slaves, I mean parents. If your child is one of these invite him to do independence building activities like spreading jam/butter on bread with a butter knife for each family member(give him a dollop then move the jar: ), washing fruits or vegetables, turning off the TV, sweeping, picking clothes out for a younger sibling and himself, opening the van door, etc. In other words fun chores. Start incorporating less fun but necessary chores after a few days when he has gotten used to you asking him to do things.
to be continued....
1. Ignore all those people who say your child has to be forty and emotionally secure or he might be scarred for life if you try before he is ready. The only person who will be scarred after potty training is you and possibly your furniture and carpet. Potty training is way more about where you are than where your child is. My recommended age is between 2 1/2 and 3 (as the starting point). Earlier is harder, later is harder, though depending on the child I've heard earlier can work but I have little personal experience there. Once your child is older he/she has discovered what a good deal they've got going and may resist potty training because they prefer having you do the dirty work. Are you at a time or position in life where you are ready to take the next step towards Christlike patience and charity? Or are you currently blowing up at every little thing? Consider this before you embark on the potty training journey! Kids are kids and potty training is no joke. It requires consistent compassion (otherwise known as steel nerves).
2. For children potty training is all about independence. I can not tell you how many parents are still carrying around their large child and wondering why he/she will not potty! Start asking your child to do things for himself such as take his plate to the sink, dress himself, wash his hands, wipe his nose, clean up toys, strap himself in the carseat, etc. Teach him how to do these things. Show him how instead of doing it for him. Your child should be able to get from naked to fully dressed including a simple jacket and slip on or velcro shoes after a few days (two weeks tops) of help. Realize that this means he will also be able to go from fully dressed to naked, but that is okay. That's just a part of being three. Some children enjoy having personal slaves, I mean parents. If your child is one of these invite him to do independence building activities like spreading jam/butter on bread with a butter knife for each family member(give him a dollop then move the jar: ), washing fruits or vegetables, turning off the TV, sweeping, picking clothes out for a younger sibling and himself, opening the van door, etc. In other words fun chores. Start incorporating less fun but necessary chores after a few days when he has gotten used to you asking him to do things.
to be continued....
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Ward Playgroup
“An Ever-Expanding Circle of Sisters”
LITTLE ROCK WARD
ALL AGES PLAYGROUP
Place: Little Rock Building, Gym
Time: 10 a.m. – Noon
When: Every second Friday (starting Nov. 11th)
Who: Everyone, whether you are married or
single, have small children or not, old or young
Please bring your laundry to fold or weekly
menu to write or Christmas cards to address or
whatever. We all have work to do. Once a
month let’s work and play together!
Moses 7:18, Daughters in my Kingdom “influencing and Strengthening
Sisters in Wards and Branches” p.96 and “Strengthening Sisterhood
through Expressions of Charity” p.99-101
Questions? Call Jessi Duncan
LITTLE ROCK WARD
ALL AGES PLAYGROUP
Place: Little Rock Building, Gym
Time: 10 a.m. – Noon
When: Every second Friday (starting Nov. 11th)
Who: Everyone, whether you are married or
single, have small children or not, old or young
Please bring your laundry to fold or weekly
menu to write or Christmas cards to address or
whatever. We all have work to do. Once a
month let’s work and play together!
Moses 7:18, Daughters in my Kingdom “influencing and Strengthening
Sisters in Wards and Branches” p.96 and “Strengthening Sisterhood
through Expressions of Charity” p.99-101
Questions? Call Jessi Duncan
Friday, April 22, 2011
10:00am We leave our house, half an hour after planned time of departure. Don't ask.
10:04 We arrive at Kroger's on Beechwood
Purchase: Plastic eggs, candy ( I manage to talk him
out of Skittles and into Twix and Milky
Ways, yeah better leftovers for me), bread,
mayo, juice
10:27 Load up groceries and boys... well one boy. Child one has complete meltdown in parking lot screaming that he does not want to go to the Easter Egg hunt. What Easter Egg hunt? The one he has been asking about all week. The one that he asked if we could go to on Tuesday. The one he has been talking about all week. Every since I announced to him (on Monday) that we were going to an Easter party (on Friday) he has asked at every parking spot that we have pulled into all week long, "Are we here? Is this the party?" That Easter Egg hunt. Child two looks on with interest.
