Why is the Jersey Shore being Promoted to 12 Year Olds?

Why is the Jersey Shore targeting 12 year old children? This show promotes drinking, smoking and casual sex. It exploits women as sexual objects that are DTF. WTF? Why is this replayed during daytime hours. This is adult programming if I ever saw it and yet it is on a MTV after school and targets the 12 to 24 year old demographic. Shame on them.

We say we want to teach our children not to drink, smoke have have sex yet this is what they are being exposed to and idealize. This is what they see as being typical behavior. They are watching these 20 somethings behaving shamelessly and getting paid big money for it.

The cast has been shown literally falling down drunk and sent to jail, girls making out with girls - do we really want our daughters thinking it's ok to make out with their girlfriends? I'll go on about this another time - girls lifting their dresses in bars to show the World their goods, the boys picking up drunk girls in clubs that are DTF.

Yes I watch the show and I have the guilty pleasure of watching the escapades of this motley crew but when I realized this show is being broadcast during after school hours, on weekends during the daytime, over and over again,  for young kids to watch, I was stunned and furious. This is not appropriate for junior high school students. In my day, I came home from school and watched the Partridge Family and the Brady Bunch. I guess the days of innocence is gone and kids are exposed to way more than I ever would have imagined.

I'd like to see shows like this given a TVMA (mature audience) rating and only broadcast after 10PM. Why do we want our kids exposed to lude behavior? Why do we want our kids to idolize these people who are best known for being big time partiers? Why do we want to endorse programming that exposes adult situations promoting drinking, smoking and sexually explicit images.

If we want our kids to be good, let's start by making what they watch good. Let's get some wholesome shows that promote doing and being good. Things that make our kids want to be better people. To help others and work hard. Not showing how you can be a celebrity and be rewarded for a party lifestyle.

Know what your kids are watching. If you have impressionable children, ban these types of shows from your household. Inspire them with quality programming.

Jan

What! Are You Wearing That Out In Public?

It is hard to believe what I see some of the young girls wearing today!  They wear shorts that don't even cover their bottom and shirts that are completely transparent!  My daughter's classmates who are only in the 6th grade are wearing things like this!  I would never allow my daughter to wear this attire.  Why would any mother want men looking at their daughter's in a sexual way?  Why do girls want to attract that negative attention?  These men are not thinking what a nice girl, I wonder what her personality is like? I respect her feelings and would like to get to know her as a friend and maybe eventually it will lead to a meaningful relationship.  They are thinking they would like to go for a ride!  (you know what I mean)

Young girls are being abused and mistreated more and more these days and it is time, us, women say enough is enough!  We no longer want to display ourselves as pieces of meat.  We have minds, personalities and feelings!  If we wear and allow our daughters to wear sexually provacative clothing we are advertising that we are sexual objects only for men's pleasure.

I look at women having to wear less and less clothing to get attention from men and they are also getting less and less respect. Back in the 40's and 50's when my mom was growing up, women would show a little leg and men would get a little nervous and excited.  Now women have to get completely naked and men are not even really getting as excited as they use to, because they have been so exposed to nudity that they are desensitized by it.

It is important that young girls understand that women are more respected by men if they respect themselves. If the man only loves you for your beauty and sexuality, you're in trouble because the next pretty girl is going to come along and you're history!

Steph

911 Tribute

I watched the 911 tribute today. I used to be able to see the Twin Towers from the beach in my Town. As half my town works in New York, there were people from my Town that died that day although I did not know them personally.

Today as I watched the tribute, I thought about how it changed us all. I remembered the kindness and bond that it created. I finally understood, I think for the first time, truly understood the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It may seem silly but I finally connected with that story because suddenly now I can personally relate to it. I cried when I watched it at Christmas because you can knock us down, you can take down our buildings, but you can't take our spirit. Our patriotism showed through and we preservered.

I cried as I told my daughters what happened. They are too young and don't understand but I hope that they will not have to ever live through something so tragic. But it reminds us once again to be true to ourselves. Know what's most important in our lives. Believe in ourselves and our country.

