Another Spears baby...

Gidget,
I just wanted to say that I'm proud of you for putting your children first. I think many people forget that women used to start having children and caring for families as young as 13 years old. There are many cultures that still do. Of course, a young age is not the ideal situation to have a child in, however, once something has happened maturity is shown by being proactive in doing what is necessary to create a good life for the child. Unfortunately, there are still many 20, 30 and 40 year old's that get pregnant that don't realize that. How is the woman that devotes enormous, unnecessary amounts of time to her job, just because she wants to feel fulfilled (not if it's necessary for preservation of life for family, i.e. working two jobs to make ends meet)any different from the younger woman that wants to go out and party. The quicker a woman (no matter what age) realizes that once she has children, they become one of her main responsibilites then the better her life and the life of the children will be. I think that parents should teach and encourage abstinence, responsibility, and acceptance and maturity with consequences if anything does happen. May not be popular opinion but I just wanted you to know that I refused to agree with some of the statements because I know there are those become a better person because of what they go through.
http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar02/flower02/lb/0/31/26/.png[/img][/url]
 
Lori & all,

I just want to clarify my response, so you don't think teen moms are being attacked here. I think most people are not referring to Jamie Lynn's pregnancy in isolation but the fact that both Spears girls seem to be so misguided. IA that kids make their own mistakes, sometimes regardless of how the parents tried to raise them, but I do believe the parents, in this case, shoulder much of the blame.

IMO, mom and dad were more interested in cashing in on the kids' Hollywood success than in emphasizing education or responsibility of any kind. These are kids who, it seems, have been brought up with a lot of freedom but not a whole lot of limits.

The girls may be financially successful, but that's about it. Britney, in particular, is completely lost and seems hell-bent on self-destruction. I feel bad for her children as you do, and I also wonder about the generation of girls who grew up wanting to be just like Britney. Thanks in part to her, sex appeal has been "fed" to younger and younger audiences. Her parents had not only the opportunity but an obligation at that point in her life to make responsible choices and steer her in a different direction. They chose to cash in instead.

So why then, does Lynn Spears feel qualified to impart any wisdom to other parents? As Joy Behar said on The View, "It's like Jeffrey Dahmer writing a book on food."

[font face="heather" font color=black size=+2]~Cathy[/font]

http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/stockingsmiley1.gif
 
Great posts, Christi and Cathy. You both make some very good points! Thanks for sharing!:)

Lori, I echo Cathy when I say PLEASE don't take this as a personal attack on teen moms! We are talking about a specific case of a girl who we all know darned well is NOT going to handle this situation the way it should be handled. You are a rare gem who made a mistake but took responsibility for it and did the right thing!:) I'd just personally hate to see the media make these young girls WANT to go out and get pregnant now that their "idol" has!:eek:
 
True. They are just sensationalizing the trashy aspect of Britney's family. Her little sister's pregnancy is probably a drop in the bucket when it comes to teen pregnancies. I have to say tho, as the Mom of a 17 year old, I would be horribly sad if my child were pregnant at that age. Did you read that the father may face statutory rape charges now because he's 19?
 
OK - NOW I'm irritated with Jamie Lynn's irresponsible behavior! Last night I was in the living room talking to my husband and I asked if he heard about Jamie Lynn Spears. My 7 year old daughter was in the room and immediately spoke up, "Jamie Lynn is Zoey. She's pregnant!" He and I just looked at each other with a WTF look on our faces. Apparently, this is the talk of the second grade.

I asked her what she thought about it, and she said, "good?" I told her it was not good because Jamie is too young to be a mother.

I understand that this happens. It could have happened to me when I was 17, but it didn't and as soon as I realized it could happen, I made sure it wouldn't. A girl like this, who is in the spotlight and, up to now, has been a positive role model for our daughters should have been more responsible. It's not difficult...go to your OB/GYN. I can't understand why you wouldn't.

I guess we mothers can look at it two different ways....we can be annoyed that she's allowed this to happen, and that now we have to explain to our daughters why it's not a good thing. Or, we could be glad that we have an opportunity to remember that we have to explain to our daughters why it's not a good thing. Ignorance is the enemy.
 
Christi, that was a great post. I am a teenage mom, and I am DEFINITELY better because of what I have gone through. Our children are DH and I's life and everything we do is to better their existence. I can't tell you how hard it is to read some of these comments knowing that they are the exact same things that I heard from "mature" and "responsible" adults and other kids at school - kids whom, btw, were also having sex - and some even getting pregnant but having abortions instead. Adults with kids who put their careers first. Talk about hypocricy. And there is nothing like feeling the whole world is judging you and have already made up their mind what you are like. That being said, there were some wonderful teachers and some of my mom's friends who were so generous and loving to me during that time who helped me out trememdously! I hope that Jamie Lynn can find people like that to offer advice and support.

I think another thing here that none of us could possibly understand is what it is like to be a celebrity... you are constantly getting things thrown at you - drugs, sex, cars, money, anything you could want is a constant temptation in excess. There are absolutely no limits or boundaries when you are "it". More than any parent could, this is what messes up young stars. No child could ever be prepared for the allure and recklessness that is Hollywood - heck, how many adults get through it and remain who they were before they entered the business?

Sorry for the long post, but the reaction to her announcement really struck a cord with me, not just on this board but everywhere. Everyone seems so quick to judge without ever having to spend a second in anyone's shoes but their own.

Missy
 
I think the thing that people are irritated with this situation is that Jamie Lynn is an icon to very young girls....like Donna's 2nd grade daughter. If she did not have that show on Nick that attracted such a young age group, the whole pregnancy situation would be much easier for people to accept.

Sara
 
My question is, "Why do parents allow these "entertainers" to be idolized by thier children?". We've become a society of idolizers, and it' not been for the good.
 
>My question is, "Why do parents allow these "entertainers" to
>be idolized by thier children?". We've become a society of
>idolizers, and it' not been for the good.

You can't control who your children idolize (or who anyone idolizes for that matter---just look at Jesus--people were mezmorized by him). Children are very much a product of their environment--and you can not control a 2nd grader's environment 100% of the time. They are at school, or daycare, or afterschool activities, or friends' houses. Who they see and hear and idolize, etc. is usually not introduced by a parent but by a peer.

I don't think you can blame a parent because their child idolizes a certain person.

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
 
>My question is, "Why do parents allow these "entertainers" to
>be idolized by thier children?".

Candi, that is such a great question!!!

WE should be who we want our children to be when they grow up. We should be WAY more concerned with how WE act than how the Spears', Duffs, Raven or anyone else does, and we should encourage our kids to look inside and lead themselves, to be the best that they can. Everyone is flawed; nobody is perfect. Looking up to anyone is sure to end in disappointment because we all make mistakes.

And the honest truth is that no matter how much we idolize someone, we end up more like our parents than anyone else anyways... :+

Missy
 
"WE should be who we want our children to be when they grow up". That's a great quote, Missy.

Allison,

I agree you can't control everything in your child's environment. What I am talking about are the shows on T.V. which can be controlled by the parents and I'm amazed hearing about these Hannah Montana concerts. I'm assuming the parents are buying the expensive tickets and bringing their children.

I have to admit, it was easier when my daughter was growing up in the 80's. Pee Wee Herman was probably the greatest threat ;)
 
<<I think that parents should teach and encourage abstinence, responsibility, and acceptance and maturity with consequences if anything does happen. May not be popular opinion but I just wanted you to know that I refused to agree with some of the statements because I know there are those become a better person because of what they go through.>>

I agree with much of what you said but this in particular. I worked in a family planning clinic, and based on my clinical experience this is very important and all to frequently not addressed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top