The 6th Grade Graduation of Ewrokka*

This is my Beloved Son, of whom I am very very proud…

*ewrokka is his online name, his tag.

Soapboxes: Wednesday’s What’s Worse VIII

So a couple of Aussies are representing us well overseas, I see in the news today (please note my sarcastic tone of voice as I write).  Two Australians have been locked up in San Diego’s Central Jail since their arrest last Thursday. Police accuse the sailors of hitting and kicking their alleged victim, breaking his eye socket, after an argument at a party in San Diego about whether Australian Rules Football was better than American football.

?!

Certainly sounds worth beating someone nearly to death over! (Please note: I’m still being sarcastic!) 

On another note, every Australian both overseas and at home, is well aware we had a Federal Election last weekend with a very interesting change of government as a result. Now for those of you afraid that I will launch into a political rant, that brings me to today’s subject for Wednesday’s What’s Worse: those annoying people who get so worked up over a subject that they are completely obnoxious or worse!

So for you, which of these people would be worse to be cornered by at a party?

• Someone obsessed by sport
• Someone obsessed by politics
• Someone obsessed with their own accomplishments, genius or looks

Dad Labs: Diaper Pails

Not for the faint at heart. New parents will appreciate this one. (Enjoy this, Molks)

From Dad Labs.

Boring!

Amanda (aka Mad Cow) was recently lamenting Long Weekends, particularly the familiar child’s litany of “I’m Bored!”.

As I told her, in my humble opinion, even if you were the fifth Wiggle or Krusty the Klown, you’d still get kids telling you “I’m bored”.

When you hear this litany I hope you don’t take it personally, parents. In my opinion, it’s not a comment about us (at least most of the time, anyway), rather it’s about the child’s ability to keep themselves entertained … and about their making the choice to not be bored.

(Often, I’m told, it’s a sign of intelligence. That makes me feel a lot better and I hope it makes Amanda feel better too!)

Since he was 3, I’ve told Oldest Son he’s responsible for being bored and if he doesn’t like it, then he has the power to change it.

This has worked well with Youngest Son (who’ll get bored with being bored – and go invent a game about Firemen rescuing Batman and killing the pirates and aliens who started the fire).

But despite my best efforts, it did not work with Oldest Son who – at 11 -still sits around  the house during holidays singing choruses of the Boredom Song to annoy any who will listen.

You know the Boredom Song. It goes a little something like this (and you have to imagine a techno beat playing behind it):

It’s Boring

Boring

Boring

Boring

Borrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-inggggggggggggggg…

I’m bored…

Bored

Bored

Bored

I’m bored …. because it’s booorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiinggggggggg!

Actually, if you know this song, you’ll also know you don’t need to imagine the doof-doof of a techno beat behind it, as the prepubescent singer usually accompanies themselves with banging a staccato rhythm on a pot, a bench or their sister’s head.

Sigh. Summer holidays are fast approaching in Australia…

… and I hate the Boredom Song…

How do you truly wise parents help your kids overcome boredom? Give the rest of us some tips, will ya?

Wednesday’s What’s Yours: Theme Songs

I’ve decided to mix up the Wednesdays a little and change the format today. Rather than What’s Worse, let’s be positive and ask a different kind of question…

April Groves recently asked a great question: What’s Your Theme Song?

So I’m re-asking it.

I’ve decided mine is John Mayer’s “Bigger than My Body Now“.

What’s Yours?

Deadbeat Superhero Dads

Funny video (for comic book geeks) with a real sting in the tail … but you’ll probably have to be a comic book officianado to get some of the references.

Wedensday’s What’s Worse VII

Which do you despise more?

• Flat Coke
• Warm beer
• Cold coffee
• Any form of herbal tea

DIDS – bouncing back

Though life is undoubtedly tough for mothers (and lets face it, for most human beings), I’ve written before about how hard life can be specifically for some Dads. And some time ago I wrote about the fantastic work that Dads in Distress do in Australia (as well as about how difficult it is to keep the organisation running). If you can do anything to support them, please do so.

Here’s their latest press release…

MEDIA RELEASE 07/11/07  

Dads in Distress Inc. commends the ALP (Australian Labour Party) on it?s announcement to develop a National Men’s Health Policy:

http://www.labor.com.au/media/1107/mshea050.php    DIDS has advocated for a National Men’s Health Policy for over eight years, and will continue to support and lobby whichever government is in power to bring such a policy to fruition. DIDS sees this as an essential step toward improving the health of Australian males.  In particular, DIDS advocates on behalf of men who have or are going through the trauma of family and relationship breakdown, divorce or separation, for improvement in services which address the psychological and emotional needs of men.   External factors such as: 
1. the practice and legislation of Family Law, 
2. the Child Support system (despite recent improvements), 
3. poor legal, mental health, and social service provision for men going through relationship breakup, as well as 
4. the pressure of societal expectations on men’s behaviour  are important issues which need to be considered when addressing the health risks of men experiencing relationship breakdown.   Research supports the view that level emotional and psychological health is often reflected in an individual level of physical well being. A holistic approach, inclusive of physical, social, psychological and spiritual factors, needs to be adopted in response to improving Men’s Health in

Australia.   
Middle aged males are over-represented in suicide statistics, and research clearly indicates that men experiencing relationship breakdown are at a higher risk of considering and acting on suicidal thoughts, than the general population. We can provide better services and more adequately support men going through relationship breakdown. DIDS will proactively seek to address this issue in any policy on Men’s Health. 

 

Thought for the Day

“Don’t handicap your children by making their lives easy.”

Robert A Heinlein

Desperately Xeeking Xena

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01tzgUychBU[/youtube]

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