Peer Pressure

I have a question.

In the socio-economic group (yuppies who have had kids late) and neighborhood (Park Slope) we find ourselves in, there is a trend to send children to a rudimentary form of school at the age of 2. That's right. School at 2.

It is euphemistically referred to as a "Twos program" and it is essentially 2 or 3 days a few for a few hours.

Many (in fact all except one who is now wavering) of the mothers that Sarah is socializing with are putting their children in such a program. I have voiced my opinion that I think it is essentially a load of rubbish but I am sensitive to the fact that she is experiencing massive pressure to send Grace to this rudimentary form of learning.

Is it wrong of me to think that just because these "schools" charge more than $5000 a year for "schooling" 2 year olds that it is for the most part it is simply a way to part affluent, nervous parents from their money? I don't doubt that there is some value in this, but this plays completely into the irrational fear that modern parents have. It is especially pernicious in urban parents who have had children later in life. They (we) tend to be better off academically & financially. We also highly value education. If Pre-K is good for the kid, how about 2 more years of school? That will really give my child super brainpower (and social connections). The fear then becomes that if your child doesn't go into a 2's program, then perhaps they won't get into the "right" preschool, and then they won't get into the right elementary school, and the next thing you know, Harvard is out and Palm Beach County Community College is their only option. I am not exaggerating.

I grew up in Florida where education was not this competitive, so I freely admit I have my biases on this issue. But I also resent the fact that there is all this pressure on a school decision for a child who still shits its pants. It smacks of am elitism I have never been comfortable with.
There is a notion that "nothing is too good for my child" that I am very leery of. It allows one to rationalize all sorts of poor decisions, from $900 strollers, over vaccination, designer clothing, $100,000 bar mitzvahs, to expensive school for 2 year olds.

It's possible my anti-elitist streak is clouding my judgement. If you have an opinion, I would love to hear from you.

The Quail Hunter

I only have one observation about the "incident". If you or I shot someone in the face while out hunting, and the police showed up to investigate, do you think you could tell them to just go away? And then they would? And do you think they would simply accept all of your friends' version of the event, no questions asked?

I didn't think so.
It's good to be the king (behind the throne).

Note to self

Just worked 115 1/4 hours in 8 days (14.4 hours per day for those keeping score, which equals 6.4 hours PER DAY of overtime for most of America, and way more for most of France).

I AM NOT MY JOB. Lather . Rinse. Repeat.

My wife and daughter have essentially seen me half asleep for 2 weeks (weekends excluded). Hearing "DAAAADDY " in a comatose state is no way to go through life.

Time for bed. Work beckons.

The Internets, Part Deux

Came home from work at 4AM after one of the longest weeks I've had in quite some time (71 hours) and decided to do a little research for a new printer on line before going to bed.

Went to hp.com and the site was down for maintenence.
Went to JandR.com and it too was down for maintenence.
Someone is telling me to go to bed.
Goodnight.

The Internets

Not sure if you have followed any of this story, but there was a piece in the NY Times a few weeks asgo about how a NASA scientist was being censored by political appointees at the Agency for speaking out on Global Warming.

Then the other day there was another story about how the same appointee was telling NASA Scientists that they had to say that The Big Bang was only a "theory" when they mentioned it because it didn't allow for the mention of a creator.

Here is a story about that political appointee. It is very much worth a read.

What this means is that if you want to gin up any controversy in this day and age, KNOW that there will be somebody checking you out.