Womb tubers – Videotaping the stick

Well, the next generation (literally) in social sharing has bubbled to the top. Posting a video of the stick turning blue/pink or  +/-  with pregnancy results online the moment it happens.  I knew this was next way back in January when we were discussing ultrasound parties, because this is a nation of over-sharers.

A quick search on YouTube of “pregnancy test results” brings up over 42,000 results. Go ahead and try it, we’ll wait………

Again, I say, this fascination with videotaping and sharing every private moment of your lives is narcissistic and sad.  In a world where Instagram and YouTube is used by millions of people, I can see it happening that a gal gets so excited when she sees she’s pregnant that, out of habit, she hits the share button to upload the video just before she realizes that she hasn’t even told the baby daddy yet. Ooops. Oh well, he can read it on his Twitter feed…??

Now I understand getting on FaceBook and posting, ”Hey, guess what, we’re pregnant!” and things of the such, but the world doesn’t need to be in the bathroom with you by way of video feed.  Is there nothing private anymore?

Apparently not, because there will be some kids in a few years that will hate their parents when they realize mommy also videotaped them potty training and posted that for the whole world to see too….for ever…and ever…. on the internet.  Thank goodness there was no YouTube when I was a kid!

Coffee and Beer....for Toddlers?

So I mentioned last week seeing a parent on the Lifetime TV show “the Week the Women Went” giving their 3 year old coffee. The father said she loves it and drinks it all the time. I was appalled that a parent would give their toddler a cup of coffee.

Not only is caffeine a stimulant and addictive but it can have side effects like jitters, stomach problems, heart palpitations and irritability. Young children are still growing and developing and caffeine affects the receptors in the brain. Granted, so does chocolate (however, not as much) but there are plenty of things better for your child to drink rather than coffee and/or soda. Any pediatrician will tell you not to give a child coffee. Most coffee has quite a bit more caffeine than even regular soda. (check out caffeine levels in your favorite drink):  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/AN01211/


Are we really back to “…but I don’t want to tell my child NO”? I checked out the topic online and found there are quite a few people who don’t think this is a bad thing. There are also some who think that a sip of their beer, wine or alcohol can’t hurt either. I completely disagree and think it’s ridiculous to even introduce these things into a child’s life. They’ll have plenty of time to find their own vices on their own when they become an adult, they don’t need a jump start. What purpose does this serve anyway? People ask, why shouldn’t you give your kids these things (and don’t see reason not to)? I think the question is, why should you? Give me a good reason TO give your kids adult drinks. Which side are you on?

"Because I said so, that's why"

In my house growing up, I didn’t hear this very often. And it wasn’t because I never asked, “Why”? It was because I was raised by authoritarian parents and you didn’t dare say anything but “Yes, Sir” or “Yes, Ma’am” when told to do things, especially if they were mad. Nevertheless, my siblings and I did hear it, as do most kids at some point in their upbringing. I swore I would never say it as an adult.


While the younger set just says “No” multiple times, toddlers have a tendency toward asking “Why”? over and over and over again. That’s because at this point they are discovering the back and forth art of conversation, even if they don’t understand what’s being said exactly.

Experts say these are words you should never speak….and that you should have a good answer/reason why you’re asking the child to do something. What? Really? As if once you explain it to your little darling, that will be the end of it. As if the child won’t look you right in the eye and continue doing exactly what you asked him not to and ask, “But, Why”? Right!

Believe me, I have a reason “why” but I refuse to stand there and banter back and forth. I’m the adult and this child needs to understand that pecking order. I’m teaching him to follow rules, right? …and respect his elders, right? Besides, sometimes it’s all you have the energy for. I get it now. So I said, “Because I told you to”.…and it worked, I guess cause there’s no real good argument against it.