Mommy Brain

(This started out as a response to a comment, and I got long-wided, so here it is instead.)

Carol – I agree – we’ll never find a church that’s 100 % pro-Harry Potter, nor would I expect to. I would just like to find one where I don’t have to worry that if my daughter mentions she’s reading Harry Potter (or a dragon book or Greek myths, etc.) we’ll be shunned or lectured.

And Kevin (my husband) was actually referring to one of my sisters, who does have a tattoo, used to have a nose ring, and is against Harry Potter. We have decided not to let our daughter have her ears pierced until she’s at least 12 and told her why we believe tattoos and nose rings can be a symbol of association with the world. Yet, I don’t tell everyone else they’re sinning if they have one. I certainly don’t tell them they are opening themselves up to satanism, which is what I’ve been told when I mention that we enjoy Harry Potter. So yes, I could say we’re “against” tattoos and nose rings for our family, but I don’t think we come across as judgemental to those who have them. Does this make sense? I’m kind of rambling, I’m on my way out the door soon, but wanted to address your comment.

It’s the absence of intelligent dialogue that drives me crazy. If you’re against it because you’ve decided that way for your family, fine. But so many times the position is fear-based – people are so afraid of anything that other people say is “bad” that they won’t check it out for themselves.

Obviously there are things we should be against without checking them out for ourselves – these things are sins. I don’t need to commit adultery to know that adultery is wrong. But the gray area issues – we should know what we’re talking about before we make blanket statements about how bad or evil something is. Especially in a place where there is power and influence – like from the pulpit.

Carol, I appreciate your comment – and no it didn’t come off as offensive at all. Thank you for the nice things you said about my blog – I’m glad you enjoy it.

I’m on my way out the door to go to my endocrinologist appointment in Spokane. If any of you have time, please send up a prayer that if there’s “something else” to find that my main doctor missed, it will be obvious and she will know what to do. Thanks!

To make friends among Christian homeschoolers, that is. You’d think that these are the people I would have the most in common with, right? Let me show you why this isn’t true.

Today we went to our homeschool science class. We meet once a week and the kids love it. Today they experimented with gases, using dry ice, which of course was a huge hit with the boys. There are three other families whose children go to the class, all Christians. Although the class is not sponsored by Christians, it is held in a church.

After class, the kids were playing on the play equipment and I was visiting with one of the other moms. She had just been to the library, and so I asked if she was going to sign her kids up for the summer reading program.

She responded, “Yes, I think I will this year. I didn’t last year – one of the prizes was a Harry Potter book and the whole theme was about dragons, so we avoided it.”

Now, I’m sitting there thinking about how I wished Natalie or Noah would’ve won the drawing for the Harry Potter book cause it would’ve saved me the cost of buying it, and also about how the kids loved the dragon theme and enjoyed the (gasp) magician so much we went to see his show again over spring break. And I’m wondering if this potential friendship is worth the tremendous amount of effort it will take to explain my position on all things Harry Potter, magicial, medieval, dragonish, and anything else she might be offended by.

In my head, I come up with some possible openings:

“Do you like the Narnia and Lord of the Rings books? Why do you think those are acceptable but Harry Potter is not?”

“Have you ever actually read a Harry Potter book?”

“Why are you against dragons?”

And a few more that were overtly sarcastic.

Before I could open my mouth to say anything at all, Noah came running up and said, “Mom, can we stop by the library on our way home? I think my Pokemon book came in.”

I say, “Sure, we need to return a few things anyway,” and return my attention to the other mom in time to see the pursed lips and widened eyes. I can almost hear her internal monologue: Pokemon? Oh my gosh, what kind of mother is she? Doesn’t she know that Pokemon is demonic?

As she announces to her kids that it’s time to go, I cross her off my potential friends list. I just don’t have the energy to defend or explain our choices to someone I barely know. I have a few friends who I’ve already invested in and they are dear to me, and yes, we disagree about things. But the foundation has already been laid and the friendships are deep, so we agree to disagree. But why can’t I find fellow Christian homeschoolers in real life like I’ve found online? Christians who read, think, and learn for themselves. I have no problem with someone who has actually read Harry Potter (or seen Pokemon or Power Rangers or whatever the latest anti-craze is) and then decided that it’s not right for their family. I wholeheartedly respect that position. But I have no patience left for knee-jerk reactions based on something that people are not willing to check into for themselves.

