This week on Facebook...

Weljadraak

Have any gems you care to share that popped up in your News Feed?  Wish you could air your frustrations right under the caption but don't because you know how net-battling with the stupid will ultimately end with you cracking your skull open from too hard of a ::headdesk::?  Share your PIPs or [anonymous] statuses here!

 

Weljadraak

I really wish I could comment on this for a couple reasons. First, they are children! They are children with no support. Their background is most likely horrendous and they come to the US seeking shelter and safety. Secondly, how do you call yourself a Christian yet you're unwilling to help others who are vastly more unfortunate than you?

carawasa

So you're saying you have a Facebook...

Weljadraak

carawasa said:

So you're saying you have a Facebook...

Weljadraak

quartermisses said:

I have a friend who was adopting 2 orphans from Ukraine for the summer with the intention of adopting them if everything went well. They were with them for 2 weeks before she dumped them off on another host family because she couldn't deal with their "materialism."

dafuq does that mean? Like, how they need food, shelter and clothing?

carawasa

quartermisses said:

Weljadraak said:

quartermisses said:

I have a friend who was adopting 2 orphans from Ukraine for the summer with the intention of adopting them if everything went well. They were with them for 2 weeks before she dumped them off on another host family because she couldn't deal with their "materialism."

dafuq does that mean? Like, how they need food, shelter and clothing?

They wanted to go shopping and *shocker* get to keep their shampoo when she decided ti send them away. You know--kids who LITERALLY own nothing of their own.

Wow that's really really sad.

Weljadraak

Re: @quartermisses because this lack of formatting sucks trying to edit quote trees. I just can't get over what a shitty person she is. She hightails them across land and sea to jostle them around even more? She deserves a swift kick to the back of the knee followed promptly by a sharp elbow to the face.

Weljadraak

I know! @NRyan55‌ so gross. I think if the supporters of this read up on the conditions these children are coming from, they'd feel a little more empathy. The most obvious thing I wanted to point out was, "Those aren't even children." Her damned sources can't even get their pictures straight.

Weljadraak

dknight413 said:

One of my non-american friends just posted a story about why americans suck at parenting. I'm not angry. I think the article is interesting. But it's also very ironic. This is the same person who told me that I MUST read "xyz" parenting book, and I MUST put my child to bed at such and such a time, and I MUST NOT rock my child to sleep because so-and-so said it's bad. Bahaha. I still love her though. She means well. https://ideas.ted.com/2014/07/15/how-cultures-around-the-world-think-about-parenting/

That is interesting. I like TEDtalks so I'm always interested in what they have to say. My first thought reading it was "isn't this perpetuating there is a 'right' way to parent by condemning Americans are 'doing it wrong'?"

Ycu2013

This showed up on my news feed.

deedee1017

quartermisses said:

dknight413 said:

One of my non-american friends just posted a story about why americans suck at parenting. I'm not angry. I think the article is interesting. But it's also very ironic. This is the same person who told me that I MUST read "xyz" parenting book, and I MUST put my child to bed at such and such a time, and I MUST NOT rock my child to sleep because so-and-so said it's bad. Bahaha. I still love her though. She means well. https://ideas.ted.com/2014/07/15/how-cultures-around-the-world-think-about-parenting/

Interesting. I wonder how much of the difference between Americans and other parents (i.e. letting kids have more freedom outside the home) stems from the difference in the make-up of the landscape/cities/towns/etc.

I also wonder if the difference stems from America being a melting pot of cultures. If you're in another country, say Greece, you know that the majority (if not all) of the people follow the same cultural beliefs. Therefore, if you saw a child walking alone outside you didn't question the parents, you just kind of knew it was the norm. Also, I think it is wonderful that we are diverse country but those things that set us apart can also be the things that segregate us. We look at other cultures in our country and question how they do things, yet back in their own country it is the norm. We question things that are different. We believe our way is best.

deedee1017

dknight413 said:

@deedee1017‌ I think that's what the article was saying. Because America is such a melting pot of cultures American parents are exposed to so many different styles of parenting which can, ultimately, lead to confusion since many of the styles are conflicting.

I didn't mean that it leads to confusion. I meant more like it leads to judging and *gasp* mommy wars, etc. In other words, instead of us all helping each other we stick to what we believe in each of our homes and there is no "American way" per se. I suck at getting my point across.

Weljadraak

Ycu2013 said:

This showed up on my news feed.

