More Pinterest Peeves

It's sad when all I write about is Pinterest...

I can't really blame Pinterest, it is the people who promote various pins that are partially to blame, but mostly it's the blogosphere that is the problem. Who are these people anyway?  I promise, despite the fancy photos, perfect crafts, and clever titles, they are not much different than you and me.  I am in my pink bathrobe surrounded by toys with a white chinchilla plotting my demise from his cage behind me, just like everyone else.

I remember being a teenager reading the magazines, taking the quizzes, and coming to the realization that I had just as much expertise in the "Is he digging you or your best friend?" arena as the people who wrote that crap.  But did that stop me from finding out "What's your party personality?" Nope.  The authors knew all the burning insecurities on every young girl's mind and provided a way to appease/feed them.

Pinterest is the Seventeen of the modern housewife. Everywhere you look there is a solution to your problems. 

Want to lose weight and look like you have the fakest boobs on the planet? Drink ice water!
Don't know how to discipline? Follow this simple flowchart!
At a loss for words for your daughter? Here are 10 things you have to say or she'll never amount to anything!
What about your son? Keep him "good" by following these three tips!
Your house is a mess? Put a cute basket under the sink!
Laundry overwhelming? Follow this simple (ground breaking) plan: sort, wash, fold, put away
What to get more done during the day? Sleep more, plan ahead, make a list, and stay focused!

Here's my favorite tip (feel free to pin it): Want to be more productive? Get off Pinterest!


Chickie in her skinny jeans that made her walk like Kramer in that one Seinfeld episode. 

My favorite is the pin that says "Organize your entire life" and when you actually read the post it's a joke. Soooo many people have repinned it thinking she has the answers to all your problems. Click through before you pin people!

I could write this stuff! It's all fluff, but we feel inadequate so we read it.

On a serious note...

In the wake of the Connecticut tragedy I have vacillated between deep sorrow and sadness, confusion, anger, and despair.  Friday morning I dropped the kids off at school in the carpool lane and realized Kitty forgot her coat, so I pulled along the side of her and tossed her coat out the window.  I said good-bye and as I pulled away I thought, "I can't believe I just drive away without watching her go into the building, I must really trust the school."  I am not kidding, I had that thought. I remembered that thought all that day as I watched the news and wished that I had stopped and at least watched her go in.

As much as I need the break that school provides, I often stop throughout my day and miss my kids.  It makes me a little sad to think that I can't observe or see what they are doing at any given moment in the day.  I think that is what's most painful, those poor parents weren't there to protect or comfort their children. 

We haven't discussed the news with our kids.  Jared and I decided to keep the news off and let the first few days of media overload pass without our participation.  I am sure they will hear about it through the grapevine and I plan to bring it up when it dies down a bit.

Portrait of a boy, 11/2012 by John

Here's the thing though, I just read this and realized that I am also coming to grips with my perspective from the other side of the issue. As the parent of a child with mental illness (there, I said it) I don't know what needs to change. While my experience is not as serious as the author's, when you live with it everyday the line between normal and abnormal becomes fuzzy. One thing I know, parents love their children.