So this afternoon I was taking a break from jam-making and kid-tending and nose-wiping, and I decided to read some reviews on some of the current movies and music. I checked out FOTF’s “plugged in“. As I came across the Miley Cyrus’ newest album cover, I was pretty shocked at what the “innocent” pop star has become.
Now, my girls like to think they are Miley Cyrus fans, just because their friends at school are. They haven’t even heard much of her music, but Hannah Montana was so popular a few months ago that they got sucked into the rage, to a certain extent. We have never allowed them to spend their money (or ours!) on paraphernalia that is a fad, but the odd thing here or there from Value Village was allowed into our house.
So back to the album cover. I called the girls over to see it, and I was watching their faces – very curious to see how they’d react. Take a look at it here. Both of their faces just fell. Their mouths dropped open, and I heard “That is horrible” and “I will never play another Hannah Montana computer game again” and “I can’t believe she would stand with her hand like that”.
They were appalled.
And I was happy.
I thought that maybe I’d have to talk about it and that maybe one of my girls (won’t say who!) would try and justify it and beg to buy it (I don’t put much past her these days). But no, their reaction was a mother’s reward 🙂
Of course it opened up a very teachable moment about who our role models are and the people that we trust and don’t trust.
I haven’t used this website very much, but it’s so nice to have someone who looks into this stuff for you. (The girls have also been hearing about Lady Gaga, who I knew nothing about, and after reading it I was shocked that kids in 1st and 3rd grade are listening to this garbage).
Anyway, then we proceeded to McDonald’s since the girls had been given gift cards there for part of their awards they received. (As I’m sitting there watching the families come and go, I’m finding myself hoping that they are all like us: rare patrons, just coming in for a last-day-of-school treat.)
Then we saw a family (parents and 2 boys) come in, both of the boys with their own iPod touch.
Wow. Just when I thought we had enough discussion for one day. I have nothing against my kids having gadgets, but really, do they need $200 a piece?
So, the question on my mind today is this:
How do you keep your kids in the world but not of the world?
Really, I want your responses.
I want my kids to know what’s out there, to not be naive about the things their friends are into. I want them to be up-to-date with the world, but not caught up in every trend that comes along.
Give me feedback!