I really can't stand when someone decides to post a picture of a stranger in some public shame attempt. What if it was you (the person) who came across their picture? I have a friend on FB who has posted a "selfie" but really it was to showcase the person behind her. Even more disgusting is the "likes" it got. There are unattractive people in the world. It is known. There is no need to publicly humiliate them.

Weljadraak

quartermisses said:

Can I just say: I found it REALLY interesting that one of those countries (can't remember now which--The Netherlands?) thinks you shouldn't teach your children to read before they go to school because, otherwise, they will be bored. That is something that has actually been bothering me. DD1 can recognize all of the letters and is starting to recognize certain words (i.e. Pete the Cat), but I really don't want to push her to be reading now for a variety of reasons. I didn't start reading (prolificantly) on my own until towards the end of Kindergarten. For several years now, I've felt more and more anxious about being pushed socially towards "making" her read before she gets there... But, why!? I just don't get it. And my feelings are getting jumbled.

I read something similar a long as time ago that was speculating the length of time we send children to school. It's not just kindergarten anymore - it's pre-k, preschool, "learning centers"...so much learning. The author's point was kids get bored with school and learning when they're older.

deedee1017

quartermisses said:

Can I just say: I found it REALLY interesting that one of those countries (can't remember now which--The Netherlands?) thinks you shouldn't teach your children to read before they go to school because, otherwise, they will be bored. That is something that has actually been bothering me. DD1 can recognize all of the letters and is starting to recognize certain words (i.e. Pete the Cat), but I really don't want to push her to be reading now for a variety of reasons. I didn't start reading (prolificantly) on my own until towards the end of Kindergarten. For several years now, I've felt more and more anxious about being pushed socially towards "making" her read before she gets there... But, why!? I just don't get it. And my feelings are getting jumbled.

Are you making her read? I've never really looked at it from that POV. I mean, I guess I see it now that you put it that way. I have felt guilty for not being able to get to reading EVERY night. I never thought of it that way. On the other hand, if you are going to spend time doing an activity with DD1 I guess it can't hurt for it to be something educational like reading.

TBH, before dd was born, in my head I had this idea that I was going to do everything I could do to make sure she liked books and wanted to read over anything else (dumb ftm). Now, dd has developed a personality of her own. She lights up when she sees a book, but she does the same when I take out a spatula or a ball. I think it's great to have studies and research that tells you what you should do, but if you're a good parent and you explore the world with your kid, whether it be through books or through a walk in the park, then your child will learn. To a baby, everything is new. Exploring all these new things is helping her to learn. I'm not saying she doesn't get anything out of her books, I'm sure she does, but I think the pressure put on parents to do these things can be a little much.

jennlin

adding to the conversation-- america isn't considered a melting pot anymore, but a salad bowl. especially based off this conversation. melting pot implies that you lose/mix with the other cultures here..salad bowl shows that sometimes things get squished together (like the avocado gets everywhere), but a lot of times, you/your culture is still in tact, and you reside peacefully with others that are different.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salad_bowl_(cultural_idea)

Weljadraak

comeongetdown said:

Someone posted this in a mom group I'm in

"As mothers and fathers I urge you to consider the enormity of this crisis aside from your opinions on immigration. 57,000 children--about 4000 times more than the number of children we in this group parent--57 Thousand children have crossed the Mexican border into the United States in the last YEAR.

Without an adult.

They are coming from three countries in Central America, including the one with the highest homicide rate in. the. world. They are not coming from Mexico. They are making their way through Mexico before the trip into the U.S. Even begins. They leave because if they stay they will likely die, be tortured, live in extreme poverty. They leave because their parents had to leave them there years ago to establish a safe landing place for their children. They leave because their parents died trying to create a safe home and they will die if they stay.

Can you imagine a life so scary and brutal that you would choose to leave your children on the chance you could scrape together something better for them? I can't. I try to all the time, it moves me to tears, but I don't know such enormous fear that I would send a seven year old alone across a desert where people in the land they seek vilify them and aim their guns.

Please think of ways to help and to hold compassion for these families in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. Please remember these families when you face immigrants and read about shelters turning away busses of mothers and babies because of angry protestors. How bad would it have to be for you to choose what they chose?

It's that bad."

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/15/us/questions-about-the-border-kids.html

TB is being weird so I don't know if the paragraphs or link will work... basically it made me very very sad for those poor kids and their families. I watched a video about a 7 year old girl traveling across the border BY HERSELF looking for her mom. I almost cried at my desk. I want to adopt her.