10:28 Tantrum is momentarily suspended while my child waves back to a kindly elderly gentleman eating lunch at a patio table outside of Kroger's who is waving at him.
10:28:15 Tantrum continues in the car
10:29 I threaten my child with things no mother who is ever talked about in General Conference by her now General Authority child would ever think of let alone say. My child is now begging to go to the hunt instead of...ummm whatever I threatened instead.
10: 33 My child begins to writhe in the carseat. I ask him (through clenched teeth) what is wrong. His response-- I need to go potty!
10:35 We stop at Kroger's on Cantrell. I unload both kids and carrying one and dragging the other we race into the bathroom. Two year old comes out of the stall (he needs his private time, luckily he's pretty good at handling it by himself) laughing. I say, "What happened?" He says, "That funny potty splashed my face!" Yeah, no comment.
10:40 Back in the car and on the road again. The kids are arguing. Yes, my two year old and my just turned one year old can and do argue. My two year keeps telling me mean things that his baby brother (babbling happily in the backseat) is saying. Then the hitting starts.
10:49 I realize we are not going to make it without gas so we stop...at the Kroger's on Highway 10. I put in two gallons (we are already almost twenty minutes late) and we pull out.
10:53 On the road again (and again and again). More writhing in the backseat, "I need to go potty!"
We are now less than five miles from our destination. I tell him he has to wait until we get to the park so that I can have one of our friends hold the baby while I take him to the potty.
11:00 We finally arrive at the park. 4 school buses are parallel parked near the entrance and about 73,000 kids (give or take 5 or 6) aged 3-14 are swarming the playgrounds, bathrooms, and pavilions. My son takes one look and says, "I guess I don't need to go potty." I love that kid.
11:02ish I start to get worried, no sign of our group and we are half an hour late. I don't have a phone.
We drive around peering at groups of children.
11:10 We spot a familiar van also driving around looking like kidnappers peering at children. We hookup with friends who have a phone and soon join the Easter Egg hunt fun at a new location because of the overcrowded-ness of the original location. Our only problem now? He doesn't want me to hide his eggs.
12:30 Headed home with muddy, chocolate covered, sweaty, sleepy kids
Thanks for planning it Lisa! A fun time was had by all! But next year maybe we should consider renting a bus : ) If you'll just come by and pick up all of our kids...
10:04 We arrive at Kroger's on Beechwood
Purchase: Plastic eggs, candy ( I manage to talk him
out of Skittles and into Twix and Milky
Ways, yeah better leftovers for me), bread,
mayo, juice
10:27 Load up groceries and boys... well one boy. Child one has complete meltdown in parking lot screaming that he does not want to go to the Easter Egg hunt. What Easter Egg hunt? The one he has been asking about all week. The one that he asked if we could go to on Tuesday. The one he has been talking about all week. Every since I announced to him (on Monday) that we were going to an Easter party (on Friday) he has asked at every parking spot that we have pulled into all week long, "Are we here? Is this the party?" That Easter Egg hunt. Child two looks on with interest.
10:28 Tantrum is momentarily suspended while my child waves back to a kindly elderly gentleman eating lunch at a patio table outside of Kroger's who is waving at him.
10:28:15 Tantrum continues in the car
10:29 I threaten my child with things no mother who is ever talked about in General Conference by her now General Authority child would ever think of let alone say. My child is now begging to go to the hunt instead of...ummm whatever I threatened instead.
10: 33 My child begins to writhe in the carseat. I ask him (through clenched teeth) what is wrong. His response-- I need to go potty!
10:35 We stop at Kroger's on Cantrell. I unload both kids and carrying one and dragging the other we race into the bathroom. Two year old comes out of the stall (he needs his private time, luckily he's pretty good at handling it by himself) laughing. I say, "What happened?" He says, "That funny potty splashed my face!" Yeah, no comment.
10:40 Back in the car and on the road again. The kids are arguing. Yes, my two year old and my just turned one year old can and do argue. My two year keeps telling me mean things that his baby brother (babbling happily in the backseat) is saying. Then the hitting starts.
10:49 I realize we are not going to make it without gas so we stop...at the Kroger's on Highway 10. I put in two gallons (we are already almost twenty minutes late) and we pull out.
10:53 On the road again (and again and again). More writhing in the backseat, "I need to go potty!"
We are now less than five miles from our destination. I tell him he has to wait until we get to the park so that I can have one of our friends hold the baby while I take him to the potty.
