what the world thinks is normal....

[Patricia_K]

I was having a discussion with some friends about kids-shirts. So often when I see a nice shirt it has a text like "I love Rock and Roll" or "I'm a rebel". Well, for me that is not something I want my kids to wear so I don't buy it (even though it might be a real nice shirt). The ppl I spoke with really didn't understand that. Come on.....is their reaction.

From that I was thinking, can you help me make a short list of things that 'the world thinks of it's normal but when you think more you - as a christian - see that it is not normal'. Going to ps for example is the 'norm' here, ppl don't even think about 'is school normal?'.
Or when I hear ppl talk about nursing / bottle feeding you hear that bottle feeding is the norm (standard) and not nursing (while I think nursing should be the standard). you see it in sentences like 'mothermilk is better for your child' In that sentence formula is the standard and mothermilk is better than the standard. In my view we should say 'formula is worse'.
Know what I mean?

Could you help me think about these things??
I would love to grow myself in these things and see things more Gods way ;-)

[Actressdancer]

While I understand what you are saying and asking, I'm not sure if I'm giving an answer you are looking for (I know, I know, that doesn't make sense....lol). I'll give it a go, anyhow.

I've noticed that the norm for a mom is to classify herself based on her job to mother status. We use terms like "Work at home mom" (WAHM), "Stay at home mom" (SAHM), and "Work outside the home mom" (WOHM). These are the normal classifications when introducing ourselves, especially online.

When I tell people that I am a 'housewife', I usually get funny looks. (caution, I'm about to be SOOO not politically correct here.) Biblically speaking, I think I should classify myself in relation to my husband, rather than my children. Our marriage is more important than my relationship with my children, even if only slightly more so.

I am a wife first. I was a wife before my children and I will be a wife after they have left my care. If my relationship with my husband is not strong, I can't possibly adequately mother my children.

I am secure enough with my self esteem that I have no problems defining myself through my husband. Though I can't fully grasp how defining ones' self through their children is somehow better. For the record, I don't think that I "need" to define myself in relation to anyone, but if I'm going to, it should be my husband.

Anyhow. That's my two cents. Please put away your rotten tomatoes. This shirt is dry clean only.

[Patricia_K]

oh yes, this is exaclty what I mean...and what you say is so true!! the other day (really) I was on a dutch forum and someone asked to put the follwing in the right order:
I - husband - children - family - friends

My contribution was: God (smile, I added that one) - marriage in which husband first than me (not so much cause he is the man, cause in his 'list' I would be before him) - children - family&friends

I was the only one who put husband above children....

THANK YOU!

[Deena]

I agree with the shirts that have saying on them. There are some that we think are cute, but when we pull them out they have evil looking things or saying that I don't feel are appropriate!

I agree, too, Amie with identifying myself with my husband. That, to me, is the way God set it up when we were created, and I feel very comfortable with it!

We actually don't feel comfortable with the Harry Potter series of books. Witchcraft is not a part of God, and not something that's good to play around with! We are SOOOOOO different than most others because of that. But that's how we feel, so we don't get the books or see the movies, while many to most people we know do.

Now you can put away your rotten tomatoes, cuz I'm going to get on my dry clean only clothes!

[MonkeyMamma]

Well I suppose I am a bit different because I do allow some shirts like that but it depends on what they say. Samantha and her friend have matching shirts that say "Caution: Severe Mood Swings Possible" with little hearts and smily faces on it. Now I do not allow those stupid bunny shirts that say rude things. I forget what they are called. I take it on a case by case basis.

I would put God first, then husband, children, friends and then last would be extended family. Some of my friends are closer than family.

I guess I would add that some people think shows like Family Guy and American Dad are funny. I think they are crude, crass, tacky and totally not going to be viewed in my home. Also vulgar music, or racial slurs. I HATE that and it isn't okay with me at all.

I do believe nursing is best. Although I didn't nurse Grace because I was going to college and she was being kept by her grandma during the day. I think staying home with your children and being a helper to your husband is best. Keeping a clean home, cooking nutritious meals, raising your own kids is way better than two parents working two fulltime jobs while kids are in daycare until 6pm. But that seems to be the norm and those of us who stay home are often considered lazy.

[kbabe1968]

It's normal to:

Allow the world to raise your children without batting an eyelash.

To allow a 4 year old to dress sexy AND encourage it.

To say that being beautiful is better than being smart.

Oh I could go on but I'm just getting angry!

The world is NOT NORMAL!!!!

CHEERING those of us who go against the flow!

PS ActressDancer - LOVED your reply regarding how to classify yourself! I'm going to start calling myself a Housewife and Mother! LOL

[MonkeyMamma]

I know Krista thinking of those things kinda makes me mad too! It makes me mad that we are the ones who are thought of as strange. I especially don't like it when people put their kids in daycare all dang day and then think we are strange for hs'ing.

[sloan127]

I know this is a little off topic but my boys came home from their public high school on Friday and told us there is a new rule at their school. No flags of any type, including the US flag, on clothes, cars or jewelry, no religious symbols or clothing, including my kids youth groups tees and hoodies which they adore and wore all last winter. I was just floored when they told me this. I asked why and it seems a kid came in with a shirt with a Rebel flag on it. The shirt said "100% cotton and your mama picked it". I was speechless. I don't know where this will end but I expect it to get worse before it is over. The ones with the Rebel flags say they are all going to bring/wear them to school tomorrow. I would take mine out of school but they are seniors and want to finish at their school. We will see what happens tomorrow. Please pray for a peaceful solution.

[Deena]

Yipes Beth! I will be praying for your boys and their school and for a positive outcome!

[MonkeyMamma]

Oh goodness I certianly will be praying for your son.