Personally, i think three is a little too young for Star Wars, but i have kids who get scared easily. I also think that letting kids see and do things too early is hard on them. They're not emotionally or developmentally ready to deal with the feelings and subsequent behaviors that arise.

Anyway, you didn't ask that. Mothers can be horrible. Not all mothers though. You need to find a new peer group.

I think I'd be a "sheltering" dad. Scarry movies did give me nightmares as a kid. Funny thing is peer pressure and ads probably effect me more now as an adult than as a child. I was pretty tough that way I think that kind of pressure for me now is more effective. Have I grown soft and dim witted?

I remember my frustrations with some of our friends when my children were young. When they were old enough to do sports I heard some amazing things when it came to their childrens future (and sports). When you think things can't get any worse, parents egos are monstrous about the future. It's not about their kids but about the parents ego and dreams.

I think our kids are better people because of our beliefs so keep doing what you believe and don't worry about others. In the long run, everybody forgets. Although as many times as I had to bite my tongue throughout the years, I'm surprised I still have one.

PS.....I think you could be my younger sister I never had.

As you are probably aware, you have posted similar topics one or two times last month. Other parent judging your parenting choices or comparing children's abilities. You seem like someone who has pretty clear ideas on how you want to raise Franklin. I wonder if you just need to move away from these types of conversations when you can. They seem to weigh so heavily on you ...

Jess, you are right, I do need a new peer group. I actually have some really great, supportive mother friends. I just have to learn to keep my mouth shut when I'm not among them - which is a shame.

Marc, a few posts ago you commented about war and how we label it as a society to lull us into denial. That, my friend was niether dim-witted nor soft. I loved that comment.

Kat! I never had a big sister! I always wanted one! Where the hell were you?

Beverlee,

Oh dear. Have I become a broken record?
Like I said to Jess, I need to keep my opinions to myself when in situations where I don't know the mothers.

I'll try to get off the topic. Sometimes, when I write in this blog, it's a release. I have recently got some pretty odd email response from our sugar decision and the fact that I felt the need to use natural dye for Easter. I suppose I was feeling like I needed to tell some people that what I do is my business. Just because I post it on my blog, doesn't mean I'm telling others how to raise their kids.

Thanks for the reminder though. Sometimes I need people to tell me to get over it, already.

I got a few 'looks' when asked "Did the Easter Bunny visit Theya" and I replied, "Theya doesn't eat candy." Oh the looks. How dare I deny my child the sugary goodness of Easter consumerism!? And of course, the instant defensiveness, "Oh, but I ration Timmy's candy so he only gets once piece per day.."

We all need buttons that read "We're just doing our best here. How you decide to screw up your own kids is your decision." If you made them, I'd buy one.

I'm hearing you, Ada on the judgements parents seem to make amongst each other on raising children. I do my best to keep in mind, what works for one family, may work differently for another....what works for one child, may work completely different for another. We are all individuals and we all do our best as parents to make educated decisions in regards to raising our children.

Taking sugar out of Franklin's diet may be the answer to issues you've all been struggling with. I'm trying the same with Erika because her blood sugar drops dramatically like mine does, causing irritability, extreme sensation of hunger etc...for her, she doesn't understand and gets cranky and throws tantrums. She needs a better balance of proteins to carbs...her carb intake was taking over and she'd burn them off so quickly. She's a sensitive girl like I am...she's a miniture me and I know what works for me. When my parents give her baskets FULL of chocoatle eggs...(which aren't chocolate at all but sugar and oil,) I end up being the bad guy at limiting and having to hide them up high, and refusing after a couple is silly...we grew up with lots of sugar and turned out fine....yada yada...if only people just respected choices other parents make without question, that would be cool.

On the tv thing...we rarely let tv go on. They have to ask, it has to be a midday movie and ONLY if they are really tired and grumpy. That's US. We have friends who keep tvs on all day long...when my kids are over, they watch it because it's a novelty but they also feel it's a treat and that's ok with them! MODERATION.

Blogging gets tough sometimes because you feel it's your space to say what you feel. I have had so many instances with my little itty blog and friends and family...somedays I don't know why I do it...it was for me but I am constantly reminded the internet is public and I'm directing my writing to the world.

Anyway, that was long enough! LOL...and Erika is screaming because she can't get her shoe on...gotta go!

Awww go on! Your a sweetheart but I do feel pressure to conform to society more now. One of the reasons I got rid of the boob tube was it made me feel I should live like people on T.V. ie rich and beautiful.

Okay, this post has finally made me comment.
I dont' mind that other mothers want to raise their kids differently than me. What I hate is when mother's will make subtle remarks about how THEY don't do what I'm doing because THEY think it's not right.

It's like when you try and tell someone about a cool show and they tell you flatly that their kids don't watch television. That wasn't my point. My point was the subject of the show! Get over yourself!

Of course, I know this makes you annoyed too so I am not referring to you.

Chair. Perhaps when Theya gets older, you can provide eater egg containers with little toys inside, or have a look at the cool hard boiled ones Ada made. Easter doesn't always have to mean chocolate and candy.

I KNOW Sunshine Coast Friend what you are saying about the tv/cool show thing....

Last week I referred to "Frasier" in regards to a dog walking past to someone I didn't really know well. This person clearly made her point that she doesn't own a tv and doesn't know what Frasier is...YA RIGHT! I don't care if you have NEVER owned a tv...you live in society. GRR!!

I smiled and said, "hmm, well Ok then!"

and one more shout for humility!!!... Wait, that doesn’t sound right.

I think this is an interesting topic. Here is my 2 cents. When people say things like 'did the easter bunny visit?' the question is just a harmless comment that really means 'how was your long weekend with your child?' It is not a comment on the consumption of a lot of Easter candy. When it is met with a statement about a child not eating candy, I think that may be what makes people get defensive. It kind of implies that they may be somehow at fault for giving their child candy. Perhaps saying, 'yes the easter bunny visited and left some cute little stuffed toys and some raisins' would not lead to defensiveness.
Smarties have saved my life a couple of times (just try getting your 3 year old to take the worst tasting antibiotic ever, 4 times a day, with no help from a partner), and that doesn't mean that my child eats them for every meal. However, comments about children not eating candy make me feel like I need to defend myself. See, I just did!
This is different from Ada discussing her decision to reduce her son's sugar intake. She is just commenting on one of her parenting decisions, and there is no implied 'and you should do it to' to the whole thing.