11:00 We finally arrive at the park. 4 school buses are parallel parked near the entrance and about 73,000 kids (give or take 5 or 6) aged 3-14 are swarming the playgrounds, bathrooms, and pavilions. My son takes one look and says, "I guess I don't need to go potty." I love that kid.
11:02ish I start to get worried, no sign of our group and we are half an hour late. I don't have a phone.
We drive around peering at groups of children.
11:10 We spot a familiar van also driving around looking like kidnappers peering at children. We hookup with friends who have a phone and soon join the Easter Egg hunt fun at a new location because of the overcrowded-ness of the original location. Our only problem now? He doesn't want me to hide his eggs.
12:30 Headed home with muddy, chocolate covered, sweaty, sleepy kids
Thanks for planning it Lisa! A fun time was had by all! But next year maybe we should consider renting a bus : ) If you'll just come by and pick up all of our kids...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
party like a what, what?
Hi. I'd like to establish (or solidify) my nerdy-ness once and for all. I don't like the current "Rockstar" craze. Unfortunately, its hard to find even binkies (I'm not kidding on this one people) that aren't trying to be cool these days! As President Faust said, "There is a certain irony in the fact that some parents are so anxious for their children to be accepted by and be popular with their peers; yet these same parents fear that their children may be doing the things their peers are doing." Why, tell me why, would I want my 2 year old to EVER "Party like a RockStar"? No, its not just because he's two. I don't want him to when he's twenty two or forty two (please note the use of the word EVER). Not only do I not want him to ever party like a rockstar, I also don't ever want him to BE a rock star. Think about the kids you knew in high school who were the closest to becoming real rockers in adulthood...go ahead...I really want you to actually picture them in your mind...now think of the ones who never actually grew out of it...Is that what you want your kids to live like when they're forty. And then there are the actual World famous Rock icons and legends of Guitar Hero. While I will say some rockstars are incredibly talented people (I'd say about 50 percent), most if not all are also incredibly disturbed people. I can't think of any that aren't. Let me know if you do. I mean "Future Rockstar" toddler shirts? Yes, my greatest hope is that one day my child will discover great musical talent, stop showering, sleep around, do drugs, drink heavily, get tatoo-ed and pierced, play in front of sold out crowds screaming his name and then eventually die from a drug overdose or sexually transmitted disease.
Now don't get me wrong, I like to play Rockband and Guitar Hero with my brother and sister in law. I'm actually pretty good. But may I be so absurd as to suggest that maybe this is an adult game? Maybe kids shouldn't be singing along word for word lyrics about being high and having sex. For older kids it might be a good time to point out how sad the lyrics are and how deeply troubled the minds and/or hearts are of the people they represent. Producing a beautiful piece of art does not change who they are and it does not make their lifestyle into one that they can enjoy. Many things combine to make their lives look much better than they really are while moms scrub toilets and wipe noses, but in reality many of the rich and famous are very sad and lonely people just looking for joy in all the wrong places. So I'd like to say to my kid and children everywhere, loudly even--"NO! DO NOT 'Party like a RockStar!' They are partying to forget. I want you to live a life whose memories bring you comfort and joy and peace not one whose falsehoods you need to drink or inject away." That's it I am going out to start a line of clothes and binkies and gear all emblazoned with the creed, "Party like a Mormon!"
Now don't get me wrong, I like to play Rockband and Guitar Hero with my brother and sister in law. I'm actually pretty good. But may I be so absurd as to suggest that maybe this is an adult game? Maybe kids shouldn't be singing along word for word lyrics about being high and having sex. For older kids it might be a good time to point out how sad the lyrics are and how deeply troubled the minds and/or hearts are of the people they represent. Producing a beautiful piece of art does not change who they are and it does not make their lifestyle into one that they can enjoy. Many things combine to make their lives look much better than they really are while moms scrub toilets and wipe noses, but in reality many of the rich and famous are very sad and lonely people just looking for joy in all the wrong places. So I'd like to say to my kid and children everywhere, loudly even--"NO! DO NOT 'Party like a RockStar!' They are partying to forget. I want you to live a life whose memories bring you comfort and joy and peace not one whose falsehoods you need to drink or inject away." That's it I am going out to start a line of clothes and binkies and gear all emblazoned with the creed, "Party like a Mormon!"
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