God Bless America.

Jan

Motherhood is Harder Than It Looks

Being a parent is the hardest job in the World. I remember hearing this before I had kids and thought, "oh please, it's not that hard to take care of cute little babies and kids who love and adore you and you get to hug them and brush their hair and play with them.

Now that I have two kids, I know just how hard it is. I think it's one of those things that you just don't get until you experience it. When you only see one side, the fun side of parenthood, and when you really want to be a mother, you glorify being a parent. But it really truly is the hardest job. I love my kids but it can be stressful, difficult, exasperating, frustrating. I have always been pretty mild mannered yet lately I find I raise my voice, to put it politely, daily. The bedtime battle is exhausting. Saying every night 20 or 30 times the same thing over and over, brush your teeth, brush your teeth, stop playing and brush your teeth. Seriously, what should take 2 minutes turns into 20 minutes. Night after night of 20 minutes in the bathroom is just 18 minutes longer than I want to be in the bathroom yet I can't seem to speed up the process.

So I had to laugh when I was watching Bravo's new show, Most Eligible Dallas. when one of the girls featured on the show, Courtney, started judging this single mom, Neill, and whining about how she was out on a Wednesday night when she should be home with her baby; and how badly she wanted to have a family and kids and she would be home every night with her "little nugget". I had to laugh because that is such a single girl dreaming desperately to be a mom but having NO idea of how hard it is. As a mom who was desperate to have kids and I adore my children and love them more than anything else in life, I know that even with this most unconditional, unwavering love of your children, sometimes you need some time for yourself. You need some time out with friends. Especially a single mom who has no daily support or back up, I can't even imagine how good it would feel to get out and given the opportunity, I'm glad she took it and had a fun night out. It's just too bad she had to be judged.

This also reminds me of a girl at work who is trying to get pregnant and went on about how a baby wouldn't slow her down and she would just throw the baby on her back in a baby Bjorn and take the baby with her every, including traveling... on long plane trips. I laughed. I remember when I thought the same thing. Then reality sets in and traveling with a baby or young one is not as easy as throw the kid on your back and go. It's packing two extra suitcases filled with baby gear and toys, a carry-on bag filled with toys, books, snacks and drinks. The stroller, the car seat. Then of course have to entertain in a tight space for hours. I laugh. I've done it but it will be a while before I do that again. Now I prefer to take quick get-aways by car and the longest I'm willing to travel is 3 hours. It's a movie in the car DVD. When movie's over, it's time to pull over, take a bathroom break, have lunch/dinner, back in the car with another movie, and then we're at our destination.

So to you singles wishing and waiting for the easy life of motherhood, please believe us when you hear it is hard. Don't judge a girl who gets to go out for a couple hours and takes it. Don't pretend that you are that special that for you it will be easy, like we are all doing it wrong and you have the secret to motherhood being easy. It will be harder than you can imagine so be prepared. It is without a doubt the most amazing, wonderful thing. But your life will change completely. No more quick running out. Simple errands become a chore. I wish motherhood for every woman that wants children but just don't think it will be different for you. It will be hard. But it will be worth it.

Jan

College Kids - Go for Your Dreams

My niece is off to college. It's her first time on her own and this is an exciting time for her. It's been a long time since I've been to college but there's one thing that should be at the top of the list for every college student. Go for your Dream!

Don't settle for less when you go to college. Even if it seems crazy, if it's a "tough" industry to get into, if it doesn't "pay well" or if it seems unattainable. Go for what inspires you. If you enjoy your work, you will be happy and successful.

College is the time to go for it. It is the time to give it a go. There's always time to fall back on another career but if what you really want does not pan out. College is the place to make your dreams come true so don't sell yourself short.

I know of a girl whose dream was to be a dolphin trainer. She went to Sea World and talked to a trainer, very commendable, but the trainer told her there were not many jobs available and it was hard to find a job. So she gave up on her dream and is going to nursing school. This breaks my heart.

