At the Pool (or WTH?)

Now, I’m not the most prude person out there, but this weekend, as we’re lying out in the sun, at a public pool, I saw something I couldn’t believe. There were families enjoying the weekend, hanging by the pool, mom and dads, lots of kids and people in general.  What disturbed me was the child who looked to be 5 or 6 yrs old (girl) whose mom removed her bikini top and who spent the entire day walking around with no top on. I can see doing this with a toddler, say 2 yrs,  but certainly not a child as old as 5 or 6.

It’s not just about weirdos,  though they are out there. I feel there’s a need to teach your daughters that this is not acceptable once they are old enough to understand the concept.

This mom made sure there were towels for the child, she diligently put sunscreen on her and we even had our sunglasses…but somehow, no top was fine!?!  Do some people need help understanding appropriate? 

To add another dimension:  Does it matter if they were clearly German and may have different cultural ideas?

I clearly don’t agree with this but how do you feel about it?  Up to what age do you feel topless is OK with your daughters?

Fifty Shades of Baby Boom

Yes, I admit it….I’ve read the first two of the three Fifty Shades (E.L. James) books….as have millions of women now. I initially had little interest until the buzz got so loud it was barely avoidable and it piqued my curiosity. I also was approached by a total stranger in a sushi bar while reading a (different) novel on my Nook and asked if I was reading Fifty Shades. The lady was so excited and breathy to hear if I’d read the popular novel and when I told her “No, I’ve heard a lot about it though” she said, “OMG you simply must!”.


In addition to the sexy story and erotic passages that happen in the book, women are falling in love with the steamy characters and, I think, the emotional fantasy it stirs. It’s been called “emotional crack” for women. This racy book, they claim, has really revved up their sex lives. I’m guessing their men are enjoying this renewed interest even if they’re not sure where it came from.

Recent talk suggests that we’ll be having a Baby Boom of Fifty Shades babies that should hit sometime in 2013 judging from when the books seem to have become so popular. Some ladies are admitting they are reading these novels two or three times and are even considering naming their newborns after the characters in the books.

Women have always related to and named their kids after certain characters in books and movies that moved them. Movies such as Body Heat (1981), 9 ½ weeks (1986) and Original Sin (2001) may have caused their own “baby boom” in their time.

Now we know that the Fifty Shades movie is a reality and the casting efforts are in full swing. Fans seem to be leaning towards either Ian Somerhalder (Vampire Diaries) or Ryan Gosling (The Notebook) to play the sexy Christian Grey leading role but the casting is a very make or break thing since every woman has their own idea about who’s sexy and perfect for the part. Production is still a ways away so we have plenty of time to find the perfect Mr. Grey.

Have you named your child after a character in a book or movie? What actor would you pick to play Mr. Grey in the movie?

It's a Bumpy....Road?

Sometimes, the best intended baby bump keepsake photos seem like a good idea at the time but not so much later. (I have no idea what the tire is for!)

We’ve seen some awkward belly photos in our time, BUT, last week, Vanessa Lachey posted one of the most beautiful baby bump photos I have ever seen….

Vanessa and husband, Nick Lachey are expecting a baby boy in late summer, early fall, September-ish. The couple said on Vanessa’s website, “We can’t wait to meet him soon!”

Nick took this gorgeous picture and Vanessa urged followers on Twitter to “Show me ur bump and I’ll show u mine!” Absolutely stunning!

Are real Dads getting angrier?

Now that dads are starting to get more hands-on with raising the kids, are they "feeling the burn" of all the weariness that Mom's have dealth with for years?  We're seeing more disgruntled dads emerging in culture, from Adam Mansbach’s children’s book, Go the F**k to Sleep,  to the big screen with the new movie, The Change-Up where Jason Bateman's character is a father of three and compares his kids to raising little heroin addicts.  Is art imitating life here? 

Not from what I can see.  I know several Mom's who would be thrilled if dad would actually help out with the kids.  Maybe the real dads I know are worried their lives would look like the dads on the screen if they did.  Sure they help out topically when asked (grumbling under their breaths), but I don't know too many dads that really get in there and get dirty with it. That's not to say those dads aren't out there and kudos to those that do, but lets not expect too many brownie points for doing what hard working Mom's have been doing for decades.  As for being angry about it dads, well, they're your kids too and you have to present a united front when raising children or they'll walk all over you. Now you know why Mom needs a glass of wine sometimes to take the edge off.