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Posts tagged children
Loose animals
Apr 20th
Yesterday I took Kira to Sea Life at the mall. I pre-paid for our tickets to save a few bucks, but It was still $28.53 for the two of us – pretty pricey in my book.
Unfortunately we arrived at the same time as a large elementary school group. I’ve been the chaperone Mom on many of these types of trips and I know, barring a few real troublemakers, that kids that age CAN behave fairly well if taught and expected to do so. In fact, teachers always seemed to stick me with the worst of the troublemakers because I could get them to behave. There were plenty of adults with these kids from Florence and yet they were the worst bunch of kids I’ve ever come across.
Most – not all – were pushing, shoving smaller children, running, screaming, pounding on the glass tanks, climbing on the exhibits, yanking on the teaching stations… generally acting like loose animals. I saw ONE adult trying to maintain some sense of order with the 5-6 kids apparently under his control. The rest of the adults pretty much stood around smiling and taking pictures using their flash – and it’s posted EVERYWHERE not to use flash photography because it disturbs the real animals.
We tried hiding in a (useless) little theater looping a SpongeBob Squarepants short about a pickle. Kids would run in and jump up and down on the seats and holler and climb over and then run out, only for another bunch of kids to run in and repeat. I kept slipping up and speaking out to these kids – NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY – but it was that bad.
What the fuck people? If kids from my school would have acted like this in public we would have immediately stopped the trip and sent them all back to the bus until they could show some control. It didn’t matter whether the child was male or female, black/white/hispanic/polka-dot, or alone or in sets, almost every kid in that group (easily identified in uniforms) was a wild freaking animal. It’s like the adults fed them sugar on the trip up from Florence and instructed them to treat the aquarium place like their playground. If I knew which school, I’d send them an email. Maybe I’ll look and see how many elementary schools there are in Florence. Can’t be that many.
We barely made it halfway and had skipped a few exhibits when Kira wanted to leave. It was just too overwhelming for her (and me) so we ducked out and went back a little later. Though it was much more enjoyable once the hoard had left, I was already worn out. And at that price, we’ll likely never go back. Oh well.
Kids TV and Families
Dec 8th
I watch a lot of childrens TV with Kira. There’s not much else to do at Grammi’s house. Actually, she does a lot of stuff, coloring and cutting paper and playing with puzzles or play-doh but the TV’s always on something for her. Sometimes it’s movies (like right this minute we’re watching Ella Enchanted) but usually Nick Jr.
I’ve noticed some weird family issues on some programs.
- Kai-Lan is always outside with her friends and parents are never shown. She visits her grandfather, but no other adult figure is around.
- Dora has a family (both parents, twin younger siblings and her grandmother) yet she’s allowed encouraged to roam the countryside in sometimes dangerous situations alone… with a monkey.
- Diego seems to be part of an animal preservationist family along with his slightly older sister and both parents, and yet he wanders the countryside alone rescuing animals and getting into dangerous situations.
- The Backyardigans are actively shown to be pretending in their own backyards. Parents are in the house making snacks for when they’re done.
- Miss Spider (but she’s married so shouldn’t that be Mrs.?) has adopted a few orphan bug-children and it’s talked about quite freely.
- Little Bear, Little Bill, Olivia and Franklin are all about families.
- As far as I can tell, Max and Ruby – both children – live alone and Grandma lives nearby and visits.
Most are good shows, teaching problem solving and courtesy, using your imagination and stuff. But that Max and Ruby thing bugs me. I know they’re based on the books and I haven’t read them all to know if parental figures ever show up. Should all kids TV programs show some sort of adult supervision?
Dora scares me. It’s encouraging children to wander off and get into adventures. How is that a good thing?
And now she’s dancing to Ella singing Somebody to Love. It’s adorable.
Yay for choice!
May 6th
I have a new friend who is a proud DINK (dual-income, no kids). I say yay for her. She’s not young but not old. 30s maybe? Congratulations for getting to solid adulthood and not succumbing to the pressure to have kids.
My daughter swears she doesn’t want children. I have no problem with that. I’ve seen her around children and she’s not… real patient with them. She’d (so far) make a pretty bad parent. She’s slightly amused but easily annoyed by Kira and keeps her at arms length. Oh, she loves her but can’t wait until Kira’s older. I plan on supporting her decision to remain childless.
I have a another young friend. I’ve known her (online) since she was a teenager and knew she didn’t want children. She about bit my head off when I once mentioned that in my experience women often change their minds later in life depending on partner choice, professional success or family pressure. She’s still holding firm:
A metric SHIT-TON of people I know are pregnant or post-partum right now. And it’s freaking me out. Clearly, the only way to balance out the scales is for me to have a LOT of kinky protected sex, and then, I don’t know, strip naked and menstruate all over a Babies “R” Us or something, chanting, “TO BEHOLD MY ENDOMETRIUM IS TO BEHOLD YOUR DOOM. ALL SHALL LOVE ME AND DESPAIR.”
On a side note, this girl also kept me sane when my own children of the same age were getting into trouble and otherwise drove me nutso. I pin all my hopes for the future of mankind on her slender shoulders. (And I hope she doesn’t mind me stealing from her LJ as she’s vicious when provoked.)
I think no matter where my life had led had I made different decisions, I still would have wanted kids. But I completely support those who chose not to for whatever reason.
It’s all about personal choice. Women really don’t have to have children.
Last Will and Testament
Mar 13th
Sitting here waiting on Max to call me that he’s ready. We’re all, and I mean ALL and sundry, going camping today/tonight/tomorrow. My family and a bunch of their friends. I’m going as the voice of reason. Me. Yeah.
The plan is to fill the empty KEG waiting in my car, pack up lots of GUNS and head out to the desert.
This isn’t gonna end well.
At least all the children are farmed out to babysitters.
Casey’s birthday was last Wednesday and Max’s is tomorrow so it’s a celebratory drunken festival of fun. Max hasn’t been home for his last few birthdays so he’s ready to party. I might just record certain phrases so I don’t have to wear myself out repeating them.
- Don’t point that gun this way!
- Please put that shotgun further from the bonfire.
- I’ll pass on the beer and eggs breakfast, thanks.
- Yes Officer, we’re insured.
So, if the unforeseen (wait, I see it coming so it’s really foreseen) happens, here is my Last Will and Testament:
- I ain’t got nuthin’ and nobody gets it. Give my crap back to Goodwill.
Wow, that was easier than I thought it would be.
PS If there’s anything on the news, could you record it for posterity?
