Can We Stop (3/3/22)

Dear Parents,

Can we stop? Please.

Can we stop letting our first and second graders watch crap like Huggy Wuggy?

Can we stop letting them have unrestricted access to cellphones?

Seriously, I'm doing my best to protect my kids from all of the terrifying things in this world. I'm trying to keep them from seeing things that little minds shouldn't. I'm trying to let them have a childhood filled with imagination, dirt, and cardboard box inventions. I'm trying to make human beings that treat each other with kindness. Damn it, I'm trying.

But it takes them leaving my perfectly crafted bubble for that to all be erased. I'm doing research to find out who the hell Huggy Wuggy is and why he's in my house. I'm Googling Tic Toc videos to find out how my kids know signs or words because I know they didn't learn them from me.

My question is why? Why when my kids leave my house do I have an instantaneous worry about what they'll come home knowing? Why isn't that sacred bubble around all of these kids? Why are we just ok with handing them over to the internet to be raised?

It's a fight in my house weekly: "when can I get a phone?" from my seven and eight year olds. When you're about 87 is my answer. Why? Because your sister owning one ruined it for you.

Seriously, our oldest got one a year ago (at a little over 12 against my better judgment), and I've regretted every minute since. Absolutely there are guards and time limits on it. Absolutely I look through it. But absolutely, it's changed my kid. Also, what I spend time blocking and protecting, she can see when she goes to a friend's house. WHY???

It makes me crazy. It makes me sad. I just don't understand why. Why are we ok with this being the world that takes away our kids' innocence while we sit idly by? I'm NOT ok with it! I'm just not.

I want my kids to play outside and have skinned knees from running and falling. I want them to make ice cream trucks out of boxes. I want blanket forts in my living room, not flipping Huggy Wuggy in the closet.

Can we rise up? Can we take back our kids? Can we please stop letting the mindless world of the internet set the standards for how they think life should be? Can we please make it stop? Can we please?

Will you join me? Will you protect your kids and mine? We can do this if we do it together. We can protect their innocence if we do it together. Can we please?

Love,

A Mom Who Just Wants Her Kids To Be Ok

Chicago Trip (2/13/22)

This weekend we took the girls to Chicago for their belated Christmas present. A quick recap and reviews for future reference.

Friday: The girls were pumped to take the train. I always prefer travel by train as it's way less stress and provides the opportunity to move around some. Amtrak for the win. Though we couldn't purchase four children's tickets because the adult to child ratio didn't work in the Amtrak world...big families are apparently a thing of the past. Though they did make sure to accommodate ensuring that the six of us sat together.

We grabbed a quick bite at Burger by Gordon Ramsey. WAY overrated. The food was ok on a good day, there were no kids options, and the waiter forgot to order two of the kids' food. Thankfully, it was just a tide over until dinner.

The Embassy Suites on State provided a pool, a sweet breakfast, and adult happy hour. It's a great location, accommodations for a family of six, and reasonably priced for all that's included.

Swimming pre-dinner and after dinner was a highlight for the girls.

We had dinner at the Grand Lux. It's a favorite of ours and did not disappoint. Desserts there are amazing!

Saturday: We Ubered to Shedd Aquarium. The sea turtle, Beluga Whales, and stingrays were the crowd favorites.

We had a late lunch at JoJo's Shake Bar and sat in the outside tent. It was decorated in life sized Candy Land decor which I knew the kids would love! Everything is al la carte, but the food was good and the shakes were delicious! The decor gave great opportunities for photo ops! The waiter humored the girls by bringing Rob a treat for his birthday, so they get bonus points with them for that.

The girls suffered through the cold to humor me for a walk up to the river for a photo op. They were less than impressed with my antics, but I felt it was an essential part of the downtown experience.

A late afternoon swim and a little quiet time before we headed out to dinner. We opted for Weber's for convenience. The food was decent, but underwhelming for the price and flavor.

Sunday: We woke up early to swim as our after dinner swim was usurped by a massive crowd in the pool the night before.

We made a last minute decision to checkout WNDR Museum. By far, the best decision of the weekend! The immersive art experience was fantastic. The kids could touch and feel their way through the exhibits. Each one of them said it was their favorite thing we did this weekend. Ten out of ten recommend!

For lunch we hit the staple deep dish pizza of Lou Malnati's. Another slam dunk choice for the weekend!

We ventured up to Watertower Place and also grabbed the best popcorn at Garrett's before heading south.

The girls loved Chicago and actually begged not to leave. Proposed us relocating. And finally settled on a promise we'd go back again. I think it's safe to say they loved Chicago as much as we do!