Just what does "BACKWARDS" mean??

I bristle, too, when I hear something negative about my kid, which is natural enough, but I don't think MC is wrong. Once you get over your first reaction, it would be sensible to consider whether the unnamed person has a point. Even rude and stupid people can say true things from time to time. So, just think about it: are your daughters actually behind public school kids in reading, writing, math and other basic academic skills? Can they express themselves in conversation with non-family members? Are they able to do things around your little community without you there to help them? Is it just their fashion sense that's not up to date (not a bad thing, IMO), or are they not learning things that could be as helpful to them as milking a cow? I think all of us here are happy not to blend in with "the Joneses" but we want our kids to grow up with the wherewithal to meet life's challenges in their own time. If you think your daughters are growing up to be happy, strong, clear-eyed, competent young women, then I would pay no heed to that comment.

Tell your girls next time someone tells them that, to reply "Thanks for the compliment"

In todays society I would be glad to be called "backward" by some of the sheeple out there. That means I'm not like them.

We're backward by choice. My Briish MIL asked me when my daughter was born not to let her grow up too fast. City kids get street smart early and yuppy kids know all the latest songs and fashions, but my girls know Mother Earth and I hope to keep it that way for as long as possible. Besides, the Bible says we are not to be of the world, but apart from it. Backwards rocks!

This issue of Readers Digest has an article that states home schooled kids are smarter than public school kids...

That's what I thought it meant too.

AndI know a few like that, bless their hearts.

Asw much as I want life like it was 200 years ago, I have to agree with you on this

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mean people!!!

Oh for heaven sakes Star, get a grip. Every generation has its little tricks to send parents orbital. Last year it was body piercing, the year before that tatoos (how very retro they seem today!), this year.. bracelets. Whoop-tee-dee. The kid wants to wear plastic bracelets get her ones that really make a statement, like the pink ones for supporting breast cancer research or the Livestrong yellow ones from the Lance Armstrong foundation.

I know seven year olds with plastic bracelets up and down their arms. Are you telling me they've slept with most of the town? I don't think so. And if 7 year olds have seized on these things as "fashionable," trust me... no self respecting teen is going to think they're cool for very long. Not when their baby sisters are wearing them.

I think when you're confronted by an issue of taste, such as this one, it might be a good opportunity to reach beyond the teen years and into the 20's and 30's for your response. Plastic bracelets are cheap, but they're also trendy, trash, fashion. So I'd say "this is junk... why would you want to spend money on junk when you can get something with some real style you'll wear forever?" And then take her to buy something in a nice silver or gold wrist bracelet. I had several silver pieces which were very inexpensive at the time but not childish which my mother bought me as a substitute for whatever ghastly thing girls were wearing way back when. Last summer I gifted them on another teen. You can find classic fashions at flea markets and yard sales, as well as jewlery stores.

Backwards thinking people are not, pumpkin, "right" in their thinking and forward looking people "wrong." And if you're teaching your child this kind of knee jerk reaction to everything you perceive as different and threatening you're not doing her any favors. Any more than my mother, who was very aware of fashion and style, and could make horrible snap judgements based on how another woman dressed, was really doing her daughter any favors.

There is, as we grow up, a Uniform of Office which we ignore at our peril. If I show up at a meeting with my banker in which I'm requesting funds for a new startup in jeans and a tshirt it shows an utter lack of respect for their time (and money). I am expected to appear in a suit with appropriate accessories. Farmers may get away with showing up at the bank in jeans and boots to ask for seed loans. But for most people certain style rules do apply. WalMart employees are given clothing guidelines... so are bankers, bakers, and probably candlestick makers.

And the same is true of children attending school. There are certain rules of style which your child ignores at their peril. If they've the flamboyant personality to wear extremes of fashion they are trendsetters. If they follow the crowd, they blend. If they fall on the far side of unfashionable and even frumpy they are treated...

Well, rather badly, aren't they?

Which is why your daughter wants to wear bracelets. To blend in with the accepted fashion in her "business world." If you don't want her to blend than you better make darn sure she's got the sort of powerful and flamboyant personality she needs to carry her digression from teen fashion off with apomb.

It is unfair for you to ask your kids to style themselves on what was fashionable 20, 50, or 100 years ago unless it is the style they want to be carrying off.

If it is... I've got a source for an edwardian winter coat which is, simply put, AWESOME. I want one!

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Call me backwards!! Don't worry about "I could buy them AND the horse they rode in on!!!" that is not what it is all about. We all do our best to protect our children, but exposure to this kind of ignorance can sometimes be benificial. Concetrate on good morals, good work ethics and strong character, these are the best tools we parents can supply.

I am Backwards I am sure by most peoples standards. I dont mind a bit because I dont like how society is on the whole. You are tteaching your kids to care about life and other people, to have manners, to value/budget money,ect.... GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!

What Backwards means to me is that I am not worldly . I am glad that I am not .
Indianana Country Friend