Stupid ass "parents"

I'm all for letting your children have some choices, such as hairstyles, how they dress, what music they listen to, who their friends are. But really, as a parent you need to set limits on everything.

Here are some examples from my childhood.

1. I asked my mom for a Vanilla Ice tape (that right there shows you that I'm old as dirt! lol), so she got it for me. I felt like the coolest kid ever. Then she heard me listening to it like, a day after she got it for me... she heard the lyrics and she took it away from me right away. I seriously didn't get that damn thing back until I was 18 years old, and by that time I didn't even want it, obviously.

2. I was around 15 or 16, working at McDonalds... making my OWN money. I went to "The Wall" (lol) and I got the "Ruff Rydaz Ryde or Die Vol 1" with my OWN MONEY! My mom heard me listening to it and told me I had to return it the next day. I refused to return it, so she took it away from me.

3. In middle school, I was in my full-blown "hormonal, retarded pre-teen" phase. I was into the whole Marilyn Manson/grunge/punk thing. One day I heard about dying your hair with Kool-Aid and I decided I was going to dye a small section of my hair red. I went a few days being able to hide it from my mom (I believe I kept a hat on my head all the time at home). When she seen it, she threatened to shave my head completely bald (which she would have followed through on that threat) if I ever tried to dye my hair like that again.

4. When it was time for Back to School shopping, my mom had the final word on every piece of clothing I picked out, and she was quick to tell me if something looked slutty or trashy.

5. Computer time was always monitored by my mom. Our computer was in the dining room, and my mom usually sat less than 5 feet away while any of us were on the computer. She obviously didn't know everything we did on the internet, but she knew enough. She knew our AOL login name and the password. Also, she limited our computer time, and would lock the computer when we weren't supposed to be on it.

I know times have changed a lot since I was a kid, but there are still things you can do. Like... be nosey. Yeah, fuck all that noise about kids needing privacy. Yeah, they do, but to an extent. If they're living in your house, and being supported by you then all bets are off.

Also, find out what your kids are listening to/watching. Kids should not be listening to music talking about sex or violence. It's not cute seeing a child singing/dancing to sexual/violent music. It's disgusting.

Now, on to the subject of the internet. There are so many ways to monitor/control what websites your kid(s) goes to. If they're sneaking on the computer, PUT A FUCKING PASSWORD ON THE COMPUTER SO THEY CAN'T USE IT!!! You can also set up parental controls via your router. Only want little Suzie on Facebook, Youtube, ect between the hours of 5-6? That can be arranged if you mess with settings on your router. By the way, your kid should not even have a Facebook account unless they are actually old enough to have one. There is also programs to use to see what your kids are doing, like this one, and it's free!!!

Just stop being your kids friend and start being a PARENT. Be a positive role model to your child. TEACH BY EXAMPLE!!! It's really not that hard, just use COMMON SENSE. Ask yourself "How are my actions going to impact my kid(s)?"

That is all, enjoy! :)