« This is a good thing, right? | Main | "There are no mice in the air, I'm afraid, but you might catch a bat, and that's very like a mouse, you know." »

 
What the !#$ is up with parents these days?

I don't get parents who smoke. Hell, I don't get people who smoke, but parents? Seriously, people - it's not like you can feign ignorance when it comes to what smoking does to your body and to those around you. And even if you claim not to smoke around your child, why the hell would you willingly choose to do something that could result in cancer? What kind of parent would want their child to go through that - especially if you have some control over it? And please, I don't care if we're out in open air, if a child is in your general area, for crying out loud - be a little conscientious as to where you're blowing that smoke.

I also don't get parents who schmooze to get their kid into the "right" preschool with the expectation that they'll get into the "right" private school and then the "right" college. Ummm, how about the "right for your child" preschool instead?

And those people who have kids because socially, it's the expected next step after marriage - regardless of whether or not they want one? And then are shocked to find out that their lives aren't about them anymore?

Even better - people who have one kid, and it's obvious that the kid is in the way of their lives, AND THEN THEY HAVE ANOTHER. Because, well, it's just what you do, right? What the F@#$ is up with that? Sorry, if your favorite time of day is dropping your kid off at school for 8-10 hours and getting on with "your" life, you might want to reconsider why you're having another.

And really, folks, your twelve year old daughter does NOT need to shop at Victoria's Secret. And while it might make you feel sexy to think that the skeevy 60 year old guy behind you is checking out forty-year-old ass through your thong - you should probably realize he's checking out your daughter instead. How about some proper role modeling here folks?

People. Seriously.

|

 
Trackbacks
 
Comments (12)

Very well put! I know I can't stand smoke myself, much less it being blown at my sons one of which has scarring on his lungs and the other who has asthma. I'm not that old a year or two younger than you I think and I don't every remember trying to wear sexy under things at such a young age. It's all getting out of control really.

Posted by Brandy | August 3, 2007 2:30 PM

In regards to people having children b/c its socially expected you are talking about almost everyone I work with. These people have kids and then get annoyed when it affects their travel schedule, resturant choices, etc. . . . the wives that stay home all have full time (live in) nannies - why would one want to actually interract with their children when they can pay someone else to do it. Its really sad, at the end of the day the kids just want mommy or daddy to spend time with them but other more important (ie: social events) call. And I'm not even touching on the 6 year old at sleep-away camp for 8 weeks.

Posted by Sue | August 3, 2007 3:01 PM

This is why I am anti-social...because humans piss me off as much as they seem to be getting on your nerves today. :)

Posted by Allie | August 3, 2007 3:21 PM

I agree with all of the above. I'm also wondering where this all came from... did you have a bad experience recently with someone with questionable parentng skills?

Posted by Cindi | August 3, 2007 3:54 PM

Hee... I get such a kick out of angry Erika. :-)

Once I saw a young woman (possibly still a teenager) who was feeding her baby with a bottle and smoking at the same time. I wanted to walk right up and rip the cigarette out of her hand, but I'm a total chicken so I just shot her really nasty looks as I walked by. I don't think she noticed.

Posted by stephanie | August 3, 2007 3:56 PM

I totally agree, Angry Erika, speaks for everyone. Especially having a kid because that is what you are supposed to do... That is so my sister -in- law.. And get this she has three, and she hates spending time with them, sh*t they live at grandma's because all she wants to do is her stupid ass stuff ( she has no life to begin with)... E.. you always say what i am thinking:)
keep it going!!!

D.

Posted by DREA | August 3, 2007 4:29 PM

My two parenting pet peeves (besides all of those on your list):

1. Skimpy bikinis on little girls~~~beyond the perves gawking at them, there's this little thing called skin cancer, perhaps these parents haven't heard of it?~~~cover them up!

2. Writting across the bottoms/suggestive tee shirts for kids.

Posted by Susan | August 3, 2007 5:35 PM

Don't even get me started. Today I watched a father read sports magazines while his 9 month old was on the floor of the bookstore LICKING an old lollipop stick on the carpet (Ew!) and he was totally oblivious.

I intervened of course but COME ON PEOPLE.

Posted by Kathy | August 3, 2007 6:19 PM

We saw three people in a car with a baby, and the woman in the back seat, NEXT TO THE BABY, was smoking. To say we were a bit peeved was an understatement. Of course, they were "kids" themselves. Not that it should make a difference.

I won't even bring the Mini over to my parents house, because it smells like an 18 year old stale bar, and hello? SIDS risk. After everything we've been through, if I have to go over there, I keep him outside on the patio. Maybe I'm paranoid with the whole SIDS thing, but you know, I think as a parent that's my right.

And I will admit, I look forward to bedtime. And then I spend the next 12 hours missing him.

Posted by statia | August 3, 2007 11:54 PM

Agree agree agree agree etc.

Sadly, I grew up in a household with two smoking parents. They still smoke to this day (not around 4.5 month old Sara but that only helps the immediate airborne issue -- CDC says if you can smell cig smoke you are inhaling second-hand smoke, basically). That stench travels and sticks... we have to strip Sara down and bathe her anytime we visit grandma and grandpa. Any anything grandma sews for her? Takes three washings to get the cigarette smoke smell away.... sigh.

Posted by Shannon | August 4, 2007 6:23 PM

I couldn't agree more with you - it's unreal to me that people allow their children to shop at Victoria's Secret. Hello? They're KIDS!

I was traveling this past week with a coworker who has a 10 yr old daughter. And she was saying how he daughter loves the store. I responded with "I don't think it's right they're targeting younger girls with their "pink" line." She was offended but I don't care. I'm offended at thinking my 7 yr old will end up wearing a thong in 3 yrs. :(

Posted by Tricia | August 6, 2007 10:41 AM

I am with you on the smoking. I lost my dad to Lung Cancer on June 1st and will be getting married November 3rd without him. When I see people smoke I wish for just a split second that they could feel what it is like to lose someone because of a senseless disgusting habit (like a quick jolt) and that would be enough for them to quit.

Posted by Lori | August 7, 2007 10:23 AM
 

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)


See all the moblog pictures
Twittering
Refer A Friend using Revolution Money Exchange

Little reminder

My name is erika-renee, but call me eka - pronounced "eh-ka." I'm suddenly somehow 32, though I still love pigtails and overalls and silly, happy things. I live north of Boston, and I'm happily married to him - we met 15 years ago in high school in NY. I blogged at snazzykat.com for almost 6 years before deciding to make the switch to this domain in Dec 06.

Other important pieces of me: liberal . teacher of at-risk youth . fiercely vocal on issues I care about . pro-choice . equal marriage . CVS sufferer . designer . MA in poetry . lover of all things red sox . raspberry margaritas, on the rocks . yoga. mashed potatoes on biscuits . eddie from ohio . falcon ridge . still want to know more?

100 things | aim | wishlist | pictures

I'm a mama! SleepydoodleLittle Samson Daniel was born on February 24th, 2006. Sammy was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). He underwent his first open heart surgery at 4 days old and his second at 5 months old. He will need another surgery when he's between 2 and 3 years old. His mama and daddy, however, think he's absolutely perfect. You can read all about his birth here, or all about him on his site, baby samson.

eComparison - compare travel insurance online

all this cheesy goodness is mine, mine, mine. don't steal - instant karma will get you. john lennon said so.