Parenting Teens Through Controversial Issues
It seems like one of our sister sites is often faced with the topic of breastfeeding in public and the controversy that surrounds it in many cases. Most recently, the discussion of Why Social Networking Sites Don’t Like Breastfeeding.
I only have a few thoughts on this topic - while I do understand BOTH sides, seriously I do. My thoughts are:
There are a LOT of sick twisted F’s in the world who fall on the side of perversion. I always had the fear that I was set in their scopes and didn’t want my children to become a part of their twisted fantasies that might, at any moment, turn to the stresser that set them off.
Having twins and being the single mother of twins, I WISH I’d had that time to bond with my children in such a way. Cherish the experience, it’s an intimate bond between parent and child. Enjoy it privately - it’s one rare opportunity you’ll have to bond on such a level with your child. Looking back on feeding time spent with my kids, it was more like an assembly line racing to meet month end quotas then a special time spent between mother and child.
And Lastly –
Being the mother of four teens - three of them boys, I keep close watch on what my kids are viewing on the net. Firefox is great for that by the way!
What they’re looking at are the NATURAL and LEGAL photos - somehow that makes it “ok” in their minds. I agree one commenter on Why Don’t Social Networking Sites Like Breastfeeding?, it’s great if you can breastfeed your child, enjoy it, but as the parent of three teens, please refrain from posting the photos on sites where many of our teens are hanging out. In the overall big scheme of things, there are so few places the kids can go online - and hardly any social networking sites period.
It’s difficult enough to deal with the raging hormones the way it is. No matter how many times I try to stress to them it’s natural and for feeding purposes, to them it’s still a big ole titty that they’re going to drool over and I’m constantly seeing deleted emails from other teens - “Dude check these boobies out“
That’s what’s becoming of the pictures, they’re not making a statement to the people they should be, they’re becoming a playground for teen boys who have yet to learn what to do about the changes their bodies are experiencing.
I’m not one of those people who never breastfed and am now feeling guilty - I did the best I could for preemies and followed doctors orders to the letter! What I am, is a frustrated parent who feels I spend a large part of time policing my kids activity online, because no place is safe anymore and around every turn is another cause to be explained, another family discussion that must take place, another restriction that must be enforced and frankly, I’m getting very tired of it.
Modesty isn’t always as bad thing!
Lastly, to the mothers that TRY to remain modest in public and who don’t post their photos all over social networking sites, this message is NOT for you. You’re doing your part and I commend you for it.
Tags: facebook, live journal, social networking, raising teens, parenting teens, breastfeeding, parenting controversy
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POSTED IN: Parenting
1 opinion for Parenting Teens Through Controversial Issues
john
Jul 7, 2008 at 9:20 am
I think if you are truly open with your children and learn them about bad websites, they wont be so tempted to view them.
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