I just don't get other parents

Today is my son's birthday party; he turned 15 this week and he invited 10 other kids to a sleep over party at our home. Six girls and 4 boys. Now, only one of the parents had met me and none of them had met Tex. So, I (naively) thought that since their little darlings would be sleeping over at a stranger's home, they would come in and meet Tex 'n me, check out our home and get the feel of the place. Well, not only did they not come in, the first I knew of most arrivals was a ring at the door bell by a kid, I would look out, enquire as to the whereabouts of mum or dad, only to be told, "Oh, they've gone home".

Now, I don't know about you other parents, but if my son was invited to someones home for a sleep over, I'd be wanting to check out the other kids parents. Although I don't have a 15 year old daughter, I would imagine that her parents would be even more keen. Okay, so Tex is a fabulous bloke, but fuck me - they don't know that; for all they know, he could massacre 15 year old kids with a chainsaw in the basement (or worse...), but not one of the little darlings mums or dads decided to pop in and check us out.

I'd like to think that they are just trusting people, who know our son and who believe that, on the basis of his nature and personality, we would be good people. But, personally, I think its just negligence on their part. Maybe I'm over reacting (yes, I have been accused of being a 'smother-mother' more than once), but I don't think you can be too careful.

What do you think ?? Am I over reacting, or do you find it surprising that none of the parents wanted to (1) check out my husband and I; (2) ask/check about sleeping arrangements for their daughters; (3) leave emergency contact phone numbers; ir (4) arrange pick up times.

Seriously, I just don't get other parents....

8 Things

I was struggling to find something to start my blog with, so my husband suggested I try this...

*8 things I'm passionate about:

1. My husband and son without whom life would be soul-less

2. My Burmese cats, Minti and Jaffa

3. Aligning my personal values with those of the my organisation

4. Being kind to old people, kids and animals
5. Reading for pleasure (ie NOT freaking text books) and listening to great music
6. Honesty, integrity and loyalty above all else
7. The promotion of equity and diversity in all its forms
8. The welfare of my staff

*8 things I would like to do before I die:

1. Accept myself for who and what I am

2. Snorkel off the Maldives

3. Learn more about Buddhism

4. Work within an organisation whose values align with my own

5. Take ballroom dancing lessons

6. Learn to corner my motorbike with great confidence at high speed !
7. Live in a small cottage on acreage with just my husband, my cats 'n dogs, a vege patch, my books and my music
8. See my son grow into a happy, healthy adult who is living out his dreams

*8 things I say often:

1. I love you (to my husband and son)
2. No Tex, I haven't seen your..........

3. Clean your room (to my 15yo son!)
4. Jesus bloody Christ !
5. I'm so bloody tired
6. Are you serious ?
7. Have you done your homework ?
8. Is it that time already ?

*8 books i have read recently:

1. Write Home For Me (A Red Cross Woman in Vietnam) by Jean Debelle Lamensdorf
2. Slaughterhouse:The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect and Inhumane Treatment Inside
The US Meat Industry by Gail A. Eisnitz
3. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs
4. Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis
5. The Power of Beauty by Nancy Friday
6. Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
7. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
8. Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

*8 songs that I could listen to over and over (and do):

1. Throw your arms around me/Holy Grail (equal #1 - both by Hunters & Collectors)
2. Torn (Natalie Imbruglia)
3. White Flag (Dido)
4. Whiskey in the Jar (Thin Lizzy)(especially when sung & played on guitar by my husband)
5. Oh No (Dan Greenwood)
6. My Hometown (Bruce Springsteen)
7. Move it on Over (George Thorogood & The Destroyers)
8. Hallelujah (Rufus Wainright version of the Jeff Buckley classic)

*8 things which attract me to friends

1. Loyalty, Compassion, Integrity and Honesty - these above all else
2. Being able to relax and let my guard down with them
3. When they accept my idiosyncrasies without judging me
4. Being able to be still and quiet with them
5. Having an ability to laugh at one another without malice
6. Understanding what I do for a living does not define me as a human being
7. Love my cats = love me !
8. Ability to keep things simple (life is complex enough)

Today my son turned 15....

....and all I can do is sit and wonder where the time has gone. He is no longer my little boy, but an incredible young man with independent hopes, dreams and aspirations. I find it amazing that I haven't completely fucked him up and that somehow he has managed to grow up to be a completely well-adjusted and self-confident kid. This quiet self-confidence allows him to tell me that he loves me every day and give me a hug in front of his peers, without embarrassment and with genuine feeling. Of all of the things that I have ever done, he is by far my greatest achievement and whilst there are times when he exasperates and infuriates me beyond all reason, there is rarely a day that goes by that I don't reflect upon just how proud I am of him and who he is.

Okay, I'll agree -this is completely self-indulgent, sappy stuff - but this is my blog and I'll put whatever the fuck I like in it !

My Furry Burmese Children

Here's a picture of my Burmese cats, Minti (Blue Tortoiseshell Burmese) and Jaffa (Chocolate Burmese). They are completely over-indulged cats that I treat more like kids, which no doubt some people will find ridiculous.....but, you know what ? I don't give a rats arse.