Comments on Halushki: The "I Have Deep Thoughts About Parenting" Post

Interesting and useful information. Excellent serv...

2011-10-31T07:31:40.089-04:00

Interesting and useful information. Excellent service and excellent advice. Thank you. Good luck.

what a crazy looking bitch. who is this crazy chic...

2011-08-29T13:24:21.144-04:00

what a crazy looking bitch. who is this crazy chick?? need to wash her brain

I often have to ask my kids HOW they think they ca...

2009-11-14T15:50:44.091-05:00

I often have to ask my kids HOW they think they can be a good friend if they never actually SPEAK to the person they're hanging out with all afternoon. But I'm working on it!!!

Also? Your kids can come play at our house ANY time. XOXOXO

"...are you saying that the duct tape and mar...

2009-11-10T13:07:24.274-05:00

"...are you saying that the duct tape and martini method is NOT a good one?"

In the virtual entertainment world, it's a fantastic method.

In reality, only people who also think Joan Crawford was the original Super Nanny use the duct tape and martini method.

However, because there are people out there who really do think things like "spanking" is "smacking your infant in the head with a hairbrush", on occasion I need to be very clear that no, I don't actually duct tape my kids to chairs when I want to write. :-)

But wait- are you saying that the duct tape and ma...

2009-11-10T01:29:58.475-05:00

But wait- are you saying that the duct tape and martini method is NOT a good one? I'm confused.

These are the things they don't tell you befor...

2009-11-09T10:03:52.972-05:00

These are the things they don't tell you before you have kids. Great post!

Half the time, I'd settle for a volume button ...

2009-11-08T21:31:22.743-05:00

Half the time, I'd settle for a volume button on toys. Egads!

I dig and agree with so much of what you're sa...

2009-11-08T18:06:36.727-05:00

I dig and agree with so much of what you're saying here.

The one thing I hate most about parenting in this age is that just about every toy has batteries, lights and sounds. Most of the time without any off switches.

J, you ARE a Virgo. I can see how we share the sam...

2009-11-08T13:34:30.750-05:00

J, you ARE a Virgo. I can see how we share the same thought processes. I think about this stuff ALL THE TIME. It also bothers me that there is so little greenspace or room for unstructured outdoor time and that kids don't seem to know what to do with unstructured time anyway. Blerghh... I could go on and on but I won't. Great post, lady!

Also it really does suck how much neighborhoods ha...

2009-11-08T11:28:44.496-05:00

Also it really does suck how much neighborhoods have changed. I was outside nonstop all summer long as a child. With neighbor kids, by myself, running around. We currently have no kids within walking distance of our house. We don't live in a scary neighborhood, but we don't live in a fancy neighborhood either. I have two registered sex offenders living two houses down from us (one of them for raping a child) and I hate being all wahwahwah nostalgic but man it bums me out that I can't magically give my son the freedom I had as a child.

Thank you. I think it's so important that we ...

2009-11-08T11:25:49.448-05:00

Thank you. I think it's so important that we keep questioning the way we live with our children. I don't believe there are cut and dry wrong and right answers but I do believe we can't afford to be complacent. My kids are still really little, and I constantly feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. And I know I'll keep feeling that way. But thoughts like yours, these deep thoughts, remind me to try to focus on the time we spend together being goofballs.

That's a great point about having another adul...

2009-11-08T09:00:18.260-05:00

That's a great point about having another adult out there with the kids. Our neighborhood bumps up against a large, sometimes -fast-flowing creek. In the summer, the water is low, but in spring and fall it can get high and dangerous.

Of course, kids all end up playing near the creek. I feel much better if I know they are going to a house near the creek where a parent is home and outside with them.

Also, I do think kids will organize their own games...eventually. It's like pulling a kid from public school and then unschooling them. It takes a while for them to realize that they can learn even if a bell isn't ringing telling them to start class and end class; even if the adults aren't giving them a syllabus.

Such great food for thought. And, I think it is PA...

2009-11-08T08:54:07.157-05:00

Such great food for thought. And, I think it is PATHETIC that kids left your house when you said 'no tv/video time'. I hate when I hear that my kids went to someone's house for a playdate and then watched TV.

I also bemoan the "where are all the kids" thing too. Here's one thing though: I have a friend who is a stay-at-home dad---after school, he throws a football with his son outside and within minutes 10 kids are in his yard playing football together. This happens OFTEN. I think part of it is that HE is out there being involved so the other parents feel safe letting their kids go over to play outside. I know it isn't possible for everyone to do this, but it does make me think that just sending my kids out to play may not be enough. Make it look fun enough and maybe other kids will materialize.

Wow, Jozet. This is spot on in so many ways. I'...

2009-11-07T23:11:29.130-05:00

Wow, Jozet. This is spot on in so many ways. I've always known that you were a great mom, but now I have proof.

Here, here, friend.