Saturday, October 13, 2007

Dear Not So Shy Anymore Commenter,

In response to my "What Will Become of Him?" post, you wrote the following:

Dear Ashley,They call it an idiot box for a reason. You raising an idiot or a really smart Big Kid? Guess what? You keep the box off as much as possible and he will be creative, learn to read, ask why, can wes, and not pester you to buy all that bullshit they are marketing! Save a brain and save a bundle at the bank! Sincerely, not so shy anymore commenter.

It's so nice to hear from you! While I appreciate your unnecessary concern, I am quite confident in Big Kid's creativity level and brain power. Have you heard some of the things he makes me pretend? Did you miss that he's already reading, doing 2nd grade level math, counting to 100, making graphs for fun, knows all of his calendar months and has a fairly good vocab of both French and Spanish, among other extraordinary things for a 4 year old? He can also install software and customize your desktop and icons, and he'd be happy to do so. Oh, and I get plenty of "whys" and "can wes" even with the tv on, trust me, he talks all day long, television or not. Isn't that what 4 year olds do?

You must have missed that our television died. We now have a borrowed 27" that only works 30% of the time due to our satellite dish issues. Not that it really changes anything between you and I, I just thought maybe you would sleep better at night knowing my kids don't get to watch television 70% of the time, unfortunately we just don't get to pick the times. And you know what? He's fine! He's smart and creative and personable and independent.

As far as commercials go, I have been blessed. He is just now realizing that those things showcased on tv are available for sale and when he asks for them, he wants them for his Emmers or his friend Julian. He has never asked me to buy him something he's seen on tv. And if he did? No biggie. I'd tell him no, like I do for everything else.

Clearly you missed the point of the whole post. I did what I had to do and luckily it worked for us. We couldn't afford a nanny or daycare at the time, we thought we were in a great position with me working from home. We had no idea it would turn into such a demanding career and that it would be nearly impossible to "keep it on the side" as we had originally planned. It was important for me to be with him through his babyhood, and although he did spend too much time in front of the tv according to the AAP, he was home with his mom and I did spend every free moment I had with him and worked my butt off during naptime and bedtime.

Once again, I appreciate your concern but I've got it handled. I do wish your one and only comment didn't have to be so....well, annoying. But you've got to do what you've got to do, and apparently what you've got to do is tell other people how to raise their kids. Keep up the good work! Unfortunately, this mission wasn't successful but maybe there are other mommy bloggers out there eager to take parenting advice from an anonymous stranger. Good luck with that!

Please, stick around. I do love comments and maybe if you stay awhile, you can collect enough information to turn me into Department of Children and Family Services and save my children from a lifetime of being chained to the boob tube.

Yours Truly,
Ashley

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's always a "super mom" in every group. You know damn well her kids are sitting in front of the tv right demanding an aqua pen.
OR..they are in a daze playing Wii or Xbox (nothing against those, but not those crazy killing games for age 18+) where in 5 years they'll know how to properly load a hand gun and aim at a target with 99% accuracy. WTF...keep your comments to yourself. She had to do what SHE had to do. OBVIOUSLY he's borderline genius and she's just jealous. LOVE YA ASH!! Off to pry my kids away from Spongebob to eat lunch...err dinner. What time is it??

Tara

clemsongirlandthecoach said...

I think "anon" is a b. What do you think about that?

I also don't think anon has any children. Or a soul.

Anonymous said...

Not so shy, you need to stay shy. You're an idiot, and we love Ashley,so step off.

Anonymous said...

First of all: BRAVO! BRAVO! (you can't see me Ashley, but I'm giving you a standing ovation!!!) You handled "not-so-shy" very well! I hate it when other moms try to tell you what is and isn't best for your own home and family. Kudos to you to try to work and be a stay at home mom at the same time. Thats like having 4 full-time jobs! At least you were trying to raise your own kid instead of sending him off to be raised by someone else all day long by your pursued a career and lunched with friends which is what "not-so-shy" is probably doing!

said...

Geez...what a beyotch. I hate it when people feel compelled to parent other people's children rather than their own.

Anonymous said...

Do people even proofread their responses anymore?? Clearly, this “Not So Shy” must think she, herself, is pretty darn smart since she’s obviously the reigning authority on raising smart children… so why is her response so incoherent? And if she’s so stinking clever, why didn’t she understand your post to begin with? I love to make fun of stupid people when they fall flat on their faces trying to flaunt their own brilliance! Doesn’t she know she’s on dangerous (sacred ground, even!) ground here? Doesn’t she realize Ashleys’ got a posse (I’m not even an “official member” but I just can’t resist weighing in on this Mensa candidate!)?? Let’s make more fun of her!

