Kids and Culture

So this afternoon I was taking a break from jam-making and kid-tending and nose-wiping, and I decided to read some reviews on some of the current movies and music. I checked out FOTF's "plugged in". As I came across the Miley Cyrus' newest album cover, I was pretty shocked at what the "innocent" pop star has become.

Now, my girls like to think they are Miley Cyrus fans, just because their friends at school are. They haven't even heard much of her music, but Hannah Montana was so popular a few months ago that they got sucked into the rage, to a certain extent. We have never allowed them to spend their money (or ours!) on paraphernalia that is a fad, but the odd thing here or there from Value Village was allowed into our house.

So back to the album cover. I called the girls over to see it, and I was watching their faces - very curious to see how they'd react. Take a look at it here. Both of their faces just fell. Their mouths dropped open, and I heard "That is horrible" and "I will never play another Hannah Montana computer game again" and "I can't believe she would stand with her hand like that".
They were appalled.

And I was happy.
I thought that maybe I'd have to talk about it and that maybe one of my girls (won't say who!) would try and justify it and beg to buy it (I don't put much past her these days). But no, their reaction was a mother's reward :-)

Of course it opened up a very teachable moment about who our role models are and the people that we trust and don't trust.

I haven't used this website very much, but it's so nice to have someone who looks into this stuff for you. (The girls have also been hearing about Lady Gaga, who I knew nothing about, and after reading it I was shocked that kids in 1st and 3rd grade are listening to this garbage).

Anyway, then we proceeded to McDonald's since the girls had been given gift cards there for part of their awards they received. (As I'm sitting there watching the families come and go, I'm finding myself hoping that they are all like us: rare patrons, just coming in for a last-day-of-school treat.)
Then we saw a family (parents and 2 boys) come in, both of the boys with their own iPod touch.
Wow. Just when I thought we had enough discussion for one day. I have nothing against my kids having gadgets, but really, do they need $200 a piece?

So, the question on my mind today is this:
How do you keep your kids in the world but not of the world?
Really, I want your responses.
I want my kids to know what's out there, to not be naive about the things their friends are into. I want them to be up-to-date with the world, but not caught up in every trend that comes along.
Give me feedback!

A Happy List

Things that make me happy...

~coffee with a friend
~misty mornings
~sunny mornings
~getting packed to go camping
~kisses from my kids
~Emilie working very hard to say, "I....wuff....ooo"
~whoopie pies ready to take camping
~Colossians 1:22 - I am holy and blameless in the presence of God!!!
~rainy nights
~watching my kids play soccer
~seeing my kids earn awards for: Citizenship (Olivia was chosen for her class), first place in a math contest (AC), and most badges earned in their clubs (both girls)
~my husband asking me out on a date
~fresh oregano and basil
~the ocean and foghorns at night
~the light at the end of the residency tunnel

I'm Alive...

...and well...

~we had a great visit with Kirk, Karla and Mayah. It was so good to get to know my littlest niece. She warmed up to us fairly quickly, except for her smile. :-) Every time I tried to make her laugh she would pinch in her smile and not let herself go. Even on the last day she was doing it, although I knew how to break it by then :-) What a sweetie.
Oh, we had fun with Karla and Kirk too! An amazing (free) lobster meal, a trip to PEI, an evening out without kids, lots of coffee, lots of visiting, lots of Bohnanza, lots of hanging out. Wonderful.

~I just enjoyed 4 days away, thanks to my awesome hubster. He blessed, approved and "sent" me on a trip to Arizona to visit my sister Kim (oh, Jose was there too!) :-) It was wonderful. The heat was NOT too much! I saw 45C, which I don't think I've ever seen in my life. I loved it. Mind you, we couldn't do too much outside, but the mornings and evenings were just beautiful.
We got pedicures (thanks to Mom!!!), ate real tacos, went hiking at 6am to beat the heat, went shopping, and just did a lot of talking!
It was so different not to have to plan around kids schedules and just do WHAT we wanted WHEN we wanted.

~Now it's back to real life...

~Digging out summer clothes and having the kids try things on
~Winding up school things
~Enjoying tending my little gardens and flower beds
~Looking forward to summer activities
~Excited about the first week of soccer (3 oldest kids)
~Waiting for beach weather
~Grilling everything I can get my hands on
~Exercising regularly after a looooong break
~Laundry until it's coming out my ears
~Thinking about homeschooling again...pros and cons
~Enjoying Paul Baloche's new album
~Enjoying Over the Rhine (thanks to K and K for introducing us)
~Studying algebra when my brain can handle it
~Trying to dig into the Word with a new depth...trying
~Looking forward to camping in 2 weeks with fun friends