I was walking through Target today and I overheard a mother saying to her children, “We need to discuss it with his Nanny, first; I’m not sure what they allow him to play with.” My body went tense and I couldn’t help but wonder about that boy and the people who take care of him. The worst part was that they were in the children’s craft section- they weren’t perusing the toy guns or video games. God forbid that the boy has an opportunity to do childhood things (even at the risk of a little bit of a mess). Some of my greatest joys come from watching my nephew create, get messy, and act goofy. I don’t understand why people such as that boy’s parents have children; they're robbing him of things a child should be entitled to- love, discovery, and fun. I know that, in some rare cases, nannies are necessary (and, I’m sure, some nannies are wonderful, loving people), but everyone around here has a nanny. If these people aren’t capable of caring for their children, why do they bring them into this world? I can't help but think of Mark's discussion of provision on his blog- these parents are able to provide their children with every material thing they can dream of, but aren't providing for them in the ways they need it most. Maybe they think, “Well, kids are the next step in our lives” much like the Christian community is often marriage-crazy. I hope I never make life-changing decisions based on the normal chain of events. I hope I never say, “Well, I guess this is next.”
Monday, January 24, 2005
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34 comments:
Chill out Sherry. The kid is probably a terror with paints. Also, he's obviously a horrible human being since his parents had to hire a nanny to love him; he should be glad to get anything on his birthday - even if it's just a couple of popsicle sticks and a chewed piece of gum.
Heh.
Aren't you the one who thinks people should have to apply for parenthood? :) I was only speculating...I'm sure the kid has a jolly life.
You caught me... I didn't mean a word of it. :-). Mwahaha.
As Pieter has so kindly pointed out before, I hate children, so I'm not quite sure I can relate to your frustration. Though, as someone who has spent time as a nanny, a pretty damn good one at that, I cannot understand why a parent would ever need to get the nanny's input on what their own child can and cannot play with. I'm happy to report that all of the parents for whom I have nannied are wonderful people who loved their children and were involved in their lives. And I agree that people should have to go through an application process before being allowed to ruin children's lives.
For clarifcation, the lady at the store was not the mother of the child (she was buying him a gift). This child and his life are mostly a figment of my immagination. I took one sentence and ran with it.
I am, by no means, knocking Nannies- I'm sure you were an incredible Nanny, Azina. I would love to be a Nanny for a great family- I was even registered at "Gonanny.com" at one point:) And, I'm not necessarily knocking parents who find a Nanny necessary-"Nannyhood" is just a little excessive in these here hills! Do you think we could start a petition for the application process? Ha. Thanks for restoring my faith in families with Nannies!
Sherry, I completely understand your frustration with excessive amounts of Nannyhood. And I do think that some people have kids just because they see it as the logical next step. College education, check. Marriage, check. Corporate career, check. Two cars and a house, check. Hmm, now let's see, what's missing? Can't seem to think of anything else, might as well start making babies.
I'm all for starting a petition, let's make friends with a Political Science Major & have him/her draft it for us. We will prevail!
Sherry... I'm bored out of my mind. Let's go back to Southern California, yeah?
Tonight? I'm down. Our SoCal friends probably need a break from us, though. I can't wait to start student teaching. I think I may lose it if I don't start soon. There's something horribly depressing about being stuck on the second floor of our house. I hate the construction. Or, let's do something here tomorrow? Berekely? If it's raining, we could just go see a movie or something. Let me know.
I hate that it says, "This comment has been removed by the author." As if I don't feel dumb enough. Is that really neccessary? :)
I know... at least you were able to remove your comment... my three repeats still live in infamy on Pete's blog :-)
I would love to do something tomorrow. Give me a call!
I'm 22 and I tasted paint recently. I didn't get it in my nose, but it turned my tongue green. Maybe I need a nanny?
:-P
Whoah whoah whoah.....don't be too hasty about coming down here again. And don't you girls have phones? hahahah. i'm mean....Jessica....are you sure you didn't eat more paint when you were a kid? Azina, you would understand why i'm asking this if you had met her. :-)..just kidding i heart you girls
Funny you should ask, Pete. Jessica and I both happen to be very phone-a-phobic. Blogging and E-mail are the primary reasons we've made it thus far. My social shortcomings seem to be magnified over the phone. Ha.
Pete... you are by far the meanest boy I know.
See if I ever hang out with you again :-P
Sherry... the Aberzombie shirts didn't fit. I'm going to try to exchange them tomorrow... I'm livid.
Even the sweater is a tight fit. Damn bunt cake. I'm not eating for a week. I hate that store. On the plus side: everything else is golden.
Just kidding about not eating for a week. I'm already wondering what's for dinner.
PS: Pieter, I think I like you better when you've thrown back a couple.
:-)
Be careful what you suggest. We're REALLY bored- you might find us on your porch tomorrow morning. I even went to the movies twice today (once with Jessica and once with my mother) and I'm not even a big fan of movie theatres. I really only like the previews. My mother and I saw Million Dollar Baby- it was really good...but depressing and bloody. I don't even remember the title of the movie Jess and I saw-obviously it was memorable.
I'm not trying to post anonymously but I'm not sure how I got my name on last time without starting an account. Anyway, Sherry, I'm sorry your life is so boring right now. Why don't you and Jess fly out here this weekend instead of going to stinky so cal. It looks like it'll be partly cloudy with tradewinds of 10-15 MPH and about 82 degrees. I'll leave the light on for ya! Breanna
Sherry, I think it would be awesome if you showed up on my porch tomorrow morning. Of course, I would be wondering why there were girls outside I didn't know and where the porch came from . . . Regardless, you have a standing invitation to come hang out in LA.
Azina, I think we're getting close to Ronnie's 25! We'll show him. A few posts from strangers and we're on our way! Thanks for the invitation to LA, but Bre's invite to Hawaii is sounding a little more appealing:)
I'm not sure we could be friends if you picked LA over Hawaii, so it's cool. :) I hate to inform you, but b/c my jerk of a brother had to post about elitism, Ronnie now has 26 comments on that entry. But you can make it, I have faith! I'll post 4 more comments if that's what it takes. Oh, and my brother's not really a jerk.
just
for
you
Sherry my friend
hazaa! prizes for everyone! Sherry wins lots of comments and Pieter wins 3 chances to use "hump" in any form he chooses anywhere in the blog universe. ;)
Sherry and Jessica - are you up for a trip to Kentucky!? Its only 20 degrees outside today and we could do all of the fun things that Louisville has to offer in one weekend :) -Stephanie
I'm with ya...I'm a coloring outside the lines is way more fun that in kind of guy...if it was acceptable I would still finger paint just for kicks
Stephanie, um, I would, um, love to come to Kentucky. But, I think I'm allergic to, um, the trees there. I heard their vicious.
they're vicious, not thier vicious. Oops.
Adam,
I still use my fingers when I paint. They work way better than brushes for delicate blending issues.
Then again, I've also been accused of eating paint, so maybe you shouldn't listen to me.
Too bad Ronnie doesn't actually read my blog. If he did, he would be so jealous of my comment count. Too bad most of the comments are from me:)
on the post: I really like that you're willing to live instead of just going through the motions. Rather inspiring really. I'm always looking for another human who's willing to ignore cultural expectations. Thanks. :)
Oh, and don't forget the marriage-crazy college community. Ring-by-spring, what?
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