{Manic Mondays}

There is a FABULOUS article about leaving the guilt behind in this month's issue of Parenting magazine.

We all have those days where even shutting the door while you pee makes your mom-guilt meter swell above the limit, but what I'm wondering is who made these "new rules"?!? And why do they seem to apply only to our generation of parents? It's crazy. I feel like I've turned out fine, and I was raised in the get-outside-and-stay-outside-until-the-street-lights-come-on era. My mom never felt guilty (or never admitted it) about what she might be doing wrong to affect my future. I think she always had the mentality that she had it a lot worse and she also had too much other shit to worry about rather than me. I'm not saying I wasn't cared for or taken care of. I got what I needed when I needed it, but above and beyond? No. And it doesn't matter. Because it taught me that you can't always get more than what you need. Sometimes, there's just no money left, or time left from two working parents. Sometimes you need to wake up and face the fact that you're the kid, and the world doesn't revolve around you and the big picture is that you turn out to be a moralistic, caring, contributing member of society, not the next winner of American Idol.  In my childhood, you were not treated as this special star that could do anything and change the world if you wanted. And in some ways, sure, it taught us to be submissive to authority, not to question anything, and take everything at face value. But what else did it teach us? It taught us that everyone has something they can contribute, whether it be the next CEO or the garbage man. NOT EVERYONE can be the best. Not everyone can be in charge. The world doesn't work that way.
So, I say, moms, quit feeling so guilty about missing the deadline for french lessons for your 2 yr old. Don't feel bad that your child can't play 5 different musical instruments. You're doing a fine job. Your child will survive. And if you're lucky, they'll grow up with a realistic approach on life knowing that sometimes you fail. And mommy won't always be there to hold your hand in that job interview.
Read the article, I think you'll agree (or change your parenting style).

Unacceptable!

Things are different these days. Maybe. Or maybe my parents just had standards. (My, OH, my, how you view your parents differently as you get older!!!)

Look at this picture:



Okay, the back story. A few days ago (or whenever... I have NO concept of time), we put this bedframe out by the trash (to, um, you know... THROW OUT!). It was leaning up against the garage (on its' side--with the legs sticking out--you see?).

Okay. Yesterday it was sitting in its' current location covered in the hay (which you see in the box). Oh, and the empty box was setting exactly where it is now. Important note to story: this is not our hay. Nor do we have ANY idea where the hay came from.

So... yesterday afternoon, I see a bunch of neighborhood boys (who are known to play in that area) cutting through the house and the garage (don't get me started on that!!)... so I ask them who did that?

Me: "hey guys, who made this mess?"
Kid #1: "it was my friend, he's not here"
kid #2 (simultaneously): "it was Scapegoat"
me: "okay, tell Scapegoat he better get back here and clean it up"
kids: "okay"

So... today. Kid #2's Mom was talking to me over the fence in that same area. I point to the mess and say "do you know Scapegoat? Kid #2 said Scapegoat did this". She says she will talk to kid #2 and find out.

Not much later Scapegoat's mom comes over. I show her the mess. She says "so you just want it cleaned up?" I say "yes."

And there you have it. This (above picture) is how Scapegoat cleaned it up.

Are you FRIGGEN kidding me? Did I mention the hay does not belong to us? Did I mention how the frame was previously leaning up against the garage?

Yeah, thought so.

Let me tell you how this would have played out in my house. My scared little ass would have been hauled down (by the ear) to the neighbors' house. I would have had to knock on the door, apologize to the neighbor, and clean it up while listening to my mom talk about what a worthless little shit I am.

It's a shame parents don't have the same kind of love for their kids today.

(Now to be fair--this never would have actually happened to me, because I was perfect... but I can totally see it happening to my brothers)

*as a side note/question: the bike that you can see in the background, the one leaning up against the other garage... go ahead and go back to the picture, I'll wait... um, yeah, that bike... it belongs to Scapegoat... would it be completely wrong of me to take that as collateral until this mess is cleaned up?