I have one fairly new friend who is a Christian and happens to agree with me on this. She told me about a sermon a pastor gave at a church they previously attended. The pastor was preaching about that evil Harry Potter and that horrible J. K. Rowling, and how he had written the Harry Potter books in order to lure children into satanism. He? The man did not even know the gender of the author he was defaming from the pulpit. And of course he had never actually picked up a Harry Potter book or seen a Harry Potter movie. And yet I’d be willing to bet he jumped right on the Lord of the Rings and Narnia bandwagons.

One of my sisters has chosen not to “do” Harry Potter at her house, and she has never read the books or seen the movies. But, she respects my point of view and doesn’t try to convince me that I’m wrong or not truly a Christian if I don’t agree with her.

I long for friendships where I can have intelligent dialogue with people. No, we don’t have to agree on everything, but we should be able to converse and debate and learn from each other and not write each other off just because our media choices aren’t “Christian” enough. I like to think that I am willing to be taught, to change my mind about things if I find that I am wrong. Is it to much to ask for the same thing in other people?

And Clay – please go back to your real hair.

First of all, thank you for all your comments, ideas, and suggestions about my last post. I’m glad (well, sort of) to know that this seems like normal behavior for a 9-year-old. I do think that there are some changes going on, emotional or hormonal, because Natalie has not ever demonstrated a manipulative side before. I remember how confusing things were when I started through puberty, so I’m trying to be understanding while still remaining firm – and praying for patience like crazy.

I’ve resisted blogging about American Idol very much because I know that not everyone is as obsessive about it as I am. But I can’t resist tonight – in a little over two hours the winner will be crowned. (Actually, before that, but I’m on the western side of the United States, so I’m going to avoid the internet and pretend that it’s really happening live when they announce the winner at around 9:45 p.m.)

Here’s to Taylor Hicks – my pick for the next American Idol.

SOUL PATROL!

…for all of you who are moms of daughters. At what age do the hormone changes begin – with regard to emotional stuff? Natalie seems to be experiencing some highs and lows lately that remind me of how I feel right before my period – but she’s only 9 and a half.

For example, this morning she presented me with this beautiful letter:

Dear Mom,

I love you! Please forgive me for everything I have done. We have had so much fun! I would like to spend the rest of my life with you. You are the one who has teached me school, how to crochet, and to be a woman. And I thank you for that.

If we get into fights I still love you. I will get married and you will be happy and sad, but don’t be, because I will love you every second and day of my life. You are a great mom. I will love you all of my life. I love you very much!

Love,
Natalie

Less than an hour later, I found myself having an argument with her over sandals in Walmart – having to explain why her father and I will not allow her to have sandals with high heels. She’s 9! (Ashley and Mary-kate – don’t get me started.)

So any advice? Is this hormones already? Something else? I can’t think of anything else that’s going on that would be distressing her or causing problems. Help!

(The Bugaloos was provided to me free of charge by Special Ops Media for the purpose of review.)

Okay, I’m going to date myself with this one. When I watched the clips that came in an e-mail offering me the chance to review The Bugaloos on DVD, I was suddenly 6 years old again. The series originated in 1970, but I believe the Canadian Public Television channel that we received where I grew up played reruns for many years after that, because I was born in 1972. I loved this show! And I was very curious to see what I thought of it now, so many years later.

Here’s the synopsis from the DVD box art:

Any history of rock ‘n’ roll’s British Invasion must certainly include The Bugaloos. The Bugaloos features the comic villainy of Benita Bizarre (Martha Rae), the lovable neuroses of Sparky the Firefly, and, of course, the musical virtuosity of four British insects named Courage, Harmony, I.Q., and Joy.

So am I the only one? Anyone else remember the Bugaloos?

