I have a bone to pick this week. Having a bone to pick usually means I am going to get up on my milk crate and start preaching to everyone around me. Consquently, this means you.
When I was twelve-years-old I was an avid reader and my mom used to let me order books through the book order all the time. I remember the last time I ordered a book through the book order, I got a book called Summertime something. I don't remember the title to tell you the truth. The book was about a 14 year old girl who goes to camp, and falls in love, and well, you know what happens after that... I made it about 50 pages into the book, hit the first sex scene and knew something was wrong. I knew my mom would be really upset if she knew what I was reading. As a child I didn't really know what genre of book I was reading, but as an adult I can tell you that the book was a romance novel at best. But a romance novel about a young girl. I gave the book up to my mom who about had an heart attack.
How could I have gotten a book like this out of an approved book order? Much less an approved book order at a Catholic school?? My mom pulled on her momma bear pants and went storming into the school. I don't know what happened behind those closed doors. I sat outside wondering if I was in trouble for having ordered this book. Obviously, I was not in trouble. I found that out later.
As a result, I am the mom that watches what her kids watch. I am the uncool one that forbids certain shows on Disney, and Nickelodeon. I have a problem with kids on tv being rude, disrespectful, and vulgar. I don't think that kids should be acting that way, and I don't think my kids need that example in their lives. I have been very blessed with an amazing daughter who at nine-years-old makes these decisions on her own. She passes up on inappropriate clothing, she switches the channel on the television, and she is the first to tell me when something is not right.
Friday Phebe came downstairs with her Friday folder. She was so excited to show me the certificate that she got for doing Math Olympiads all year. I hugged her, of course and was so excited. Then she made a face that looked unsure, and pulled out her "award." The award that all the kids got was a documentary dvd of Alien Encounters. I swallowed hard looking at the dvd, not wanting to judge right off the bat what it contained, but already wary. 12 hours of footage! What happens during Alien encounters? Well, this dvd would tell you. All presented in documentary form. A form, that my daughter will have a very hard time distinguishing what is true, and what is not. I took the dvd, and Phebe was very understanding, and she knew it was not something for her before she even pulled it out. Thank God for her!
I personally, don't watch that kind of stuff, but I realize that some people do, and I was willing to give the adults the benefit of the doubt that maybe their kids were really into Aliens. Then I noticed the rating. TV14. Really??? TV14?
That warranted an email to the teacher. An email that was forwarded to the principle. I still have not gotten a response.
What are you waiting for? Jump in there and find out what your kids are doing. You might not like what you find, but it is your job to be there and know what is going on.
TV14 and she is 9? Are you kidding me? Did they just make a ' general let lump everyone together kinda thing'? Hmmm, that would upset me too? I have an 18 year old and even while I was down in Texas I was STILL trying to tell her, umm, not sure you should be wearing that, are you sure about doing this, what do you think about that'? Umm, even she said ' Mama, it's time to back down on the Mama bear thing'. No, you never stop being a Mama Bear, even when they don't want it!
ReplyDeleteFor I think SOME of what I said did get through, even at 18....
So, yes, I do agree and STILL can't believe you haven't heard back, may be time for another email or maybe even a visit!!
Way to go Mama Bear and what an amazing kiddo you have....
Traci