Comments for MOMboTV

Comment on The Babywearing Backlash: Mothers vs. Motrin by Kim Allen

Kim Allen — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:09:29 +0000

Thank you for the very direct response to the Mortin ad. While the ad wasn’t “terrible”, it did come off as describing “babywearing” as a self-serving fashion practice, like wearing painful high heels.

As you stated, throughout most of the world babywearing is the norm. Only we, here, in so-called “progressive” societies choose to carry our children in a hard plastic “basket” (also known as a baby carrier). How bizarrre!

Starting when she was 2 months of age, my husband and I traveled the globe with our daughter. I wore a cloth sling, which was far more portable and more useful than a hard plastic “basket”. From the age of 2 months to 4 years, on a variety of journeys, we took our daughter–and her sling–along with us. Yes, a 4 year-old can be carried in a sling, much easier when those little legs are tired. And the best part is, we could travel places where a heeled stroller couldn’t go–sandy, marshy, swampy, hilly terrain. And I or my husband–whoever was wearing the sling–would have both hands free. Worn correctly, the sling is not at all uncomforatble.

The advertising agency who made the ad COULD have made it a very tasteful ad, one which sounded as if babywearing was advantgeous and innovative to Western Civ. But it didn’t.

Comment on The Babywearing Backlash: Mothers vs. Motrin by pinkrunningshoes

pinkrunningshoes — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:46:32 +0000

Actually Shannon, most of the people who responded to the Motrin ad, DO support other causes. Among the other causes I support… the local food pantry serving to end hunger here in Chicago, Glass Slipper Project, money to Heifer International, worked and donated to the Obama campaign, have previously been a Big Sister in Big Brothers Big Sisters, every year we donate money and toys and time to underprivileged kids in Chicago. We buy our food from organizations that are humane to both animals and humans, we support local farming efforts.

So uh…yeah, it’s pretty closed minded (and just plain WRONG) to think that the people who responded to the Motrin ad and acted against it have NOTHING ELSE that they support and fight for or against.

Oh and further…the continuation of the stereotype of moms as airheads who only follow trends and don’t do independent research IS dangerous…for a number of reasons, including undermining our authority when we act out against things like child abuse, school funding, adoption.

Comment on The Babywearing Backlash: Mothers vs. Motrin by Natasha Lynn Johnson

Natasha Lynn Johnson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:45:38 +0000

Are you serious? Whoever wrote this is an ignorant mother (or father), along with those who complained about it. Individuals are actually banning the product for this commercial which I find pointless and childish. Whats so bad about the commercial? The only way its horrible is if you thought way too much into it (and trust me, you did). Sure, the commercial sounded like it was from someone in ‘Desperate Housewives’ but you hear more offensive things everyday in PERSON. want to know an interesting fact? YOU are the cause for the torture and murder of thousands of animals, yet you decide that complaining or banning a product because of a commercial is OFFENSIVE? dont even say its not directly you its the ‘companies’, no its called supply and demand. I am suprised at how many ‘adults’ are stupid enough to think that way, you need to be educated. Im 15, and yet I know there are more important things to dwell about. How about the war in Iraq? Have you done ANYTHING to help either Iraqs children or our soldiers? (the soldiers who deserve it) Or how about Gay marriage? They tell us love is unconditional but there is so much hatred around in the U.S. GROW UP.
If you would like to mail me feel free Tasheeheartsyou@gmail.com

Comment on The Babywearing Backlash: Mothers vs. Motrin by Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:48:15 +0000

Are you kidding? Why don’t the people sending angry emails to Motrin redirect this aggression to causes that really need attention? Child abuse? School funding? Adoption? The problems are endless but instead somebody chooses to complain about a Motrin commercial that insults “babywearing?” I am actually more insulted by the term “babywearing” than anything else.

Comment on The Early Learner: Respecting Uniqueness by Luanne

Luanne — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:47:50 +0000

Came here from your Tweet!
You are awesome. I have homeschooled my oldest from 7th grade through High School. She is now a sophomore in college. My youngest is in the 9th grade and she has homeschooled since 2nd grade. I decided to homeschool because my oldest was having trouble. She just took longer to do her work. She was and is the godliest child I have ever met, with wisdom, compassion, and more common sense than most adults I know. Academics just weren’t her thing. She hated reading. My youngest has read The Hiding Place, Christy, The Canterbury Tales, Scarlet Letter, and Animal Farm, already this year. She loves to read. She soaks up information like a sponge. Thus the joy of homeschooling! They both get to be who God created them to be. They aren’t judged by their performance, their teachers, or their pears. They learn at their own pace and therefore learn the greatest lesson. Learning is fun and exciting! Mission accomplished. They will continue to learn and discover for the rest of their lives, in their own way, in their own time.
Just like Steph was able to be Steph, you are right to let Abigail be Abigail, and I was right to let my Tosh be Tosh.

