Oh So Political!

Honestly, I do not consider myself a very sensitive person. Growing up with two brothers, I developed a thick skin at an early age. I have always been teased about being the "girl", and I guess that is why I am not very sensitive about political correctness as an adult.

(Now, don't get me wrong. I believe in treating others with dignity and respect. However, I also always realize that most people do not intend to be offensive, it is just a lack of awareness or education.)

OK, now let me get to my story. This morning, we had just finished a program called Hi-5. (Note: Hi-5 is the Mini Hunk's FAV show, and it is super cute. If you have a little one, you should check it out.) Well, another show followed, and it had a great deal of music and seemed pretty cute.

Due to the previously mentioned illness, I am still attempting to pry the Mini Hunk out of my lap each morning. So, I thought this may be a good diversion. So, rather than turning the TV off, I just left the program on as we played.

Well, during the first 5 minutes, I heard two odd things:

First, the animals in the program mentioned "Gift Giving Day." It was snowing and there were decorations like Christmas, but they kept using the term "Gift Giving Day." I thought this was a strange thing. As a public school teacher, I am familiar with "Winter Holidays," and I always tried to always mention a variety of holidays, but this concept of "Gift Giving Day" is a new one for me. I thought it was a little odd. Then I thought some more and decided it was VERY odd. Where did this new term come from? Is there somewhere for adults and parents to learn about these new things? OK, moving on...

Second, the animal kept mentioning "snow buddies." I thought they were saying "snow bunnies" like snow angels or something. Then I began to laugh out loud. They were building snowmen, and snow buddies must be the new politically correct term for snowmen. HA! Am I the only one who finds this hysterical? How confusing is this for small children? It took me a good long while to get it myself!

Well, this got me to pondering some really serious topics this morning:

#1. What if it becomes gender biased to have the lady on the restroom door wearing a dress? I mean, she could be wearing pants, but then how will I know where to the bathroom? And I don't mean to be rude, but I pride myself on my gender's cleanliness in the restroom. I LOVE the ladies bathroom! What will we do?

#2. Turns out, not all ladybugs are ladies. What if ladybugs can't be ladybugs anymore? So sad...

#3. This is a tough one: I know the proper term is postal carrier, but my carrier happens to be male. Is it still offensive for me to call him my mailman? I mean, it just comes out of my mouth. This has me thinking on a whole new level.

In conclusion, according to these new standards, I am most certainly, totally politically incorrect (and confused.) How about you?

Voyage to Walmart

Isn't it funny how a little, tiny baby can make a simple trip to Walmart so difficult? I went this morning and I felt like I was packing for a 7 day cruise. Then, getting the buggy ready (with this oh, so helpful buggy cover that takes forever to clip and Velcro in place. But what kind of horrible mother would I be if I didn't use it? :)

Then just shopping. My little prince can now stand in the buggy (even buckled in) as well as reach out and grab stuff...like other people...and their hair.

So, now what took just a few minutes consumes half of my day! I know someone else out there feels this way, too!