I can't even believe that I am really taking the time to write this.
This blog should be the blog telling everyone that we decided against the camper living after all. We are upgrading to a single wide trailer! Woot. SO excited about that BUT this is not about that. And really, that is all there is to THAT.
Let me start off by saying that I wish you could hear my voice. It's not ranting. Just speaking. None of the conversations, opinions or projected emotions regarding my "Red SOLO Cup" status today, upset me. Nor did they change my mind about any of you or that awful song. They also didn't change my mind about the fact that I feel it is highly inappropriate for preschool age kids to be singing it at the top of their lungs. I just hate the song. I do hate what it implies. Sure. But I am fairly certain that it is because I am the mother of an older child as well. Now, here is where this blog comes in.
I had mentioned that I have a 9 year old that understands the underlying message. Someone commented that, that was troubling. Him understanding the "drinking game" insinuation. Almost implying that there is no reason a 9 year old should know anything about the "adult" use for that damn cup. That was not said, just the statement that him understanding the underlying message should be more of my concern than the song in general.
I deleted all of those comments. Long feeds make me crazy. I always delete long feeds. This is not a new thing so don't worry. You didn't "get my goat".
Anyway, addressing the fact that my 9 year old understands the underlying message, this is what I have to say about that. Aside from the fact that MY 9 year old
1.has started DARE,
oh, and
2.we live in a city where drugs and alcohol run rampant,
3.he's brilliant.
Therefore, Zach and I choosing to educate him on the difference between alcohol abuse and the occasional glass of wine is, in my opinion, the only way to even begin to go about raising a child in the real world. I couldn't keep it from him if I tried. It's impossible. "Beer Pong", "Happy Hour" and countless other non-child friendly activities are advertised about every 3 feet in this city. Don't ever insinuate that I must be doing something wrong because my child knows that there are drunk (and yes knows what the term "drunk" means) idiots in this world that think their life, good times and the definition of a party is filling up a stupid plastic SOLO cup.
I am not doing anything wrong in that respect. It's called teaching. Teaching the wrong way to have a good time and teaching the right way. I am completely confident in his intelligence and I will be damned if I try to dumb him down as a penalty of his age.
This kind of goes hand in hand with, while we choose not to expose them to unnecessary things we also do NOT shelter our children. They will never be lied to in any respect. (Ok, I TOTALLY said the president outlawed toys in kids meals. We don't even eat fast food but maybe once a month and Wyatt's arteries will thank me one day! I'll also fess up to the lie, I'm sure.) Point, if they ask a question, "Mom, what is "beer pong"? It's on that sign" (my 9 year old can read by the way), then they get an answer. "It's a game played with ping pong balls, cups and beer...". Zach and I have answered several questions with truthful, age appropriate responses and will continue to do so. So THAT is why my child understands the underlying message. Because he's smart enough to figure it out from what goes on in the world. From asking questions and from getting truthful answers. This isn't me talking up my ultra smart kid, this is just my kid.
One day, when he is out in the real world, he will be able to make wise decisions and live a life that he can be proud of because he was always fully educated on everything that we could possibly educate him on. When he asked a question we told him the truth the first time rather than going back and reteaching it when he was "ready/older". We educate both of our boys on real life with age appropriate answers at age appropriate times. And without stripping them of their innocence. I know that the "alcohol" talk will come up many more times. As he gets older we will expose him to another layer of truth. Truth that he is better suited to understand at that older age. However the basic lesson will be the same. He will always know that there are much better things to do with your life and that it is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to NOT be the drunk idiot filling up his red SOLO cup because he can't figure out on his own, another way to "party". And that Toby Keith is not the symbol for American patriotism.
