"Plastic Surgery to Stop the Bullying"

I'm going to weigh in on this although it may upset some, but you don't have to read it!

Really!? Rant begin.

There was a 10 year-old girl on the news saying she wanted plastic surgery because her ear stuck out past her hair and kids made fun of her at school...and the worst part, her parents were okay with it! I'm not going to get all preachy and say you shouldn't alter what God gave you, but I am going to say not when you're 10 years old! The segment was about many minor kids wanting to have plastic surgery so they don't get made fun of, and they brought up the episode of Glee where Rachel wanted a nose job to be more like Quinn. I have so many thoughts on this, but I'll narrow it down for you.

First of all, Glee is a TV show and Rachel decided to not have the surgery because she was okay with who she was. Isn't this the message we should be sending our children instead of "you were born this way but we can change it"? Every kid gets made fun of in school! Every kid. Try growing up with the last name Pugh...walking target. But I made it thru, and it was because I had supportive parents to tell me the other kids...well, they'd just have to get over it because it was my last name and it wasn't going to change! Until I got married.

Second, I feel this topic brings me to the cliché phrase of "What is this world coming to?” But seriously, what is happening? When did we start telling our children to change themselves to be accepted? I know some may say kids these days are much harsher than when we were growing up because of the Internet, Facebook, etc. Well, this is because we allow them to be! Some aren't teaching their kids anymore and hell some don't even want to be parents; they want to be friends. Well to hell with that! If my kid does not hate me when he is growing up then I am doing something wrong. Let's look at this generationally. My grandparents were picked on, my parents were picked on, I was picked on, and I'm sure my son and future children will be picked on. I'd like to speak with these parents who are letting their kids get plastic surgery and tell them to suck it up and get in the game! I know my child is only 5 months old, but I will not tell him it's okay to alter his body in order to conform. And shame on the doctors who are willing to do this to a child. They are kids and honestly do not know what they really want yet. I'm twenty-seven and still do not know what I want. This segment just made my blood boil when I was watching it, and could not believe what I was hearing.

Third, on the other side of this topic is to the parents of the bullies. Pay attention to your kids! I know some kids will pick on each other and this is just how life works, but to the extent where kids want plastic surgery? Or to the point where kids are killing themselves or each other? Where does it stop? At some point we, as adults, have to step in and say it’s not okay. You have to step away from your phone, your job, your emails, your video games, and talk to your children. The Internet and technology is not only affecting the children of this generation, but also the parents. Teach your children how people are supposed to be treated, as human beings with emotions. This is the only way our future as senior citizens will not be doomed and we’re left to suffer because we would rather be our child’s friend than guide them in the right direction.

Lastly, it may shock some parents who are older than me or have children older than my own, and they may tell me I just don’t understand. I do understand because I was a kid once, and now it’s my job to raise one! Raise my child to have values, to play outside, to educate him, to give in the world, to love, to support the people he cares about, to think for himself, and to be himself! Somewhere along the line some of us parents make a choice to not invest in our children, and this is just heartbreaking. Where they feel other things are more important than their children. Or they care more about what they get for themselves than what they can for their kids. Sometimes when I have this conversation with others it sparks many other topics about how some people did not want or were not ready for a child. To me, this is still no excuse. When you decided to carry that child and bring it into the world, you took on the responsibility for helping mold a person. Frankly, some of us are doing a really crap job if you ask me.

I will leave you with this: Parents, it is time to grow up. Teach your children to be good people and to care about each other. Do not add to the already growing hatred in our world. And please, do not give me excuses about video games, television, Internet, and rap music because honestly this is just your excuse. Teach your child what it means to love their self. Stop telling your children to change who they are to make someone else happy, seriously!

Rant end.

We're Back...Finally!

It's been awhile since I've been able to write and there are many reasons as to why this is.  First, we were moving.  Second, we were/are unpacking.  It's a slow process here in the Minges house.  And third, I felt like I didn't have a topic to discuss really.  Well, this has certainly changed!

