Random Randomness and Then Some Tunes
Friday, September 17, 2010
On the Internet, nobody knows you are a dog. Peter Steiner cartoon in the New Yorker July 5, 1993
I watched a segment on the CBS Morning News the other day, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It made perfect sense and I actually found myself nodding my head in agreement. Then I gave myself a hearty pat on the back because we are already doing a lot of what they talked about in the article.
It is a rare thing for me these days to agree with the news. Typically I find myself muttering unmentionables at the TV people because I wonder what planet they are living on. It sure as heck isn't the planet I'm on.
Then I wonder which of us living in La-La land.
Is it me or them?
*****
Having kids is the best way to hear what you sound like when you talk. We have entered the Parrot stage of Moxie's development and believe you me, it's horrifying. Particularly when you see your toddler drop her toys and she mutters "Oh Sh!t!"
Yeah. That was one of my finer parenting moments right there.
Lets just hope she doesn't do that in Nursery at Church on Sunday's.
*****
I find myself wondering if I am emotionally abusive to my kids.
Not because I emotionally abuse them but because I am just brutally honest with them.
Thing 1 is incredibly smart. In fact in first grade the school system wanted to move her up a grade because she was so bored in her classes. I actually considered it because I knew academically she could handle it, however emotionally? Not so much.
However lately it seems that this smart child of mine has lost some of her brain power and her common sense has flown south. For like the last year.
I seriously wonder what in the crap has happened to that smart kid. She has no common sense. None. She should be riding the short bus with regards to common sense. And, I told her that.
Is that abusive?
*****
We have a rule at our house called The F Zone Rule.
{dun dun dun}
I sort of hate being the Warden of The F Zone.
The F Zone is where anything below a B- is considered to be "in the zone" and you lose privileges.
No Internet. No TV. No Video Games. No Friends.
I know, right? I heard you gasp!
A B- seems drastic but it's really not. That is basic, minimal effort for Thing 1. It used to be a lot lower, and she would just coast along so we had to raise the bar for her. We have clearly stated our expectations, going so far as to write them on a poster board and put them up in the kitchen.
We have been doing this going on four years now, and she finally doesn't argue. She checks her grades and if she's in The Zone all I hear is a heavy sigh and she buckles down and does her work.
If she is extra cooperative or nice to her siblings, then I reward her with Facebook time during her "jail time." I change the email and password associated with the account during the punishment so there is no way for her to "sneak". Which she would, if she could.
It is a great motivator, that Facebook account.
I had a Mom recently tell me that I was too strict and then in the same sentence say that she just didn't know what she was going to do with her daughter-- she was pulling straight D's and F's.
I asked her what her daughter does with her time and she replied "She just spends it all with her friends and on Facebook."
I just looked at her, smiled and said "Hence The F Zone Rule".
I really believe that Facebook is a privilege.
Hanging out with friends is a privilege.
Everything except for food, shelter and education is a privilege.
Is it strict?
Yes.
Is it teaching her to reach a little higher and to put forth a little more effort?
Yes.
Is it teaching my daughter to balance her life?
I sure hope so.
I want her to understand that you have to work first and then you can play. It's important to learn the proper order of things so that she can be a happy, healthy, well adjusted adult.
We will adjust the levels of The F Zone for each child based on what we know they are capable of and so far there has been no need to implement The Zone with the other children.
So, I guess I will have to continue being the Warden of The F Zone.
*****
Yesterday Moxie was playing in the kitchen while I was cooking and I heard her talking on her cell phone.
"Hu-woah? Who dis?"
{silence}
"Oh Hi, Jesus. Can you get over here? I wanna pay wiff you."
"Oh. Uh-huh. OK. See you later."
I wonder if He did come over to play.
Deep Thoughts.
*****
I'm not much of a TV watcher as of late. I used to be a TV junkie but over the last 6-7 years I've really toned down my TV.
There are very few shows that I've watched from beginning to end: ER, West Wing and Lost are the most recent ones.
I have no idea what shows are coming up; However, I did see an advertisement for a couple that piqued my interest. The first one was on Pandora for the new show My Generation. They've come up with playlists for each of the characters and that really grabbed my attention. Clever marketing!
The next is Undercovers. It's created by J.J. Abrams. Need I say more?
What shows are you going to watch?
*****
Have an awesome weekend. I'm headed out of town for a nice weekend get-away with Jefe. We're going to lounge in the mountains, look at the leaves, read our books and veg.
It's a much needed vacation for just the two of us, and frankly, I can't wait.
1. Just Like Heaven - The Watson Twins
2. Ryan's Song - Venice is Sinking
3. Something to Say - Kim Richey
4. Farmers Daughter - Ana Egge
5. Gold to Me - Ben Harper
6. Feels Like Home - Chantel Kreviazuk
7. Hold On Hold On -Neko Case & Her Boyfriends
8. Ease Back - Amos Lee
9. Sleeping To Dream (live) - Jason Mraz
10.Free Fallin' - John Mayer
Bonus: Smile - Uncle Kracker
I watched a segment on the CBS Morning News the other day, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It made perfect sense and I actually found myself nodding my head in agreement. Then I gave myself a hearty pat on the back because we are already doing a lot of what they talked about in the article.
