The Dilemma of Race

 Unless you live under a rock, you know the social issues of race, racial profiling, and the fact that the US isn't as far along in racial equality as most white people think is every where now.
The terrible  shooting of Trayvon Martin, horrible responses to Rue in Hunger Games being portrayed by an African-American actress, and other random things in the news are just the tip of the iceberg.
  All this got me thinking about The Peanut and making sure she's raised to understand no one is better than anyone because of their race. It is even more important to me since we moved to our new place and she has made new friends that aren't the same color as her. To her beautiful 4 year old mind, there is no race. It just happens that a few of her little friends have different color skin.  In fact a conversation about this went as follows:
The Peanut: My friend [name] is brownish.
Me: Yup.
The Peanut: My skin is pinkish
Me: Yup.
The Peanut: I feel treatish. Can I have something yummy?

 This filled me with joy. Then I started thinking. Right now, she doesn't care. I think we're raising a loving little girl that sees past color. But that's the problem. I assume. And that is my dilemma. How do I make sure she understands that there are people in this world that judge someone just because they have dark skin? How do I explain slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, the KKK? How do I tell her that some people are cruel and say horrible things about some of her friends?

  Then I decided, I will just do my best and use every learning opportunity to make sure she understands the best that she can.

It's all about love.

  Sometimes motherhood is not showering for days, never going to the bathroom alone, and watching the same episode of Kipper 42 times in a row.
  Other times it is wearing a Gary the Snail headband to the grocery and not caring that people are staring.

Cloud Dough

  Two posts in one day! I just had to share this. It's so much fun.

Cloud Dough! I got the idea from Pinterest. Or maybe it was StumbleUpon. I don't know.  Anyhoo.

  The recipe I found was probably posted by a preschool teacher because her portions were huge. I scaled my down a bit.

Original Recipe

8 cups flour

2 cups baby oil

This amount would be great for a sensory table/center. 

My Scaled Down Recipe

2 cups flour
8ish tablespoons baby oil

Just mix in enough baby oil so the flour sticks together when you form a ball.

See, the dough is still crumbly but holds its shape when molded.

Not only does it smell good, it feels silky. 

An egg! 

A note: I would not recommend this to kids under the age of three. Unless they are good about not putting things in their mouth. Baby oil isn't exactly non-toxic. Teachers, this really is a great sensory experience. I would put out things you can use to make molds. Cookie cutters, plastic Easter eggs, cups, whatever. 

  Here is something that bothers me a bit. Parents that constantly complain how their kids ruined their lives.  I'm not talking about the occasional lament of I'd like to go out to dinner alone with my husband, but can't find a baby sitter. I mean
*WHINE* Whoa is me, kids are expensive, I can't go out clubbing all night when ever I want. I have to be careful where my money goes and have to buy the kid clothes instead of buying myself something I don't need.
  I don't feel sorry for them. AT ALL. Raising kids is hard. You make sacrifices, Cow-girl up and act like a grown up. It isn't like it is a great secret that having a family changes your life. There are television shows, movies, books, even the Johnson&Johnson "Having a baby changes everything" commercials all about family life.
  When you plan to have a family, you know things will change. If you don't, well honestly, I find you rather silly. You may not know exactly what life will be, but you have a general idea.
  Here's my thought. Instead of focusing on what you lost, think about what you've gained. Embrace the new phase in your life and enjoy your family. Oh and get a baby sitter and go clubbing.  Nothing makes you appreciate your new life like seeing just how annoying the singles scene is now.








Random photo: The Peanut discovered she likes eel! The sushi chef was so shocked and impressed, he made Peanut her a special eel sushi roll. Free of charge!!