Call Mills Lane...and DCFS!

I have always been proud of the way I've been raising my children: parent first, friend second. Here, in this video clip, I see exactly why it is that I should continue to do it and be patting myself on the back, no matter how many nay-sayers I encounter in a day.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2008/10/17/pn.mother.daughter.brawl.cnn

This Mother-of-the-Year has decided that it was a stellar idea to not only take her 12yo daughter to a fight with another girl at a public park, but to also GET INVOLVED IN IT HERSELF. The mom (and I use the term very loosely here) is now facing charges for dragging the other girl by the hair and striking her across the face. This is a clip that's not to be missed.

As a young mother myself, I'm sure a large portion of the population will pull out that card to play, and it disgusts me. Not every young mother is as mentally ill as this one, and not every young mother makes the stupid decision to abuse not only her own child, but someone else's. Yes, I said "abuse." She's abusing her own child by bringing her up to condone violence, to act and react violently, and it's wrong. Obviously, the woman's got some serious issues herself to do this sort of thing. And to publicly strike another person's child like that?! OMG.

Every single adult that witnessed that should be held accountable as well, IMO. There's no reason they should have let those girls carry on like that, nor should they have allowed that woman to injure a child and calmly walk away from the scene. When are people going to start standing up for what is right?!?!?! I will continue to teach my kids that it doesn't matter how people look at you, or what they may say about you behind your back, but it is up to your own moral compass to guide you in situations like this and to stand up and do the decent and honorable thing to do. Parents, we're not talking about running into burning buildings here! You want your child to be the one who stands by when his/her best friend is being bullied? Or worse yet, to be the bully themselves? Of course not. Then teach them that this sort of behavior is unacceptable. Feel free to show them this video, and discuss their thoughts on it. Ask them what they'd do in that situation, and how they feel about a parent who acts like that. I know what my own kids will say when I show it to them...

The DIVA: "OMG! I'd be SOOOOO embarassed if my mom was at a fight I was in, let alone actually IN IT! Mom, you're never driving me to a fight. Ever."

(Me: "Um, not exactly what I was going for, but you're right...I'll never be driving you to a fight.")

The Big Man: Why would somebody's mom take them to a fight? Wouldn't they get in trouble for fighting?

(Me: "Yes, they should be getting in trouble. You don't need to resort to fighting and violence to resolve your issues.)

The Little Man: Fighting is naughty. They go to their rooms!

(Me: That's right, Little Man! They're being very naughty. The mommy needs to go to her room too.)

Being open with ALL of my kids, on a level they can understand, has been very helpful for me. It's our "friendship" connection that many parents feel they must have. I'm open and honest with them, about anything they want to ask me about, but I draw lines on their behaviors and my willingness to allow certain privileges at certain ages. No-holds-barred Muy Thai is saved for the over-21 crowd, and even then, only if you've been formally trained in Thailand.