Anonymous said...

Ash-

You don't know me, and I don't know you... BUT... I simply adore your blog. The FIRST thing I do each day when I get home from work is (drop EVERYTHING at the door, trampling over children, bookbags, lunchboxes, EVERYTHING...) just to check to see if you have posted! (Now that I read that I think I may have a problem) Hello, my name is Amanda and I am an "Ashleyholic." Oh, well... I have told ALL of my friends at work all about you, the Jews, Mr. Ashley, your trip to Disney... etc... (Is this scaring you? I hope not... I promise I am NOT psycho!) and they have also become HUGE fans of YOU and your blog...

ALL THAT BEING SAID...

Anon "Know it All Mom of the Year All Other Moms Suck I Screwed Up My Own Kids So Hate Myself Which Is Why I Put Other People Down" needs to seriously get a life. If anything, your post about the nanny named Panasonic made me feel more normal and not so guilty about the TV that is watched in my house. I actually thought at first (please don't think I am stoopid) that you really had a real nanny named "Panasonic" -- I guess I had the whole "What Names Do You Hate" thread from BC on the brain.. sorry!)... then I realized it was another example of the incredible, awesome, wonderful sense of humor you have that makes me SUCH a huge fan of you and your blog.

Anyway, I saw SCREW HER and her monkey too (which is probably what her kid acts like rather than practically being a genius like Big Kid) and don't let her get you down... there are a lot more LOVERS than HATERS I know that for sure...

Sorry for writing a novella/ode to Ashley, but, well, it just HAD to be said.

Wait... one more thing... I noticed something just now... the first two and last two letters of ANonymUS spell the word "ANUS" which is exactly what she is... AN ASSHOLE!

Keep up the great blogging!

Kate said...

Geeeeeeeeeeesh if she thinks you are a bad mom, I'm really screwed if she reads my blog. You know, though, it might not be such a bad thing if she did report me...the oldest has been getting on my last nerve and if he keeps it up, he's going back in the cage and maybe, just MAYBE, I'll let him have bread and water. I did offer to have girlfriends parents adopt him tonight. **Back to trying to figure out how to screw up the other 2 and succeeding since the baby already knows how to work the remote and middle would rather be anywhere but here**

Unknown said...

Amanda--LMAO at too much to even list! That was a great comment, my friend. You know I love the ode to Ashley novella. Tell your work friends I said hi and thanks for spreading the Ashley word.

Kate--That kid needs a later curfew. No wonder he's on your last nerve, he's home every night at 11pm. He's a good kid, let him stay out 'til midnight. (Shaggy is so going to love me)

All of you girls are the best. I should thank Notsoshyanymore for some good Saturday night material, because I had nothin.

Jennifer said...

Christ, don't send her elsewhere. Not that I'm on your list but, still. I'd totally be sending Dora Christmas cards if I had her address because she saved me a million times. I'm a big fan of the TV. I could spend 30 minutes defending myself but who even cares.

Blog on with your bad ass and just know that there's a know-it-all in every crowd.

Anonymous said...

Hey, mine was the third post and I totally screwed it up! It was supposed to say "While you pursued your career and lunched with friends". And yes I didn't proof read cause I had a baby screaming in the background and I had to go before my 6 year old strangled him!

Julie {Angry Julie Monday} said...

I tend to ignore idiots like that. There were a ton of them at Angry Toddler's Gymboree classes when he was smaller.

Those are the same ones who are judging the working moms, etc. I've learned to ignore. It's pretty much female jealousy.

barefoot gardener said...

Good for you, Ash.

PaperCourt said...

Why do people feel the need to tell us how to parent? And then to be anonymous. What a coward!

See my post about parenting tips given by a homeless woman...
http://magnoliamama.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-encounter-with-billigerent-homeless.html

Rachel said...

I LOVE how you can take something stupid and not funny and make me laugh out loud! Okay, now how could anyone read about the Big Kid and not think he's way ahead of the developmental power curve?

You handled this very well...and made all of us laugh in the process.

Anonymous said...

I hope (s)he keeps commenting because I love your "under fire" responses, so eloquent, yet so f*ck hoff.

I need to borrow Big Kid to fix my desktop for DS, does he travel? ;)

Anonymous said...

Wow, I was just joking. I really had no intention of offending you or your family. I definitely gleaned from your blog that Big Kid is really smart, funny, inquisitive and has a loving and caring family. I am in no way a perfect parent nor did I mean to infer that. I certainly didn't expect to start some firestorm. I definitely won't be commenting anymore. I still love your blog. Sincerely shy again.

Deb said...

Well, at least she still loves you, imperfections and all. Isn't that what true love is all about?

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