Deep South Moms

Saying Bye to the 20's

Last week I had a birthday. It was a big one. As in, the big 3-0. I joked around the weeks leading up to my birthday and said things like, "I don't know how I feel about turning 30" and "Can I just say I'm 29 and 13 months instead?"

The thing is that I was being honest when I said I didn't know how I felt about it. I truly wasn't having a complete freak-out about it, but I also wasn't thrilled. I just knew I was now leaving my 20's and entering the 30's. And, that was what bothered me a bit. The fact that I could no longer say I was in my 20's. I was leaving behind an entire decade!

Everyone I talked to said the same things: "The 30's are the best" and "You'll see that the 30's are better than the 20's." While that may be true, my 20's weren't so bad either. I graduated college, got married, and had my baby girl - all in my 20's. Plus, there's the whole "I still feel young" thing. Don't laugh, but for some reason 30 is the official number in my head for leaving young and crossing over into old. I realize this doesn't make sense.

Miley Cyrus Lap Dance Not So Bad

I'm sure you've heard of the latest Miley Cyrus news regarding the so-called "lap dance" video. If you haven't seen the video, you can see it here. Things like "bad role model," "did they have sex," and "another bad move" are all being said about Miley Cyrus and the video.

When I first heard that there was a "lap dance" video out, my curiosity got the best of me and I looked it up. I was half-expecting Miley to be doing a mini strip-tease for some guy. Instead, I just saw a teenage girl dancing. And, my first reaction was not what you might expect. It was instead, "what's the big deal?" Now, you might not agree and that is fine. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. But, let me share why I think this is being blown out of proportion:

• She's 17...not 10. Actually, at the time the video was shot, she was 16.
• She's dancing at a club. This is not a music video for one of her songs or some other piece of promotional material. It was a private moment.
• Dancing like the one they are doing in the video is standard. At least nowadays - actually, it's been around for many many years. Heck, I did it when I was even younger than 16!
• Just because they're dancing close, doesn't mean they automatically had sex.
• Parents need to stop worrying about Miley Cyrus' "bad" moves. Instead they should just be sure their kids don't watch the video and/or use it as an opportunity to talk with them about it and whether or not it aligns with their family values.

Nurturing Fathers Do Exist - Or Is My Husband a Rare Gem?

My husband is a very attentive father - always has been since our daughter was born. He is known for making up silly songs and stories with our 4 year old. He's also not afraid to don a fancy feather boa and tiara - whether attending a tea party or just playing dress-up. He also takes good care of our daughter and I can always trust that if I'm away, she's in good hands.

Now, this may sound like nothing out of the ordinary to you. He's her father. Of course, he should be attentive and caring, right? While I agree, it seems to be something that surprises many friends and family members. My mother has often been told, "Your son-in-law is a really caring father, isn't he? So-and-so's husband doesn't play with their kids like that!" They are surprised to see a father doing, well, what a father is supposed to be doing - playing, talking, and interacting with his kid.

Apparently, not many men do this with their kids? Or perhaps, only the men in my immediate circle of close friends and family? Maybe it's just a cultural thing?

On the Fly Camping...at Home

Our 4 year old daughter has been wanting to go camping the last few weeks. For some reason or another she's got camping in her head and has brought it up quite a few times recently. She probably got it from TV or perhaps from her preschool - what with them learning about summer activities and such.

The problem? We're not exactly what you'd call a camping kind of family. I've only ever done it once in my life - not by choice - and the hosts had a nice RV in which I slept. I'm just not a get-intimate-with-earth kind of girl.

That said, I could see us parking a little trailer or mini-RV on some campgrounds and spending one (do I dare stay two?) night "camping." But, of course, we have no plans to buy a trailer/RV anytime soon. So, when our baby girl says she wants to go camping, the answer she gets is obviously no.