Saturday, April 2, 2011

Off-topic: Defending My Parenting Style

Today I took my 14 year old daughter to have her lip pierced.

I know that there are many people who will say, "How irresponsible! Why would she let her daughter do something like that? Do they think that's attractive?"

I will respond first by saying yes, I think it is very cute on her. If you don't like it, don't get one. We like it.

Second, here's how I would let my daughter do something like that. Julia is a brilliant, talented, creative, well-behaved, funny, mature teenager. She does not do drugs; she doesn't drink; she doesn't smoke; she does not engage in other risky behaviors; she makes good grades; she is well spoken, reasonable, and logical. She is what is commonly referred to as a good kid. I don't have to watch over her shoulder every second to be sure she is not getting into trouble. I consider myself a lucky parent.

The lip piercing is a style choice. She wanted some facial jewelry, and this is the one she chose. It is not illegal, dangerous, dirty, or scandalous. It's a piece of metal on her face. Not such a big deal. It's not even permanent; it will grow in if she removes the jewelry.

So I don't see what the big deal is. I know that I'm going to catch a lot of shit from people, especially people from my hometown. But you know what? I don't care. She is not your kid. She's probably a lot better behaved than your kid. I'm proud of her, and I like letting her express herself. So stick that in your juice box and suck on it.

5 comments:

Gayle said...

HELL TO THE YES!!!! You rock the shit out of parenting Nena, and the evidence is a living, breathing, happy, smart, healthy Julia! I kinda wish some jackass would make a negative comment just to observe Nena Unleashed!
Great mom, great kid. Period.

Becky said...

What Gayle said, and f*ck the haterz. Can I adopt Julia as my little sister? I've always wanted a sister, and she's the awesomest. :-P I'd go hang out with your kid doing pretty much anything LONG before I'd hang out with my peers (well, most of 'em anyways). Ju's got her head on straight, and so do you... and honestly, if Kait was to ask me to get a facial piercing at that age, I'd probably let her do it to. So there!

Nena said...

Thank you ladies. The chastising and attempted guilt assigning is pouring in from the usual suspects (they do it privately, of course, because they know I have people here who have my back). I'm politely telling them that I love them, and I don't live in Brownsville anymore for a reason. Hope their broken hearts mend.

Delane said...

I have no kids, but it seems like your a great mom.

Jenny said...

I am from your home town and even though peircings may not be my thing, I respect your choice. With all the things we have to worry about today as a parent, a peirced whatever is nothing. I respect your right to parent your child how you see fit. I have known people who were raised very strict who turned out to be some of the most unproductive degenerates i've ever known. I think that if a teenager isn't allowed to express themselves openly, they will do it in some other way that might be destructive.