February, 2010

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Over the years, suicide seems to have become almost commonplace. No longer is it shocking or unheard of. Regardless of age, background, or socioeconomical status, suicide seems to be one of the things that can touch any family without warning. Death is always tragic. Even when we know it’s coming, there is nothing easy about losing a loved one. I can’t imagine how those who are left handle such a loss… senseless losses, I’m assuming, must leave even more of a trace of desperation and helplessness. Who is it this time? Marie Osmond and Brian Blosil’s son, Michael. According to the Huffington Post, the 18-year old leapt from his apartment building and took his own life yesterday.

Back in 2007, Marie and Brian Blosil divorced after having three children and adopting five others (including Michael) over the course of their two-decade long marriage. Marie’s father passed away in early November and soon after, Michael was admitted to rehab at the age of 16. This is just heartbreaking. I extend my deepest condolences to his family… My mind keeps going a million miles a minute just recalling all of the suicides in recent years.

What can we do as a society? Anything? I’m not sure… I don’t know that there is anything we can do to save someone who doesn’t feel their life is valuable enough to preserve. I just wish there were something – some way to prevent this from happening. It’s so hard to know what to even think, or say… All I can do is pray that anyone in my life who feels this way knows that I am here for them without judgment… without hesitation… without a doubt.

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{ Click here to watch the video }

There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing that yet another young girl has had her life completely changed forever by having sex too young, out of wedlock, and giving birth to a child. Oh, wait… there is something more heartbreaking – finding out that there is an 11 year old going through what used to be considered ‘teen parenthood’ … Only now, it has come to light that DNA results have proven that the father of her child is actually her mother’s husband, who has apparently been having sex with his step daughter sometimes as often as three times per week since she was SIX years old. Now, this entire situation has taken on a completely different dynamic. Now, it has reached a new level of heartbreaking.

My heart hurts. My head hurts. My blood is boiling! A few weeks ago, I wrote an article entitled Way Too Much Sex on my blog. Parents are often hesitant to talk to their children about sex – or anything related to it – until they feel their child is old enough. NEWSFLASH: By the time you *think* they are old enough, they’re probably *too* old for “The Talk” because they already know more than what you’re about to tell them. What’s more important than TEACHING your kids about sex itself is actually opening dialog about matters pertaining to it, such as molestation and inappropriate touching. Those are topics your child should NOT be fearful about discussing with you. By never bringing them up, you’re telling them that those aren’t topics you welcome from them… and chances are, if they are ever put in a horrible situation like this girl was, their perpetrator is going to be reaffirming that notion by convincing them that they will get into trouble themselves if they tell.

DO NOT LET SOMEONE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR CHILD because you chose to remain silent. This man was having sex with this little girl for five years. It took her getting pregnant and giving birth at 11 years of age for the truth to come out. Now, not only is she at risk physically from the hormones and other potential damage this pregnancy has exposed her little body to, but she is a mother. Emotionally… mentally… what does that mean in her life right now? What does it mean for her life in 10 years? What will that mean for her child? This man has potentially ruined several lives by his actions. I wonder if he cares about any of them except his own. That is highly doubtful. He’s a sick, twisted animal whose only concern is for his own desires… Unfortunately, there are people like him everywhere.

Parents, no one is going to protect your child like you will. I feel so bad for this little girl. She’s just a year older than my daughter who turned ten yesterday. I cannot imagine the anguish I would feel, knowing that someone had violated her trust in such a way… and knowing that she didn’t trust me enough to help her. Your children are counting on you to keep them safe.

Are you doing all you can to ensure that happens?

You can join the discussion by commenting below, or carrying your opinions over to our Discussion Forum thread covering this topic.

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I would like to say that I am a free spirited mother. I don’t harp too much on uneaten vegetables (although I will sneak them into a smoothie every now and then). I am relaxed when it comes to homework and often let my sons work at their own pace. I am not a stickler for utter tidiness (although I do prefer clean piles of junk *wink*). I don’t correct their grammar too often and believe in the saying that “boys will be boys.“

At the same time I want to preserve their youth; their innocence. I don’t want them to grow up too fast. I want my children to stay children as long as possible. I cherish the fact that they are still excited about Christmas, that they look forward to Easter Egg hunts and that they are anxious to celebrate the next themed holiday with me.

I find comfort in knowing that they continue to enjoy watching cartoons and that they believe that girls still possess cooties.

I am also very protective of watch they watch on television. I won’t let them watch anything sexualized and I try to steer clear of curse words as much as possible. I parental control the cable box and stand over them at all times when they are on the internet (on the rare occasion that I let them sign online to play a game).

I came across a video on YouTube that was completely shocking to me. A website, Nick Jr, that my children frequent on a regular basis is selling text link ads to adult sites. I’ll let you see for yourself:

Click here to watch the video and then read on.

Are you back? What are your feelings? Were you just as shocked as I was? I am still at an utter loss for words. Call me naive, but in this day and age when babies are having babies at 12 years old I feel as if I have the right to want to preserve my son’s innocence for as long as possible. I cherish the fact that they still want to hug and kiss me at night, and that they don’t get embarrassed to say they love me in public (although sometimes it proceeds a request for chocolate).

What I do not like is the fact that a children’s site is not more careful of the links that they sale, share or promote on their website.

What are your feelings?