How being a parent changes you...

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Elok


Not a parent

Obviously. But being a part-time babysitter has just FILLED you with wisdom, eh? Can you just imagine my eyes rolling, or do I have to draw you a smilie?

I'm not saying your kids are stupid

Then explain what you meant by the following:

"but really it's just a desire not to have my next of kin grow up pre-stupefied."

I'm just saying that Barney probably did not profit their intelligence.

And you come by this information how? Oh, wait:

"Barney teaches no actual information and he gives me the creeps."

So, you don't like Barney because he "gives you the creeps". Ergo, he's "stupid" and kids who watch him become "stupified."

And how is this not insulting my little girl????

Another thing about being a parent: it makes you very protective. I'm in the process of (potentially) suing my very own parents for something they did to her (and us) - taking you on in a message board is a piece of cake.

[Q Classic]

i will NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER turn into one of those damned asian parents to my offspring.

[Kramerman]

good post JohnT
Post a family pic of your daughter and wife, damnit! I wanna see a happy American family

[JohnT]

To Q Cubed: Meaning?

[Kramerman]

i am always telling myself when i get married the sex wont end there... i dont see why it does... am i just naive?

[JohnT]

It doesn't... it just stops being a priority because, well, it's always there if you want it.

I'll scan a few pics and throw them up later. But here's one now (an older one, when Sophia was about 10 months old).

[Q Classic]

johnt:
as in, i'll give my kids some breathing space. even if it means calling them every other day at college instead of every day. even if it means letting them pick their own goddamn major. even if it means letting them do little league instead of practicing the goddamn fvcking piano, because they want to do little league.

in essence, not a first-gen asian parent, with the kids under a dictatorial boot and no room to breathe.

that said, i don't know if i'd've wanted to be raised another way. but don't tell mom that.

===

sophia looks so precious. you're lucky to be blessed with a gift like caring for a child.

[SlowwHand]

Takes after her mama.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Q Cubed
i will NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER turn into one of those damned asian parents to my offspring.

My uni's paper had an opinion column on that very thing this week: http://136.159.250.102/viewstory.php?sid=9421

Living under tyranny

2003-04-10

by Anna Chan

A "modern-day Nazi regime" is the only way I can describe it. You may think it's harsh to refer to it in such a manner, extreme even, but if it was your everyday life, you could only agree. Some of you can relate to my difficulties, my trials, and few triumphs: those with Chinese parents.

At the root there appears to be only one explanation, a sinister foundation of irrationality. Short of experiencing it for yourself, there is no sufficient explanation to allow for complete understanding. So allow me to provide you with a few examples.

Parents are parents. They'll worry and be cautious, especially when it comes to your well being. But what is it called when curfews are set for five in the evening? How about when it comes to school work? Anything, with the exception of 100 per cent and above, is unacceptable. Receiving a 95 per cent on an exam would receive a hearty "What happened to the other five percent?" Once in university, the only path is Engineering, Business, or Computer Science. Anything else, especially anything remotely artistic, will short list you for the outcast role among family members.

Chinese parents constantly phone you at the drop of a hat to know the most menial of things, like whether you've eaten, when you'll be home, how you're getting home, and are you on your way home yet. The most baffling of all is that even if you purposely forget to leave a number where you can be contacted, they still manage to find you.

Have you ever been sitting with friends in a restaurant only to have your mother call you on your friend's cell phone telling you not to stay out too late? No? Well, I have.

Even worse--yes, it gets worse--is the issue of driving. I am a 20 year-old female who has only recently acquired her driver's license. I know, this doesn't look too good for me, but you can't honestly think I waited this long by choice. After I completed the driving course, I constantly brought up the fact that I was ready to take the road test. At this point, my dad would shut me down without a thought. I completed the in-class component, as well as the written part, however, I neglected to take my dad's in-car classes.

Driving is never easy for Chinese children who have Chinese parents. Not only do you have to be deemed ready to drive by the government, but also by a superior power, the Chinese parent. Though I am licensed, I am restricted. I have a friend who is only permitted to drive a certain radius around her house, and I consider her fortunate. Initially I was unable to drive on any road that requires me to change lanes, so essentially I was stuck in my neighbourhood. Fortunately for me, the car does not know this.

Fear not fellow suppressed children of the Chinese, our day will come. Rebel, take an art class, heck, get an English degree. Lie, stay out, and don't come home until the next day. Soon we'll be able to move out and be free of the regime. Until then, I can be seen driving around in circles in the South West. If you see me, please wave. I'd appreciate it.

[JohnT]

Here's a more recent one. Isn't she beautiful? Today she told me, for the first time "I love you". Actually, she said "I wu you", but close enough!

[Ming]

Originally posted by Kramerman
i am always telling myself when i get married the sex wont end there... i dont see why it does... am i just naive?

To answer your question... yes.

No... it doesn't "end"... but it won't be the same, or as often as before you were married

[Kramerman]

Originally posted by JohnT
Here's a more recent one. Isn't she beautiful? Today she told me, for the first time "I love you". Actually, she said "I wu you", but close enough!

awww...

[monolith94]

johnt - you do realize she's wearing mismatched shoes in that picture, right?

"Hug your wife, and tell her that you love her 10 times a day? Ditto."

Doesn't sound bad to me.

[Skanky Burns]

The shoes aren't mismatched. One is covered by her dress slightly, the other is below the bottom of the picture. Look again.

[Kramerman]

No... it doesn't "end"... but it won't be the same, or as often as before you were married

why? the Q isnt just for you ming, anyone is free to answer.