Raising a Man or an Imposter?

Nobody really wants to raise a coward, chauvinist or swindler, but we’re crankin’ them out in droves.

The Muscle Man:  Flexes his muscles and makes sure everyone knows how important he is.
The Magician:  Magically disappears when any real work needs to be done. 
The Caboose:  Has his nose permanently attached to his boss’ crack. 
The Coward:  Goes to church on Sunday, and then cheats on his wife Monday night.

How can I teach my son to be a man with integrity, honor and accountability when the world is littered with the opposite? 

The Article, Teaching teenage boys to respect women, reports, “In a world of raunchy music videos, sexually explicit video games, and (some) teenage girls growing up way faster than they should, it is very important to instill good values into your adolescent son.”

I agree.  But I think we can battle the bad influences.  Hell, I’m not saying I’m perfect or I have all the answers.  I just know the man I don’t want my son to be.

So here are some things I tell my son:

• Don’t be a snitch.
  School rules support the idea that it’s honorable to tattle; Tell the truth and save yourself. 
  I tell my son, “Only snitch if the person is in danger, if what they are doing might hurt themselves or someone else.”
• Be a Leader.
  Leaders don’t need followers; they just need an independent mind.
  I tell my son, “Take a look at someone you admire.  What makes them stand out? They don’t follow the crowd.  Remember, bossing other kids around doesn’t make you a leader.”
• Be Accountable.
  Every now and then I screw up.  And when I do, the last thing I want to do is tell my kids.  But I fight my intense need to be right and say, “Sorry kids, Mom’s not perfect.”
• Have Honor and Integrity.
  These can be challenging for a teen to grasp.  We watch movies that embody honor and integrity like: Scent of a Woman, Officer and a Gentlemen, Grand Torino and Witness.

How are you raising your future man?

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Please support me with your honesty.

Update on the book: 

CreateSpace just started formating the INSIDE of the book- So Excited! 
Due to be in print before this summer *big smile*

Calm Down. It's Not A Crack Pipe!

And the woman toting a designer bag and high-fashion sunglasses approaches me in the A&P parking lot. 

She snarls, “You really shouldn't let your kids sit on the roof of your car."

She’s acting like I’m sharing a crack pipe with them.  Obviously, I’m not a kid.  I don’t have a damn clue why sitting on the roof of the car is fun, but it is. 

"Lighten up. What’s the harm?"

Here are some other things I let my kids do:

• Jump off of the second floor balcony onto the couch
• Draw with soap crayons all over the windows
• Climb out their bedroom windows and sit on the roof
• Drink coffee
• Shoot my bird house with airsoft guns

But, more importantly, here are the things I don’t let my kids do

• Bully other kids
• Disrespect grownups
• Drink mountain dew, Monster, or Beer

I’ve seen lots of disrespectful little bullies in the schoolyard these days.  Maybe parents should reconsider what bad behavior is.

What do you let your little brats do?

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Please support me with your honesty.

Hello God. It’s me, Buffi.

And here it is... the cover proof. 

I was so thrilled to see the proof this morning!  I even printed it out and wrapped it around a Judy Blume book.  Now, I’m walking around the house with this jury-rigged version of my book.  I turn to the dishwasher and say, “Would you like me to sign your copy?”  That’s how insane this publishing process has made me!  Someone commit me.

Anyway, I need to approve this design or submit a change request.  Here’s my dilemma:  I think the subtitle and my name are hard to read.  What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by!

Please support me with your honesty.

CreateSpace gets an A!
I used CreateSpace for the cover design and I think they did a good job.  They got me the cover quickly and really listened to my needs.  I’m holding the final review of their services until the end.

I'm a Senior Driver (re-posted)

I was walking out of the bagel store yesterday and noticed a car parked crooked. The back end was all the way over the white line into another parking space. Don’t you HATE that?

I was secretly having a discussion with the driver saying things like:
“Did your five year old park the car for you?” and “Did you get hit over the head with a baseball bat today?”

But then it happened. I realized the parked car was mine! But here’s the really terrible part – it was not the first time this week I did that. What’s wrong with me?

Now I’m saying to myself:
“It’s only a matter of time.” and “You’re only as old as you act.”

This is how it all began. First I started peeing my pants every time I laughed, now I can’t park straight and before you know it I’ll be on line for the early-bird specials at the local Perkins.

And then one day, when I’m not paying attention, I'll run one of my kids over…

OK… don’t freak out – I’m in a parking lot here and my daughter is acting. We were laughing so hard I peed my pants - really!

Have you turned into a Senior Driver?

Thanks for stopping by.

Please support me with your honesty.