It is a rare thing for me these days to agree with the news. Typically I find myself muttering unmentionables at the TV people because I wonder what planet they are living on. It sure as heck isn't the planet I'm on.
Then I wonder which of us living in La-La land.
Is it me or them?
*****
Having kids is the best way to hear what you sound like when you talk. We have entered the Parrot stage of Moxie's development and believe you me, it's horrifying. Particularly when you see your toddler drop her toys and she mutters "Oh Sh!t!"
Yeah. That was one of my finer parenting moments right there.
Lets just hope she doesn't do that in Nursery at Church on Sunday's.
*****
I find myself wondering if I am emotionally abusive to my kids.
Not because I emotionally abuse them but because I am just brutally honest with them.
Thing 1 is incredibly smart. In fact in first grade the school system wanted to move her up a grade because she was so bored in her classes. I actually considered it because I knew academically she could handle it, however emotionally? Not so much.
However lately it seems that this smart child of mine has lost some of her brain power and her common sense has flown south. For like the last year.
I seriously wonder what in the crap has happened to that smart kid. She has no common sense. None. She should be riding the short bus with regards to common sense. And, I told her that.
Is that abusive?
*****
We have a rule at our house called The F Zone Rule.
{dun dun dun}
I sort of hate being the Warden of The F Zone.
The F Zone is where anything below a B- is considered to be "in the zone" and you lose privileges.
No Internet. No TV. No Video Games. No Friends.
I know, right? I heard you gasp!
A B- seems drastic but it's really not. That is basic, minimal effort for Thing 1. It used to be a lot lower, and she would just coast along so we had to raise the bar for her. We have clearly stated our expectations, going so far as to write them on a poster board and put them up in the kitchen.
We have been doing this going on four years now, and she finally doesn't argue. She checks her grades and if she's in The Zone all I hear is a heavy sigh and she buckles down and does her work.
If she is extra cooperative or nice to her siblings, then I reward her with Facebook time during her "jail time." I change the email and password associated with the account during the punishment so there is no way for her to "sneak". Which she would, if she could.
It is a great motivator, that Facebook account.
I had a Mom recently tell me that I was too strict and then in the same sentence say that she just didn't know what she was going to do with her daughter-- she was pulling straight D's and F's.
I asked her what her daughter does with her time and she replied "She just spends it all with her friends and on Facebook."
I just looked at her, smiled and said "Hence The F Zone Rule".
I really believe that Facebook is a privilege.
Hanging out with friends is a privilege.
Everything except for food, shelter and education is a privilege.
Is it strict?
Yes.
Is it teaching her to reach a little higher and to put forth a little more effort?
Yes.
Is it teaching my daughter to balance her life?
I sure hope so.
I want her to understand that you have to work first and then you can play. It's important to learn the proper order of things so that she can be a happy, healthy, well adjusted adult.
We will adjust the levels of The F Zone for each child based on what we know they are capable of and so far there has been no need to implement The Zone with the other children.
So, I guess I will have to continue being the Warden of The F Zone.
*****
Yesterday Moxie was playing in the kitchen while I was cooking and I heard her talking on her cell phone.
"Hu-woah? Who dis?"
{silence}
"Oh Hi, Jesus. Can you get over here? I wanna pay wiff you."
"Oh. Uh-huh. OK. See you later."
I wonder if He did come over to play.
Deep Thoughts.
*****
I'm not much of a TV watcher as of late. I used to be a TV junkie but over the last 6-7 years I've really toned down my TV.
There are very few shows that I've watched from beginning to end: ER, West Wing and Lost are the most recent ones.
I have no idea what shows are coming up; However, I did see an advertisement for a couple that piqued my interest. The first one was on Pandora for the new show My Generation. They've come up with playlists for each of the characters and that really grabbed my attention. Clever marketing!
The next is Undercovers. It's created by J.J. Abrams. Need I say more?
What shows are you going to watch?
*****
Have an awesome weekend. I'm headed out of town for a nice weekend get-away with Jefe. We're going to lounge in the mountains, look at the leaves, read our books and veg.
It's a much needed vacation for just the two of us, and frankly, I can't wait.
Catch ya on the flip side.
1. Just Like Heaven - The Watson Twins
2. Ryan's Song - Venice is Sinking
3. Something to Say - Kim Richey
4. Farmers Daughter - Ana Egge
5. Gold to Me - Ben Harper
6. Feels Like Home - Chantel Kreviazuk
7. Hold On Hold On -Neko Case & Her Boyfriends
8. Ease Back - Amos Lee
9. Sleeping To Dream (live) - Jason Mraz
10.Free Fallin' - John Mayer
Bonus: Smile - Uncle Kracker
