Sweden became the first country to ban corporal punishment of children thirty years ago. Now, more than 24 countries have similar bans on corporal punishment in the home, and more than than 100 countries ban schoolteachers and administrators from hitting their students. Eva Svedling, a sociologist with the organization Save the Children Sweden, tells host Michel Martin how the ban has affected the lives of children and parents in the country. Then, Martin turns to the program's regular panel of moms — Jolene Ivey, Dannette Tucker and Aracely Panameno — for more on their decision to spank, or not spank, their children, and if an anti-hitting ban like Sweden's could ever be passed in the U.S.

via www.npr.org

Very interesting NPR story on corporal punishment. The spankers seem to have a hard time understanding that the representative from Sweden is not saying that you should not discipline your children. She is stating that you have to draw a line between violence and non-violence with children. She then makes the point that the child is an individual also deserving of human rights, and we would not allow this behavior towards other individuals.

One New Year's, my family went to stay at one of those Catskills resorts, now closed, that catered to Jews of a certain era. Think Dirty Dancing with less Swayze, more sour cream. And one day someone smacked a child:

via jezebel.com

Once again, the spanking issue :) I for one, would love to see a spanking ban in the United States, much as we have a ban on hitting adults.

Day One

"Mom?"

"What"

"What if Max and I didn't exist? Would that make you sad?"

"Yes, Hollis very sad."

"Oh"

Day Two

"Mom?"

"Yes, Hollis"

"Maybe Max and I don't exist"

"Hollis, I was there at the delivery. I am certain you exist."

"But what if you are dreaming, and Max and I are not real?"

Day Three

In a taunting tone . . . "You are dreaming, Max and I aren't real, you are dreaming, Max and I aren't real"

Lead chips are not that bad of thing for young children to eat. I wonder if it is too late.

As most of you probably already know, Mattel has revamped Dora the Explorer. And the result, above, is basically Dora the Bratz Doll.
As I have said before, it is never to early for a girl to learn what will really make her popular in this world. And we all know that a girl has to be pretty to be popular.

Even sites marketed to smart women always bring up that you can be smart AND pretty. Really, I can? Thank you! Now how about you let me not justify my existence by being f*ckable at all costs!

Not that this brings up any issues in me or anything.

Twice
exceptional children and adults often believe that the true level of
their abilities is revealed on their bad days, and that they are faking
it on their good days. Linda Kreger Silverman, Ph.D.

My son Hollis' Montessori teachers, who started out so full of energy and understanding, have become reasonably tired of his antics. I certainly see where they are coming from, I had just hoped throwing obscene amounts of money at the problem would solve it.

In the fashion of the true narcissist, Hollis' problems this year have led me to remembrances of my own childhood, and struggles with being sensitive, different, and very, very lonely. When my son hugs the dog beyond the point of affection, and to the point of desperation, I remember clearly doing the same thing. In fact, as a child, I made my cocker spaniel ride in my bike basket. That could not have been good for the dog.

As I renew my struggle to find an appropriate fit for Hollis in school, it calls into question what I truly want for my child. I so often find myself thinking "Goddammit, why does everything have to be so complicated" and at the same time experience the same immobilization when too many choices are presented to me. When choice after choice is available to me (like THE WHOLE DAMN MONTESSORI CURRICULUM  – WTF WAS I THINKING), I will invariably choose the easiest choice that allows me to get back to daydreaming and goofing off. Self-discipline is not my best quality. So why do I expect more from my six year-old than I do myself?

So my choices for next year are EP Todd Elementary, Houston Elementary, Jesse Boyd Elementary, the new Spartanburg Charter School, and the Spartanburg Day School (that choice comes with its own new 2nd shift job of whoring at construction sites to pay the tuition!). Any public school will most likely want to involve him with their special education program (emotionally disabled is how they put it), but when pressed, they admit they are not used to special ed children with such a high IQ.

I renew my plea for someone to begin the Jedi Training Academy. This kid's metachlorides are off the frakkin scale, and I am not sure he will indeed bring balance to the force. I think we all know what a less than ideal training situation can lead to, especially if, as Yoda says, there is "much fear in the boy."

So as many of the four readers of my blog know, my older son has been, how shall we say, "inspired" with his choice of behavior this year. But many of you wonder, hey, what's up with the little one?

Max is turning three in one month. He is cute, friendly, and completely normal. Or so I thought.

Tonight I was reading a book to him while he was on the potty. At the end of the book (Do Pirates Take Baths? if you must know!) the pirates are dreaming of their mothers'. So I ask Max very sweetly if he dreams of me. He says no. So I then as if he dreams of pirates. He says no. So I ask what he dreams about?

Max is obsessed with Velma from Scooby Doo. He makes me call him Velma, and he calls me Freddy when I drive our minivan. Every time we pass First Baptist of Spartanburg, Max looks for the "Mystery Machine", which is really the Hangar Z Christian Scion car.

So, my sweet, sweet little boy tells me that he dreams of Velma. I smile. Then he tells me that he dreams of "fighting her down!" I still smile. He then tells me he kills Velma and throws money on her.

What the fuck?

So apparently my soon to be three year-old dreams of being a killer pimp????