Stop Asking

I just have to vent a bit here. No, my 14 month old son is not walking yet, so STOP ASKING, and, no, I don't care when your baby starting walking. Do you really care if my son is walking or do you just want to point out that your younger child is walking, which, in your wack-job mind makes you a better mom or your child a better kid? Let me tell you something--I could care less when or if Little Johnny or Mary is walking, it doesn't really mean anything. Our kids are not showdogs or racehorses, they will all walk and talk eventually. Why don't we just celebrate being moms and be grateful for happy, healthy children, not compare stats!

Great Book for Preteen Girls

If you have a preteen daughter, or tween as they are calling it these days, and you are wondering just how to broach the subject of her changing body, get her the book, The Care and Maintenance of Me--the Body Book for Girls. This book is put out by the American Girl company. My eldest daughter is 10, and while I think I am pretty good at explaining things to her and am fairly confident that she wouldn't be afraid to ask me anything, I wanted to make sure that I hadn't forgotten anything and that there wasn't something that she was too embarrassed to ask--or something that she or I didn't think to discuss. So, I picked up this book. It covers everything from hygeine to periods to eating disorders. It is, I think, a great tool for parents and a great reference for girls.

Australia

Hubby and I watched the movie, Australia, starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman a few nights ago, and I thought I'd share my opinion of it. On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best, I'd give it a 3. The scenery was beautiful, and the movie was narrated by the main character, an Aboriginal child, which I loved. I have a real proclivity for movies that are narrated. I think this may have began when I saw Mermaids, with Cher and Winona Ryder, for the first time (if you haven't seen this, check it out). Back to the outback, the plot was interesting, though, I would say not terribly original. Nicole Kidman's character reminded me a lot of Scarlet O'Hara in Gone with the Wind--spoiled rich girl forced to grow up and get her hands dirty, realizing what's really important in life---and, in both cases, land turns out to be the thing "worth fighting for." So, all in all, the movie is worth watching, if for nothing else, watch it for the Jackman eye candy.

Ugh...Middle School

My oldest daughter is experiencing her first bout with teasing. A boy in her class has been mercilessly teasing her, calling her names, and, in general, making the school day miserable for her. I remember going through this in middle school and how low I felt even though I knew, deep down, that what the teasers were saying wasn't true. As a mother, it is very painful to know that your child is being hurt but that you can't kiss the boo-boo and apply a Scooby-Doo band-aid and make it all-better. It is also very difficult to figure out just what to do about it. My instinct was to go to her school and talk to the punk myself or go to his house and have a word or two with his mother. But, I knew, I couldn't do that. In the end, I spoke to the teacher, and he spoke to the child's parents. He also checks in with my daughter to see how things are going. This makes me feel a little better; at least she knows that she has an advocate at school. I told my daughter that the best thing to do is to ignore the teasing and pretend like it doesn't bother her. I also told her that this would be the hardest thing to do, but I explained that the boy just wants a reaction and if she responds or cries, then, he will continue. If he thinks that she is unphased, he will eventually get bored and probably start picking on someone else. I also told her that boys at her age (10) are immature idiots who don't know what to say or do, especially if they like a girl. I told her just to keep her chin up and know that she is the better person. Just ignore him, he is dirt, I said. Unless he touches you, then, you beat his ass!

Secret Windows

A follow-up to On Writing, Stephen King wrote a book entitled Secret Windows containing essays and short stories on the craft of writing. The volume also includes some of his earliest writings, previously unpublished. Anyway, I am currently reading this one, and, again, I must say that I find it fascinating and rather useful. However, unless you are a horror fiction writer or are considering the genre, you probably won't find it as useful, but it is nonetheless fascinating. Check it out.