This is so brilliant.

tashad18

Not too much going on in my newsfeed. Yesterday there was the status with the "welfare bashing." Tons of comments about, "I have too much pride and self respect to ever use a Lonestar or WIC card" and the obvious "get a job" "they have iphones, and tattoos, etc.".

Ycu2013

Weljadraak said:

Ycu2013 said:

This showed up on my news feed.

I really can't stand when someone decides to post a picture of a stranger in some public shame attempt. What if it was you (the person) who came across their picture? I have a friend on FB who has posted a "selfie" but really it was to showcase the person behind her. Even more disgusting is the "likes" it got. There are unattractive people in the world. It is known. There is no need to publicly humiliate them.

Like I said...This showed up on my news feed. I do feel bad for he. You never know if they are suffering with a psychological problem or if they are desperate for some sort of attention.
I don't think that anyone in their right mind would go out looking like his and I also feel bad for her va-jay...cause mine would be screaming for help with a wedgie like that.

Weljadraak

tashad18 said:

Not too much going on in my newsfeed. Yesterday there was the status with the "welfare bashing." Tons of comments about, "I have too much pride and self respect to ever use a Lonestar or WIC card" and the obvious "get a job" "they have iphones, and tattoos, etc.".

Ugh, I have a couple of family who thinks this way. This is actually what the net-battle was about I've mentioned on here once or twice. The opponent came to degrading me personally in order to prove their point.
There was a recent story about a woman who *gasp* drives a [paid for] Mercedes but is on welfare. People are so judgmental without thinking. SOOOOO if I'm poor, what kind of car is acceptable to drive? What is the appropriate type of food I can buy and PLEASE let me know how horrible I must smell to deserve welfare?

Ycu2013

Weljadraak said:

tashad18 said:

Not too much going on in my newsfeed. Yesterday there was the status with the "welfare bashing." Tons of comments about, "I have too much pride and self respect to ever use a Lonestar or WIC card" and the obvious "get a job" "they have iphones, and tattoos, etc.".

Ugh, I have a couple of family who thinks this way. This is actually what the net-battle was about I've mentioned on here once or twice. The opponent came to degrading me personally in order to prove their point.


There was a recent story about a woman who *gasp* drives a [paid for] Mercedes but is on welfare. People are so judgmental without thinking. SOOOOO if I'm poor, what kind of car is acceptable to drive? What is the appropriate type of food I can buy and PLEASE let me know how horrible I must smell to deserve welfare?

So how did she afford the Mercedes?

#iknowrichpeoplethatstink

Weljadraak

@YCU2013 I know it did! My comment wasn't directed at you it was at the poster and taker (I assume) of the picture. Those types of pictures are common in social media (or so it seems). Even funny videos or Vines that caption "Fat girl falls"...OOK, but why does she have to be fat? YKWIM?

Weljadraak

@YCU2013 haha lots of tagging but I am not dealing with the quote tree edit on this format. Anyway, it's my understanding it was already paid off for and the current value of the car is only around $6000-$7000 so how does it make sense to sell a reliable car they are comfortable with to what? buy a used car for under the trade-in value? The family did have decent jobs, were surprised with twins, husband loses job - the whole 9 yards. The point is just looking at the fact she drives an old Mercedes doesn't show you the whole story.

carawasa

Weljadraak said:

@YCU2013 haha lots of tagging but I am not dealing with the quote tree edit on this format. Anyway, it's my understanding it was already paid off for and the current value of the car is only around $6000-$7000 so how does it make sense to sell a reliable car they are comfortable with to what? buy a used car for under the trade-in value? The family did have decent jobs, were surprised with twins, husband loses job - the whole 9 yards. The point is just looking at the fact she drives an old Mercedes doesn't show you the whole story.

Yes! Thank you. My thoughts exactly

Eta: IMO this is exactly why these programs are there. To help people, now we have in our minds what someone on public assistance "should" look act talk whatever, but now a family actually needs assistance but were judging them LOL. Like I've said before, you never know when you're going to need assistance yourself.

mancila60

Just saw this gem in my news feed. That's a sign on a local church.

sooner1981

quartermisses said:

Can I just say: I found it REALLY interesting that one of those countries (can't remember now which--The Netherlands?) thinks you shouldn't teach your children to read before they go to school because, otherwise, they will be bored.

