2012 was a year full of changes. Looking forward to more positive moves in 2013.
Getting ready for the new year.
A Parent’s Worst Nightmare – Newtown, CT
I’m all cried out.
When the news broke on Friday, December 14th about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I watched in horror along with the rest of the country. Another school shooting. But this one was different. This time someone targeted babies. Little kids aged five through seven. This murderer killed 20 children and six adults.
I am a mother and I felt this event on a very personal level. I send my children to school every day fully expecting them to return home. Just like those parents in Newtown. Now that illusion is shattered.
All that you are left with is the why? Why did this happen? Can we stop the killings from happening? And we look for someone or something to blame. The media and politicians will talk about gun control, help for the mentally ill and the need for more security in our schools. There are hard questions that should be asked. There are solutions that this country needs to enact. But will it really keep us safe? Will it really protect our children from evil?
Past events have shown us that an individual intent on doing harm will find a way around our laws and our protections. Evil is persistent like that.
Yet, we find a way to wake up in the morning and feel positive about the future. We find a way to cherish the moments we have with those we love. We find a way to comfort our children and promise to protect them from harm. We pretend that we are in control. We rebuild that illusion for our own sanity’s sake.
What happened in Newtown, Connecticut was every parent’s worst nightmare. I pray that they find peace in the support on a nation.
Live the Quote – Weekly Affirmation
Too much fear and all you’ll get is silence.
Be without fear.
– A. L. Kennedy
Unplugging Your Kid
My daughters, Princess and Diva, are typical teenagers. By typical I mean that a cell phone and/or iPod is always attached to them like an extra limb. This fact is relevant to the story. Let me back up for a moment.
Diva got into trouble at school. Trouble that required a phone call from the assistance principal. I hate getting those phone calls. Consequences had to be suffered.
I did what any parent would do. I did the gadget strip. Gone were the cell phone, iPod and school issued tablet. Access to the home computer and phone were restricted. She was on a major timeout.
And she was miserable. Which played into the genius of my plan. Having a gadget junkie for a kid means that the most effective punishment is one that deprives her of her stuff. (Insert Dr. Evil laugh here.)
However, there was one side effect that I didn’t anticipate. Diva got on my last nerve. The kid was utterly lost without the technical means to entertain herself. She was bored.
I suggested reading a book (books are boring) or watching TV (my show isn’t on). I told her to write in a journal (we do that in school) or clean her closet (I already did). My suggestions were shot down in rapid succession. Her solution was to find me no matter where I was in the house and tell me she was bored. Then we had to have the discussion about choices and consequences. She would disappear for a while only to reappear and we would have the same conversation.
I’m losing it, people. But I must remain strong. The punishment must be complete.
(Here she comes again.)
“Hi, Mom,” she says.
I silence a scream. “Hey, Diva. Want to read “The Hunger Games”? I have it on my Nook.”
“No, I don’t like to read. I just want to mess with you.”
I ask you. Who is really be punished here?
Failing Versus Quitting Or, “Your Lack Of Confidence Is Neither Interesting Nor Unique”
Failing Versus Quitting Or, “Your Lack Of Confidence Is Neither Interesting Nor Unique”.
Seems as if the universe is trying to tell me something. Will I listen this time or die a slow death?
A Message From The Creator
Something I needed to read today.
Is It Thanksgiving Already?
Wow. Where did the time go? October, we barely knew you. Now here comes November being pushy as usual and flaunting two holidays (Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving). Okay. Fine. I’ll honor the traditions and celebrate the day of thanks with friends and family. I’ll eat the turkey and listen to the same stories that get told around the table. I’ll overlook that one cousin that gets on my nerves and I’ll hope no one notices that I haven’t lost any weight from last year. I’ll spend time with my large and loud extended family and I’ll miss not having my Hubby home for this holiday.
And even though life isn’t perfect, I’ll take comfort in knowing that I am blessed to have a family to visit and a meal to eat.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and may your family be safe.