The End of an Internal Argument

Being prone to romanticizing the inherent (supposed) wisdom in the innocence of children, I often waffle on the notion of children being capable of self-regulation. Mostly, out here in the uber-liberal Pacific Northwest, I sit feeling a little uncomfortable - feeling like a control freak - while parents who seem to know more than I do tell me about how children should be able to use their innate wisdom to govern themselves.

I have felt almost ashamed of the way I've developed rules for my kids. I don't allow them unlimited TV or computer time. I don't allow them to eat whatever they want, whenever they want. They have a bedtime.

But tonight, being Halloween, I decided to try something a friend of mine claims worked with her kids - I let my kids eat as much of their Halloween candy as they cared to eat. With self-regulation and natural consequences, how bad could it be? A tummy ache followed by an understanding of the need to consume less sugar?

Ha.

Here's a "natural consequence": I'm no longer going to allow myself credulity when parents toss that nonsense at me.

They aren't the ones scrubbing gummy candy puke out of my carpet while my three-year-old alternates crying about her sick tummy and crying because she still wants to eat more candy.

It's Alive

Tonight I painted. Not walls. Nothing that will make my home pretty. I dug through the closet in the spare room and found my old case of oil paints. Mineral spirits and an old canvas that have been in the garage forever were dusted off and I took over the dining area of my kitchen. Tonight Kali crept from my canvas. It was easy. The build-up of the background is done. Kali is fleshed out, glowering from eyes too white in the darkness. Her arms flex, holding aloft... OK I haven't gotten that part sketched in... tomorrow... Her right foot is prominent, as she steps on the supposed corpse of Shiva. Yeah. I told you it wasn't pretty. I'm not sure if I'll include some vague battle in the background.

There's a legend that tells of Kali wreaking vengeance so powerfully that, despite the need for battle being over, no one can stop her destruction and blood lust. Finally the other gods bring her son to the battlefield. He cries. And amidst all the din and violence, the cry of her child breaks through and she stops everything to hold and nurse him. So the war is ended.

Money-Saving Tip

If you buy fancypants Fleur de Sel salt from Whole Foods at $19.99/lb...

Don't get flustered by crying kids, etc., and dump the whole container on the floor.

:o) I <3 xkcd.com

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/90s_flowchart.png