That is something that has actually been bothering me. DD1 can recognize all of the letters and is starting to recognize certain words (i.e. Pete the Cat), but I really don't want to push her to be reading now for a variety of reasons. I didn't start reading (prolificantly) on my own until towards the end of Kindergarten. For several years now, I've felt more and more anxious about being pushed socially towards "making" her read before she gets there... But, why!? I just don't get it. And my feelings are getting jumbled.

I think it is something you shouldn't stress over. I learned to read well at age 3, and was reading basic chapter books in kindergarten. I was never bored--I actually thought reading was a way to escape the boredom of school. When we would go over something I already knew, I would just pull out a library book and happily read until we got to a new subject. I always enjoyed school/learning.

My younger brother painfully learned how to read in first grade. Never showed much interest until it became mandatory. He is a neurologist now and loves reading esoteric philosophy books for fun.

Teach your kids to read early if they express interest. Don't if they don't. At least in our family, two kids on wildly opposite ends of the reading spectrum both ended up doing great in school and loving education/learning.

Weljadraak

jgslr said:

I don't want to get into a net battle over this, but I will respectfully give the flip side of this coin. I live in "bordertown", TX the forefront of the immigration crisis. I feel badly for those children (and donated supplies to sacred heart to help), but it's a freaking nightmare here. Yes, that pic can be children, there are tons of teenagers (mustaches and all) among the littles. They keep the men/women separated for safety reasons. We have had scabies, chickenpox, and TB outbreaks/scares due to the influx here in the border. The stash houses they are kept in, like sardines, spread any sickness quickly. When people don't enter through the proper channels there is no way to control this. Drug lords are outright lying to these families telling them they will be allowed to stay legally once they enter, they lie and steal their life savings, and they rape, hold hostage, and kill them as they cross them over. Human trafficking has proven to be a profitable business for the mafias. Allowing them to stay will only further boost their business. Identity theft also goes hand & hand with lack of legal status and is a huge problem in our area. And lastly, our hard working federal border patrol agents are getting villianized by the media. They are honest, hardworking men (some even in my family) who are doing their job HUMANELY. They are respectful to the families, and only prosecute those with hard records, drug carriers, and the coyotes themselves. Agents have been killed in the line of duty and I feel like their being made out to be the "bad guys". As someone who is Latino, and living in the area of crisis, this issue is complex, multifaceted, and the real issues aren't delved into deeply enough by the media. Issuing temp work visas (like the brazero program) or helping central America curb their gang issues and promote business are better options perhaps. But just open the border and let them all stay isn't the answer either. I respect those who have a different viewpoint than mine, but I feel it's only fair both sides get represented here.

I totally get what you're saying. I whole-heartedly agree it is a "complex, multifaceted issue" that isn't being addressed properly (like so many social issues). I think on one hand, it's not right to keep them in harsh conditions "like sardines" and vulnerable to gang and drug warfare. On the other hand, it's not right to deport them (see @comeongetdown's contribution). I'd also like to mention I have no disrespect for the border patrol and in no way view them as "bad guys."

ETA forgot to add my issue was the attitude the pic in my OP and others like it portray.

Ajoyd

Weljadraak said:

I really wish I could comment on this for a couple reasons. First, they are children! They are children with no support. Their background is most likely horrendous and they come to the US seeking shelter and safety. Secondly, how do you call yourself a Christian yet you're unwilling to help others who are vastly more unfortunate than you?

I'm fairly certain I ran into this person in real life today. I was walking with DS in the park near our house and it was like "mumble mumble the democrats can take care of them grumble grumble Nancy Pelosi..."

Fuckin Missouri.

Gatorsgirl731

On the reading. I was another young reader. My dad read to me every night and I'm sure that helped. But one of the things that I know made a difference was I also saw him enjoying reading. When we moved away from him he would ask about what I was reading and tell me about his books. When I was 9 I decided I wanted to tackle War and Peace, we settled on Moby Dick. He ended up reading most of it to me over the summer though I'm suspicious of his editing. Even now when we talk on the phone the conversation always goes to books we are reading.
DS is not a pick up a book and sit inside and read type. But he wears out our monthly conservation magazine every month. And right now he is carrying around a 40page printout on the snakes of Missouri that has been stapled more than a dozen times, and he can tell you about any snake in it. But yet he always scores low on his state reading assessment tests. I don't like those tests.

vargasgurl

This popped up on my feed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwi7n_6wd7U

Weljadraak

I  love Jimmy Fallon.