1.  Oliver:  Recently he has discovered his feet.  One never knew how amazing this part of the body could be, but it is hilarious to watch.  It does make diaper changes a little more difficult as he tries to hang on to his feet during the process.  Just this morning I watched him through the monitor when he woke up, but was not quite ready for me to get him from his crib.  He just laid there and worked on bringing his feet up to his hands and the look on his face was priceless!  It's as if to say, "wow! what are these things and where did they come from?!"  And once he gets a hold of them, watch out!  He has yet to figure out he can also put them in his mouth, and I'm sure this will be next.  Also, he has wanted to grab everything!  Also making diaper changing an adventure.  As his tummy was once a thing he hated to be on he is actually tolerating it more as he has figured out he can play with toys more efficiently.  Still he has yet to figure out he can control rolling over from front to back and back to front, but he'll get there.  When he's ready to roll over he screams and cries.  I let him for quite awhile before I kind of nudge him on his side to "help" him realize he can roll over.  Although he is not rolling over, he is scooting on his belly and making a full circle turn with his feet keeping his head in the same spot.  But the best thing so far in his list of new things, laughing!  I never thought hearing my child laugh would affect me so much, but it is hilarious!  And he laughs at the most odd things and at the most random moments.  It makes me think what his sense of humor will be like.  There have been times where he just laughs at me for talking, and it sends me into a laughter where tears are brought to my eyes.  It's contagious in this house and the three of us will sit and laugh at each other for, well, minutes.  Here's a pic of the little man to see how much he has grown:

2.  Moving:  It sucks!  Really, this is all I have to say about this topic.  The move from Indiana to Oklahoma was definitely a learning experience for Justin and I, and one I hope we do not forget.

3.  Something I saw on the Today show:  Became way too long and had to make a separate post...come see it!  (At your own risk)

Shut Your Mouth While You're Judging Me

Today I decided I was kind of tired of being held hostage in my own house.  Even despite the overcast and crappy day outside.  We are supposed to be expecting snow this weekend.  Yeah.  That's right.  Snow...in April.  Indiana, psh!  Anyway, I pack up my son who is not liking this day either and head to the outdoor mall for some lunch.  My vehicle is saying it is 65 degrees outside, which for Indiana is pretty warm.  I go into the restaurant and it is packed so I decide to get my food to go.  As I am given my food I am not given any silverware to eat said food with.  I then proceed to stand at the counter for a good ten minutes without anyone noticing me to ask what I might need.  Might I add here, poor customer service is one of my biggest pet peeves.  And yes, I've been there so I have a right to complain.  So I snag some pour soul who has the fun job of taking food out to the lovely customers for some plastic silverware in order to consume the lunch I just paid nine bucks for.  I proceed outside back to my vehicle and realize I really do not want to go back home to eat this and decide to sit outside.  We were the only two brave enough to sit out on the patio in 65 degree weather at this wonderful establishment.  Oliver is sitting in his car seat in a sleep & play outfit with a blanket on, and I had the cover pulled up on the car seat to protect him from what wind may come about during our lunch.  He was awake so he was enjoying looking at everything around  him while his mommy indulged in a too expensive lunch just to get out of the house. 
Then came the looks.
As people were entering the restaurant every person took a double glance at the horrible mother who was sitting outside eating her lunch with her infant son.  "Oh my goodness, doesn't she know it's cold outside" I could hear them saying.  Really?  It's 65 degrees!  If the sun were out, your ass would be sitting out here too enjoying your lunch and smiling at the cute little baby with his mommy.  I even had an older gentlemen approach us to look at Oliver and talk to him, and followed it up with "It's supposed to get cold.  Maybe even snow".  As to imply maybe I should not have my baby out in this weather!  I reply to him, "Yes, but right now it's 65 degrees outside so might as well enjoy it!".  Some of them even looked so disgusted as to possibly call CPS on me.  Oh the irony! 
So Oliver and I proceeded to enjoy our lunch out even though we were the talk of the town for a brief moment, and he laughed and played while I ate my soup and sandwich.  Seems like a pretty neglectful situation if you ask me.  A happy baby with his mom enjoying a nice day before snow...how dare us!

Oh, and happy tax day everybody!