Comment on The Early Learner: Respecting Uniqueness by Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:39:34 +0000

Good on you for following your child’s lead and using your own instincts. I agree that the “pressure” of academics can start extremely early and I’m all for trying to avoid that if possible.

But when the desire and the learning is coming FROM the child, then you’re doing what’s best.

I have friends who unschool their kids and I have done some reading on the subject–including a pioneer in the method whose son had no desire to learn to read (and didn’t) until he was nearly 14. After I got over my initial shock, I realized that he was perfectly fine and reading and studying on his own, in spite of his late start.

I’m sure the mom had to fight a lot of external pressure to force her son to acquire this skill but she stuck to her guns and produced a healthy, intelligent, inquisitive adult.

I myself learned to read before 3 but I’m not pressuring my own kids to learn this–my 4 1/2 year old learned his letters very early (19 months) and is constantly asking me spelling questions, which makes me suspect he’s starting to read on his own. I don’t ask him to read words for me and try not to put him on the spot. My daughter is 2 1/2 and doesn’t know her letters but that’s not even close to an age appropriate skill so I’m letting her move along at her own pace.

I think I benefited from being an early reader but I know parents who are sweating bullets because their children don’t know their letters in PRESCHOOL, let alone kindergarten. It’s too much societal pressure on parents to push this issue!

I applaud the trend towards child-led education because I do think it will result in less boredom and more passion about learning in children–which is really the point.

Comment on The Early Learner: Respecting Uniqueness by pinkrunningshoes

pinkrunningshoes — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:26:20 +0000

I think it is a really hard balance. My husband was taught to read at an early age, was in accelerated classes until there were other issues with the school. And by middle school he was burned out (his words, not mine). By the time he was a senior in high school he was over school and had no desire to continue on to college. I think you are absolutely correct that following your child’s interest and leads is very important, and I think you’ve learned and written about an important lesson…that following the lead of the child sometimes means stepping outside of what your parenting/teaching philosophy might be.

With all due respect to Steph above, our kids ARE bombarded very early in life with academics. And it looks like for you it worked out great, and it makes me happy you are enjoying your academic career. But my daughter is four and they are sending her home from pre-school with addition and subtraction homework (and I do not mean here are some apples I take away the apple, how many do I have, I mean a sheet of paper with 2 + 2 = ____). We refuse to do it because it is completely age INappropriate for a 4 year old who otherwise shows no interest in it.

And as always it boils down to theories as theories, philosophies as philosophies and children as individuals…

Comment on The Early Learner: Respecting Uniqueness by Donna

Donna — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:25:40 +0000

Wow- I love this post! We design our classrooms in such a similar manner. To push a child to read for the sake of reading does nothing for the child. There are different levels of reading. I home school. My kids have never been in school. We read A LOT and they pretend read back to me. I have never pushed our quizzed my kids. Now at age 5 1/2 my daughter has a love for learning and is writing sentences. Had I pushed her, I know she would not love to read. Every child is different. To push a child ( in a classroom setting ) to read just to pass state tests so the school can get better scores and more money is hurtful!

Comment on The Early Learner: Respecting Uniqueness by Erica M

Erica M — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:20:50 +0000

I learned to read at age 4. By 2nds grade I could read at a tenth grade level.

You are completely right to follow her lead. There is nothing for frustrating that to try and teach a child something she isn’t ready to learn, and nothing more rewarding than seeing her grasp every bit of information!

Steph, I see what you’re saying, but I think what the writer is trying to get across is that many are forcing kids to learn too early. I have 5 brothers, only one of which read before age 7. They just weren’t ready before then. My mom tried very hard with the oldest one and they both ended up frustrated. When they are ready, they catch on fast!

It’s not that we should purposefully hold them off till age 6-7, but if they need to be a child for a bit longer, then let them. Sometimes their minds just aren’t ready!

Congrats on the home schooling! I was home schooled from age 4 (when I started to read on my own) through graduation. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Comment on The Early Learner: Respecting Uniqueness by KPG

KPG — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:20:09 +0000

Steph -I don’t think that’s exactly what she meant. You’re in college. As a MOTHER, I completely understand what she is saying. We have a tendency in this society to overstimulate our children. To push our children into academics, sports, and even adulthood before they are developmentally ready. As the OP indicated, she let her daughter take the lead and followed. She didn’t deny her an education. She didn’t deny her obviously gifted child the academic stimulus she obviously is craving and ready for. She was expressing her caution at not being a pushy mom. That’s all. I for one applaud her. My 3 year old knows some letters/phonics, but really doesn’t show interest in reading at this point. Instead of being a competitive mom and pushing her to learn things she’s not ready for, I let her experience preschool and learn what it is that she is ready for. I don’t believe she’ll be academically disadvantaged. I believe that she is not developmentally ready for that yet. And that’s fine. Also - there are plenty of talented and gifted children who actually appear behind. So Steph, I applaud your passion and your accomplishments.. but really, I think she was emphasizing that she was in tuned to what her daughter needed and was cautious to not push her into something she wasn’t ready for.