Mind Your Bee's Wax

In the almost 14 months that I have been a parent I have learned a lot about people in general.  By nature, I am a serious people watcher.  In college, I took a Sociology course and when I learned that it was the study of people I was determined that I was going to major in that and make a career out of it.  Of course, there really isn't a job where you just study people all day and get paid so I gave up on that.  Now that I am staying home with my son, I have a lot more time to people watch then I did when I was sitting in a cube with no windows. 

Once you have a baby people think they can just talk to you about whatever, which really doesn't happen when you fly solo.  This phenominon also happens when you are pregnant.  I am a pretty small person generally speaking and I was also a small pregnant person.  That did not stop family members, co-workers or strangers from commenting on my size or weight though.  Never would you go up to a woman and say, "Wow you're really spreading out, huh?" or "You look better now that your face is so much fuller and rounder."  However, that does not stop people from saying things like that to pregnant women.  And in case you were wondering, those were actual things that people said to me.

The same is true when you are a parent.  For some reason everyone and their brother, including people without kids, feel like they can do better than you.  It is just a constant barrage of unsolicited advice and usually it is done indirectly.  I was on line at a store once while I was pregnant and the woman in front of me had a baby in a stroller.  Another woman with a little boy that was about 5 said to the new mom, "Your baby is adorable enjoy this time...before they can talk back."  Both the women shared a laugh.  Then another woman turned around and said, "I would hope that he isn't talking back to you because he is far too young for that sort of behavior."  I remember thinking, "jeez this nut has some nerve."  I soon realized that this is common practice.

Now I am not saying that I don't have opinions about what other people do with their kids.  However, I keep them to myself and then tell my husband and sister like a normal person.  I mean, unless someone is physically abusing a child or comes out and directly asks your opinion, just keep it to yourself.  Obviously, there are a ton of parenting styles and different options for raising children.  Some of the common debatables... Nursing vs Formula, Crib vs co-sleep, Cry-it-out or don't, vaccinate or don't, stay at home vs working...these are just a few of the heavy hitters. Keep in mind, each of those categories can be divided up into even more opinions.  My take on it is this: it is really hard when you become a parent.  It is a change of life that nothing can prepare you for, not reading books or research or baby-sitting or anything.  So whatever someone does that works for them and their family is the right option for them and everyone else should butt out.

People that have children should just remember how they felt when someone said things to them and people that don't have children...just wait.  It is so easy to say what you will or won't do when you become a parent but it is totally different when it happens.  I want to issue a formal apology to my sister for all the times I said things to her before I had children.  I always knew that she was doing a good job but I still made comments that I shouldn't have.  Funny thing is, pretty much everything that I ever said she shouldn't do...I do now.

Braggers, Designers and GMen

I decided on a whim that I would start a blog.  At first I thought, "I should start a diary."  Then I realized that it is 2012 not 1992 and a blog would be more "adult."  So here I am writing my first post.  Not sure if anyone will ever read this but I felt like writing it so here it goes.

I assume the first post should be an intro of sorts but I would rather you get to know me over time.  I just don't feel like writing my whole life story in one sitting, it is too overwhelming.  Instead, I am just going to write about what is on my mind currently and that is Facebook, Project Runway Allstars and football.

I was on FB the other day just looking through the posts on my "newsfeed" and I noticed that it has gotten really braggy.  It was like almost every post was someone rubbing something in my face.  I don't know if people are doing it on purpose or what but it's really annoying.  I don't mind shout outs to or for other "friends."  "Congrats to so and so on whatever," or "Can't wait to see what's her face when we go where ever."  What annoys me is, "I hope it snows so I can get stuck inside with the BEST family ever!"  Really?  That isn't a real post by the way but you get the idea.  So obnoxious.

Onto Project Runway Allstars... I really love Project Runway and have watched every season.  I made the move from Brave to Lifetime.  Before I go on, I need to explain that I LOVE television.  My DVR is usually recording more than 1 show at any given time.  I don't understand why PR never advertises when the show is starting.  Every single season some will call me and say, "Did you know PR started??"  And I never do.

So like every other time, I had to catch up on a bunch of episodes and search for when the show is on.  But I was sooo excited that there was going to be an Allstar season.  I love when reality tv or any show does any kind of reunion or Allstar cast.  I get very involved in the shows that I watch and I hate when they end and you never see the people again.  What was shocking about PRAs though is that they get this great group of designers that you are interested in but they remove Heidi, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia (said in Heidi's accent) and Michael Kohrs???  Whaaaa Whaaat?? 

I will say when discussing the show, "Its stupid, I'm not watching it," but the truth is I will watch it, all of it.  It is stupid though.  The new host stinks and no one has the flare or humor of Tim Gunn.  I just really hope that the gang is back for the next real season. 

I am going to end the blog with a quick note about sports...I am not interested, at all.  I think it is boring.  I don't understand why people get so involved.  So because football is what is currently on that is what I am going to discuss.  I get embarrassed and uncomfortable when people scream and yell at the TV during a game.  That probably makes me the weird one but whatever, its true.  My husband is a Jets fan and a Rutgers fan so I have been to games and I enjoy the tailgating, half-time shows and people-watching but that is it.  I cannot wait for football season to end so that I don't have to see anymore FB statuses about teams and games and whatnot.  I cringe over all the silly names these teams get that people use so frequently..."big blue," "Gmen," etc.

I often say that I hope my son just likes TV and doesn't want to play sports.  I am kidding but I'm also kinda serious.  I don't want him to do nothing and be a complete couch potato but I really don't feel like dealing with obnoxious sports people and their kids.  Just sayin...