Don't give up on your dream because one person says it's hard. Go to college. Learn your trade or industry. Give it your all and be the best. Maybe that specific job wouldn't pan out but there's other job in the field that she could have done that would be a lot more exciting and rewarding for her than completely abandoning her dream before trying.

Get an intern position in your field. Definitely a summer internship but see if you can even intern during the school year. Having a long-term intern position not only looks good on your resume but also gives you a leg up for a paying position. Even if you don't start out with your dream job, if you are in the industry, you can work your way there or do something comparable.

This girl has an aquarium less then an hour away from her home. She could have interned there to see if she really would enjoy it as well as learn the other opportunities in the industry while at the same time having the chance to make a good impression which could lead to a paying position and at the least ask for a letter of recommendation to help her chances of landing a job somewhere else.

Then there's my niece. I learned that she is devastated because she wanted to go to college to become a vet but she missed a pre-requirement in high school so she's giving up on her dream.

I say do what you have to do to get what you want. Talk to the guidance counselor and find out how you can work it out. Take the class in summer school at a community college.  Don't take no for an answer.

Scared of classes that are challenging is also no excuse, that's what college is for, to challenge yourself, gain discipline and conquer your fears. Life is full of challenges. Learning how to tackle these challenges is what makes you stronger. Don't give up before you try. When you succeed it will make it that much more sweet.

College is the time to become anybody you want to be. I think everybody knows what they are passionate about. Some are just afraid to try it or think it's too difficult or too unattainable. In this economy any job in any field is tough. So you might as well go for the one that you dream of.

Believe in yourself. If you don't, nobody else will. College is setting you up for the rest of your life. Your Life. Make it the best it can be. Do what makes you happy. Don't let anyone or anything squash your dream before you give it try. GO FOR IT.

Cheers and Good Luck.

Jan

Why Is An Engagement Ring Important?

I heard a discussion on whether or not a man should buy a ring for an engagement. Some people felt that being this is 2011 that a ring is not necessary. The argument was that women work and can support themselves. That a ring isn't necessary to have a commitment. Why should a guy spend money on a ring?

Why? Because this long-standing tradition is they way that a man shows his commitment and love for a woman. The ring symbolizes the commitment that he is making.

The proposal is the guy's day. The proposal should be thought out and special.  It's the day that he gets to create and plan. Then the woman plans the wedding. The man pays for the ring. The woman pays for the wedding. It all evens out and actually in most cases the ring is way less then the cost of a wedding. Sure today it's possible that both plan the wedding and both save up for the wedding but I'd have to say in most cases the woman has had a vision of her wedding all her life and will be the one to do the majority of the planning.

Why wouldn't you want you man to buy you a ring? Even if it's not expensive, it shows that he put in the thought and wants to give you a symbol of his love. It's special. If he proposes on a whim without a ring, I think it's romantic and great but not official until the ring is on her finger. A second proposal should be made as an official proposal.

Just say yes to the ring.

Jan

Better Tasting and Healthier Than a Burger

  In the summer we love to grill and grilled veggies taste great!  Instead of putting beef burgers on the grill try a portabella mushroom!  First, marinate the mushrooms in olive oil, you can add herbs like oregano, basil, garlic, salt and pepper.  Let the mushroom marinate for at least 20 minutes.  If you are looking to save on calories you can use an all natural olive oil spray and lightly spray mushroom.  Then place it on the grill, add a slice of  your favorite cheese on top and place it on a hamburger roll.  It tastes delicious and it's healthier than beef, turkey or chicken.

  We had a big barbeque party this past weekend for my daughter's birthday and served choice of beef burger, hot dogs and of course the portabella mushroom burger.  Our guests were skeptical and didn't think they would like the mushroom burger but everyone had a taste and the mushroom burgers ended up being a huge hit!  We ran out of portabella mushrooms and had to go out and buy more! 

 A great side to go with your mushroom burger is corn on the cob, spray it lightly with butter or olive oil spray and place it directly on the grill, it gives the corn a great flavor!  Enjoy!  Happy Barbequing!

Steph