I’m a mama bear! Don’t mess with me, my Cubs or my country ! I need to know where my babies are, who they are with, what they are eating and how they are feeling. Helicopter mom? Yes. Have I started to become the mom in the “Luvs” commercial? The one with the mom with her first kid armed with gallons of hand sanitizer and then she hands the second kid over to the man at the oil change place. Yeah I’m not quite there yet. As I sit here, getting an oil change, listening to the sad news reports on TV, I realize I’m far from that “Live, Learn then get Luvs” mom. (Click the blue words below to see links 💙👍🏻)
Luvs Commercial
This place smells like cigarettes, piss, pine sol and I wouldn’t hand my baby over to lovely Mr. John with the neck tattoo. I’m more like the “Eat, sleep, then pray” mom.
Anyway I started this post 215 days ago and I still feel the same way I did when I started writing this. We have to protect our kids and loved ones more than ever.
The mass shooting in Orlando and the media coverage the last couple of days has reminded me why I am afraid of this world. Remembering all the horror and terror of years past makes me sad. Visiting the 911 Memorial Museum last summer and hearing the voices, screams and seeing it up close and personal is something that will haunt me forever. Plus when you work in television, you see and hear gory, gruesome details on murders and other heinous crimes. It makes you paranoid. So ya I’m scared for my kids because of the evil world we live in.
As The POTUS said yesterday. The President of the United States,
“This is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American regardless of race, ethinicity, religion, or sexual orientation is an attack on all of us and the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country. No act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.
Today, marks the most deadly shooting in American history. The shooter was apparently armed with a handgun, and a powerful assault rife. This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school, or in a house of worship, or a movie theater, or in a nightclub and we have to decide if that’s the kind of country we want to be. And to actively do nothing is a decision as well.”
This was the 14th time President Obama addressed the nation about the worst mass shooting in US history.
We are not promised tomorrow.
Just like Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda said last night “Love is love is love is love!”
His sonnet moved me to tears.
This world is crumbling. I fear for the future. I fear for our kids. We are not safe at school, church, movie theaters, nightclubs, work or sporting events. Do we stop living our lives? No. Do we step up and take more precautions? Yes.
So what can we do as parents to keep our kids safe? Watch them! I swear almost all of our accidents have happened when we have been inches or feet away.
1. Leashes:
The first time I flew alone I put a panda backpack leash on our older son. He is a wild one and I needed that peace of mind, regardless of the looks and judgment of other airport patrons. This mama don’t care. I ordered it on Amazon Animal 2 in 1 Harness Backpack
And I got my mom one too! We haven’t flown with our little son yet due to his airborne food allergies but you bet your ass I will be using it again!
Let me say that I openly hated on parents who used leashes on their kids before I had kids. Disgust written all over my face as kids were attached to their parents at the a State Fair, like dogs on leashes.
And in the words of The Notorious B.I.G., “if don’t know, now you know!” – Juicy. RIP Big Poppa
2. Baby Monitors:
Ok I plan on keeping these up and on until puberty. We live in a small house yet I am attached to these more than my cell phone when the sun goes down. I’m on my third monitor and use the dual cameras. My husband is looking into outdoor home safety cameras. He had me download this ap yesterday which we are super excited about. Family Life 360 in the AppStore. I’m reluctant with technology and my hubby is a techy guy. Let’s just say I would go back to blackberry if I could even tho life revolves around Apple and Android.
I have a sign like most mama bears, hanging over the door bell either kindly or threateningly requesting not to ring the bell, knock or solicit for fear of waking the baby. Truth be told I think everyone should have one of these because seriously who likes it when the doorbell rings or there is a knock at the door? Not me! I don’t need what you’re selling, preaching or to open my door for a home invader. If you haven’t seen this stand up comedian talk about answering the door click here it’s hilarious!!!
Sebastian What’s wrong with people?!?!
It’s so true when we were kids it was a joyous sound to hear the doorbell. Now it’s like STFU, hit the deck and “did you park in the garage?!” We live in fear. If I’m home alone, forget about it.
3. Microchips:
Which brings me to microchips. We microchipped our dog so if he was lost or stolen we could find him. So when will we start microchipping our kids? Agree or disagree but we already put leashes on our kids. I know, I know it’s inhumane and goes against free will, but so are these staggering statistics on missing and exploited children in the United States!!!
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
According to the FBI, in 2015 there were 460,699 NCIC entries for missing children. Similarly, in 2014, the total number of missing children entries into NCIC was 466,949.
So forgive me when I say I want to do anything in my power to keep my babies safe and secure. I have mentioned before that I may be too real with my boys. I teach them stranger danger. I never bring race or looks into it. Just simple facts.
“If someone tries to get you what do you do?!”
“Run, scream your head off and look for help.”
“If you can’t find mommy who do you look for?”
“Police or someone that looks like mommy, daddy or meme.”
“No one touches your penis but you!”
This might sound agressive but so is the abuse and violence that is blind to its innocent victims.
It starts at home. We must band together to raise our kids in the world of today no matter how ugly it may be. I wish I could wear rose colored glasses and continue in the mommy brain ignorance is bliss mode, but no longer. Our children’s safety and lives are worth the time. Is it scary? Yes. Is it necessary? Yeah.
It starts with me, you and all of us to protect this land that we love.
Love knows no bounds.
God bless America.
xoxo
Just Happy Mommy
Just Happy Mommy 