<p>^^downtoearth—I felt the same about the annual showing of Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan…wow how different is that experience from our childrens’ lives, watching these preschoolers these days watching the latest kids’ new release on their personal DVD screen…</p>
<p>on the sexting issue, I’ve heard of cases where even if a kid sends their own picture they can be charged w child pornography, which imho is ridiculous. this is now being challenged in the courts. it is shockingly common among younger teens, 13-16 and worth talking with kids about…as they do look at this very differently than we do.</p>
<p>It is really frightening how they think. I never would have thought to do this. what would have stopped if I had was my parents would have “killed me” !!! This girls parents want to press charges. The kids were just stupid. and it could ruin everything.!!! I guess at the beginning of the year there should be classes about this. and the consequences. anyway looks like we are all on the same page, so the world isnt completely nuts unless its us LOL</p>
<p>The Middle - tv show - last’s night’s best line. Mom announces they are canceling cable due to mounting financial issues. Horrified, the middle daughter says, “That’s child abuse!!” In the end, the kids found something else to do and the parents were the ones that went crazy. My whole family watched Disney on Sunday nights. We dont even watch TV together around here!! In fact, D16 watches any TV she does watch (Glee) on Netflicks online!</p>
<p>So today… I hear all kinds of ruckus by the cat. I come up the stairs to find her chasing a bird! I had left the screen door open. So I open the door really wide and as I am trying to get the bird to fly towards the door with the cat simply freaking out at the same time (She actually caught the thing once) … wait for it… another bird flies into the house! I have no idea why they felt our home was welcoming, especially with the freaking cat, but it took me a good 10 minutes to sweep up the feathers they left behind once I got them out the door!</p>
<p>that case is unique in that the young man was 18, and he sent them to ex gf followning a breakup, perhaps as a form of revenge. more concerning are the cases where a 14 y.o. with low self esteem sends her pic to a bf to be liked, having no idea she is doing something wrong.</p>
<p>you and I see that it is wrong on several levels for them to do this…however there are many young teens who truly don’t see it as “wrong” in that it is their body. as they are beginning to learn about themselves and relationships they may do things like this as part of that experimentation. these same kids may show each other their bodies in person and would not necessarily see that as wrong either.</p>
<p>One of the (many) challenges of working with teenagers is that their ability to comprehend future consequences – especially those that seem to be in the distant future – is really, really poor. Just look at what gets posted on facebook!</p>
<p>Efforts are underway in our area to make “sexting” something that doesn’t trigger registration as a sex offender.</p>
<p>That’s why I see this as an issue about which I’ve given my kids the “don’t ever ever ever even think about it” lecture. No “but…” Just don’t do it. </p>
<p>It’s irrational…a teen boy and girl could be in a room together naked…no crime that I can think of (is it indecent exposure if both consent and it’s in one of their houses?) but if one sends a naked picture of himself to the other by cell phone, it could have lasting criminal implications. Doesn’t make a lot of sense but don’t analyze it - just don’t do it.</p>
<p>Speaking about our digital world…my son posted on Facebook “My world is falling apart.” </p>
<p>He won’t friend me, but did friend H and DIL, so when H told me, I freaked. Asked H to text him and see if he’s okay, which apparently translated to, “let me know if you need anything” to which S responded, “nothing right now.”</p>
<p>Do any of you moms think that’s what I meant for him to ask???</p>
<p>So I texted him and said, “heard what you posted, is it a joke or are you okay?” He says, “long story, I’m fine.” Nope, doesn’t work for mom. I asked, “do you have a minute?” The response was “chill, I’m fine.” Now, the word CHILL is just like nails on a chalkboard to me just like WHATEVER is.</p>
<p>Told him I was worried, and CHILL isn’t exactly what I was feeling.</p>
<p>Turns out the World of Warcraft champion whose autograph he got at a convention was accused of cheating.</p>
<p>Sometimes we know too much about our kids that we really don’t need to know! Luckily, I’m heading to Napa tomorrow…need the wine tasting NOW.</p>
<p>cpeltz–this is why it’s so hard to be a parent these days, we want to be aware, but sometimes it can be a double edged sword…</p>
<p>missy–you and I totally agree, I’ve had the same talks with my kids, also the be very careful about what you put in print, fb or otherwise. they do the famous eye roll until they come home and tell me about the friend who got in trouble for same thing…</p>
<p>I am green with envy cpeltz! NAPA!! O yeah…that trip was supposed to be for our 20th, then 25th, then 30th anniversary. Maybe I should try for 31st this June??? Ack…the fb status! My H would be just as bad trying to find out what is going on! And I am having an adult beverage as I type…bad day!</p>
<p>dte…D2 doesn’t really know what she wants to do.She is a business major…probably concentrate in accounting or finance as she is a numbers person. One of our friends has been talking to her about being an actuary. ( I don’t tell her that I think that is soooo boring!) The law thing intriques her but she won’t decide for a while.</p>
<p>My girls know that they would have a near death experience if they would ever send nude photos! I have been on them for years about writing bad words, talking about others or anything like that in ims, texts, fb, etc. They know too many kids who have gotten in trouble so I pray they remember those lessons. I’m pretty easy going and not real strict about some things but this is a line they dare not cross with me.</p>
<p>Old time tv…lawrence Welk, Red Skelton, June Taylor Dancers, Lennon Sisters, the Cartwright boys, Fess Parker, Ed Sullivan…that was my childhood!</p>
<p>I am off to d16’s game… but I saw NMN’s post about bad day and just had to say… ran into half the neighborhood at the grocery store. I do not exaggerate when I say some I haven’t run into in a year or more. We decided we should just carry wine in our purse because the way we were chatting, we all just wanted to pull up a chair and have a glass of wine. No booze sold in Mn groceries. their loss! We could become their best afternoon customers!</p>
<p>I love the stories today. First Moda’s birds, then I totally relate to CPeltz’s panic. I’m pretty sure my boys wouldn’t send naked pictures of themselves anywhere but I can’t say we have actually ever had that conversation. They don’t use foul language that I have ever seen or heard – beyond the chilll and whatever, which I guess could be considered foul but I let it pass.</p>
<p>Ughh… what a day! My mom had major surgery today so I picked her up this morning at 5:30 am and I’m still at the hospital with her in the ICU. Everything went fine, but still not fun. Although I spent several hours while she was in surgery in the nice lobby of the hotel connected to the hospital and I got to see a number of parents with their high school kids (sleeping bags in hand) on their way to visit Rice for Owl Days. I felt somewhat voyeuristic!</p>
Ack…the fb status! My H would be just as bad trying to find out what is going on! And I am having an adult beverage as I type…bad day!</p>