There are alot of reasons I love to blog. For one, I'm keeping in touch with friends in a way I never would have otherwise. I'm not very good at staying in touch with people, e-mail helps, but really, I am now keeping up with friends that I hadn't heard from in years and I LOVE it. As one friend put it, I can chat with you on my virtual porch. Another reason, which really goes along with the first is that I can share all the thoughts swirling around in my head. I heard a speaker once say that women have 10,000 words to say each day, men have 2,000. So, when your husband comes home from work, he's done talking and you have just started. Now, I can get out some of my words and my husband gets a break. :)
.
Another reason is venting. I have a friend that used to live by me in West Valley. We had the same number of kids, the same ages and genders. We even had matching mini-vans. And, one of the great things about our friendship is that we would call each other occasionally and say, "Can I vent?" The answer was always yes. Now, Kim has moved far, far away, and so, I ask all of you, can I vent??
.
A friend recently questioned me and my wisdom in letting my 12 year-old daughter read 'Breaking Dawn'. Now, to me, this ranks really high in the 'none of your business' category, and I wouldn't say anything about it, but it made me mad. So, I'm going to tell you why I let her read the book.
First of all, Stephenie Meyer is an LDS author, and although her characters aren't Mormon, they have the same values. There's no drinking, smoking, drugs or swearing in her books. Second, she does not describe any sexual activity other than kissing. Yes, Bella and Edward have sex, but she doesn't write about it and most importantly, THEY ARE MARRIED. We have talked to Sadie about sex and the one thing I have tried and tried to emphasize is the sacredness of it and the importance of waiting until you're married. Heck, we have family members who are a worse example than Bella and Edward are!! Third, she has seen worse on TV and in movies, ok, that will just give this person another reason to wonder about my parenting skills. (Again, not her business.) And, last but not least, Stephenie Meyer has done what JK Rowlilng did, shown kids the wonder of reading and getting lost in a story. Being an avid reader myself, it thrills me to see my daughter with her nose buried in a book.
.
Now, the last part of my vent, imagine how I felt when I found out that the person questioning me has never even read the books?? Hmmmm. I truly feel that I have to justify my actions, incuding my parenting decisions to one Person. If I feel I'm ok with Him, then I don't worry what others think.
.JPG)
10 comments:
I appreciate and validate your vent.:) Hope my West Valley comments today didn't cause a vent later.:) Sometimes I need to keep my mouth shut! Okay, really, most of the time. Thanks so much for letting us all go to lunch....you are great!
I know how frustrating that can be, I have been there, done that. We know our kids better than anyone else and we know what they can handle. I personally have not read the books yet (but intend to, I just feel like I do not have the time to spare) but, if it gets a child to read, I say go for it! But I do agree, TV offers much worse, and you don't have to go very far to find it; it is not even the shows, worse is shown on the commercials - you can sensor the show (not let them watch it) but then the commerical comes on, how do you sensor that when you are not aware that is going to be shown? Sorry, I am venting now. :)
I can see that you have done a terrific job as a parent in raising you children. I was at DQ tonight and Adam was there with Lindsay. They said they were hanging out, but he was very nice to her and treated her like a lady. Great job in raising your kids!
Oh, I miss our venting sessions...ha ha...yes, people love to judge don't they, I suppose we have all been guilty of it at some point. I wish, wish, wish Megan loved to read..and I would totally let her read all the Twilight books if she wanted to. Zack has read them all, in fact we fought over the last one, I would sneak and read it when he wasn't home (it was his own copy)...anyway, Sadie is such a sweet girl and you've done a good job...
I was just talking to someone yesterday about tollerance. Even if someone doesn't agree with a choice you make, what business is it of theirs to get in your face about it. All of my YW have read all these books. I enjoy chatting with them about the books. One of my girls was disappointed with Belle's attempts to "bed" Edward before the wedding. She still read Breaking Dawn. Her choice. Not her neighbors or her friends.
You made some good points. Most of my young women have read the books as well. I haven't let Alyssa read them yet, but she is only 10. I think that the whole story line is a little old for her. I do have a couple of young women that haven't been allowed to read them, and without fail, the topic of conversation during mutual turns to the books, leaving these few without much to say, so we have had to ask the girls to limit the amount of time that they spend talking about the books. I also think that because you read the books before Sadie that you are a good enough judge to know what Sadie is ready to understand, and if you have already had the sex talk with her, all the better. Can I send my girls up to have the talk? :)
That chick needs to butt out. It makes me crazy when people have to question everything your children are doing and why. I remember in the town homes a few people would question why Chelsea still wore a diaper at 3, and they had quite strong feelings about it. My children were a little slower that way.
Some mothers want to believe they are the perfect parent and that you should raise your children the same way they are. Everyone is different, isn't that a good thing? I think so. I think you are a wonderful mother and I would never question your judgment, especially with Sadie. Chelsea is reading the books, and loves them. My sister got her hooked. I have been criticised for letting her read it before I had previewed it myself, but I also am glad that she loves to read.
(I had to laugh when you mentioned the not so great examples we have in our own families. I can attest to that myself.)
In regards to the picture you posted. I LOVE LOVE Malcolm in the middle. That show is hilarious.
And it never hurts to vent. We all need to get things out. I usually have to call my mom. Thank heavens for moms. I don't know about Guy but Arden probably only had 1,000 words a day, and that could be pushing it.
I'm with you - that was definately a 'none of your business' comment!!! I really get irked by unsolicited comments from folks. #1 it's your daughter and if you let her read it, so what!? #2 I agree with your points and having read them all myself these books are mighty tame compared to things I read back when I was 12 years old (think Flowers in the Attic, some Judy Blume books etc). #3 I have been telling my 9-year old daughter that she couldn't read the Twilight series until she was 12! ha ha! so now you just validated my point that 12 is a perfectly reasonable age to read them! Kudos for you and tell the 'buttinsky' to 'buttoutsky'!!!
Hey..I also loved the picture of Lois...I tell everyone that Lois is me...I am Lois....I love the show too....I always laugh hysterically!
dido. dido. dido. everyone put it so great that i don't need to say it again!
Post a Comment