I popped the first disc in this afternoon and sat down with the kids to watch it. My first thought was that it reminded me of The Monkees for smaller children. I have to laugh over how cool I thought this was back then. The special effects and technology in today’s kids’ shows have spoiled me for the unrealistic flying and lip-syncing. But I found myself watching anyway, and remembering how much I enjoyed it.

The biggest test was my kids. How would they react to their mom’s childhood favorite? Well, I put the first disc in when it arrived from UPS around 3:00. When Kevin arrived home from work at 5:00, they were still watching it. (Yes, I’m a bad mom who lets her kids watch two hours of straight TV – especially when it’s pouring down rain outside.) So I think it’s safe to say that it’s a hit with them. Here’s what they think, in their own words:

Josiah, age 4: I like the firefly.

Jonathan, age 6: I liked the firefly, too. Even we liked it a lot. It is funny, Mom!

Noah, age 7: I think it’s really cool – you guys should really watch it. It’s really funny, too!

The DVD set includes three discs, with all seventeen of the original episodes, and special features, which include interviews with the original cast, a photo gallery, The Bugaloos Video Jukebox, and The Bugaloos I.Q. test. You can purchase the DVD here.

Video Clips:

Theme Song
Clip 1
Clip 2

Disclaimer: Watching those will probably confirm your impression that I am definitely not “hip”, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Homeschool eStore offers one free download a week – and these are quality homeschool products. This week’s download is The LBC Guide to Astronomy.

Disclaimer: I receive a small referral fee if you click on the above link and purchase any products.

I have to follow the “Happy Together Mother” post with these quotes recently heard from my children.

Natalie: You’re making my life miserable!

Jonathan: Your chin makes you look like you’re getting old.

Good thing my kids are around, or I might get a little too sure of myself.

“I like it when my children are happy on their own, but I love it when the whole family is happy together.”

~The ESFJ mother has a highly developed sense of family and what it takes to be happy in life. Capable and personally invested, she strives to create a happy family where togetherness and harmony flourish. Whether it’s taking her children to the park or putting on a holiday feast, her efforts are directed toward having everyone be “happy together.”

~To many, the ESFJ personifies motherhood. She promotes traditional values, tends to the practical and domestic, provides the family with order and structure, and is directly involved with her children’s day-to-day living. The ESFJ mother is a “doer,” and she’s never happier than when she’s “doing” for her family.

~Believing the home is central to family life, the ESFJ mother excels at creating an atmosphere that is attractive and offers security. Energetic and people-oriented, she is drawn to community and the social scene. She helps her children discover the joys of people and groups.

Take the quiz here and then let me know what kind of mom you are. Hat tip: Andrea.

I AM: Tired

I SAID: Josiah, you’re so cute!

I WANT: Onion rings with tartar sauce.

I WISH: I was more patient.

I HATE: Television studios that cancel perfectly good shows after only one season – like Invasion.

I MISS: My sisters.

I FEAR: Not being strong enough.

I HEAR: The kids watching an episode of Arthur on TV.

I WONDER: As I wander, out under the sky…

I REGRET: Losing my temper today – more than once.

I DANCE: Only in front of my children.

I SING: All the time.

I CRY: When singers get kicked off of American Idol.

I AM NOT ALWAYS: Motivated.

I MADE: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for my kids’ dinner.

I WRITE: To sort out my thoughts.

I CONFUSE: My husband. (I know that was Laney’s answer, but it’s true!)

I NEED: New shoes.

I SHOULD: Go read to the kids.

I START: The school year with lots of plans and schedules and ambition…

I FINISH: The school year with relief and very, very short school days.

I BELIEVE: That I am blessed.

I KNOW: That I am saved.

I CAN: Read extremely fast and remember what I read.

I CAN’T: Eat peas.

I SEE: My daughter’s messy desk- but at least half the mess is mine!

I BLOG: For the pure enjoyment of it and for all the wonderful people I meet.

I READ: Every spare minute.

I AM AROUSED BY: No one but my husband has “need-to-know” status on this one!

I FIND: The television remote at least once a day.

I LIKE: To laugh.

I LOVE: My family.

I’ve seen this many places, including at Laney’s and Staci’s blogs. Let me know if you pick it up at yours.