Rick C in Oakville
March 12, 2013 / 05:56

I use to take every March break off with the kids, now that they are out of high school it's just another week with less traffic now. Unfortunately March break always fell a week or so after the cold weather and skiing or skating outdoors was almost always ruled out.

The Sportsman show use to run on March break when I was a kid and would spend a whole day with mu=y cousin every year picking up fishing lures etc.

Enjoy the break with your kids Mike, it goes by too fast.

Argie
March 12, 2013 / 09:47

I love march break mainly because the roads and TTC are much quieter. The absence of helicopter parents dropping their kids off at the school that their spoiled kid could easily walk to is a huge factor.

Then there's the parents who insist on sending their one in million child to that highly acclaimed Montessori school that's a 40 minute drive from their house.

Like I said, I love March dreak.

Gump
March 12, 2013 / 10:57

@Argie,
At least in the case of both the parents that helicopter and the ones that drive their kids to a special school are 'present' and involved in their lives - guiding, assisting and caring about their children.
I think society under-estimates the damage that neglectful and/or absent parents (especially fathers) have on children who grow up to be dysfunctional adults.
I don't know why you have to be so critical of today's parents.

Jamie
March 12, 2013 / 11:04

Hey Mike,

Where did the Jordan dunk .gif's go? Was it an NBA copyright issue or was the memory to large?

Argie
March 12, 2013 / 11:19

Gump,

I agree that not being there for your children is an awful thing but I also see on a daily basis, parents who believe the world revolves around their precious Connor, Colton, Emma or any name ending in 'aiden'.

I live veru close to a French immersion school and from 3-5 in the afternoon, my street is jammed with annoying parents in their over-sized SUVs (which is odd because these are the same people who cry daily about global warming and the environment). What's also odd, is that there must be about a dozen school busses for these very special students but of course they are only carrying about 2 or 3 kids each. I guess the school buss is not safe enough for their offspring.

If you fit the bill, too bad for you.

Argie
March 12, 2013 / 11:20

Oops, sorry for the spelling errors. Maybe I should have went to one of these "special" schools.

Mississauga Phil
March 12, 2013 / 11:34

@ Argie - I have to agree with at least some of what you say. I love my kid more than anything in the world, but part of that love is the understanding that there is a real world out there and I can't shield him from it forever.

What grinds my gears are these parents that follow their kids around with a bottle of purel...God forbid they get some germs in their bodies and, i don't know, say develop an immune system....

My son dropped a cookie on the road when he was outside last week, picked it up, blew it off and ate it. His friends mom looked at me like I just fed him bleach or something....and we wonder why our kids can't fight off a simple cold or flu bug without resorting to medication...

Stephanie
March 12, 2013 / 15:27

I am probably considered by many to be one of 'those parents'. I seem to fit into Argie's description, as my almost 15 and 13 year olds have always gone to a 'special school' where I have driven them. But even though I am around them, I don't know everything and choose to let them fail. My son, in his first year of high school, knew he would get 10 more percent on his Christmas report card if he actually completed the first assignment and handed it in. That's it. He didn't do it. That mark ended up being 72% but would have been 82. His choice. I like to think that I have offered my kids some great trips to cities where we just explore and if the season is right, take in a ball game adding a park to our list of parks-we've-been-to. So.. I drop my kids off at their respective schools and I fly them around the country. I guess my life does revolve around them since I follow them all over Canada and the United States as they pursue their baseball and cheerleading. I always thought I was doing the right thing..

twins from bolton
March 12, 2013 / 18:31

@ Stephanie

The LEASH should have been taken of them years ago. You should have realized they are growing up & not being "children" anymore. What's gong to happen when they have to start doing things for themselves in future years.
Is Mommy going to attend your "children's" 1st job interview.

Not to be too harsh but I see it alot & those that are doing what you are having problems (social, loneliness, etc) in their teens.

I have twin 21 yr olds now & am thankful they made a lot of their own decisions when they were in grade school & had a LOT of freinds.

Do your kids have many freinds?

Argie
March 12, 2013 / 18:38

Stephanie,

Let me guess: BMW X5, Cda Goose, Lulu Lemon, Uggs and manis & pedis all play a big role in your life. Am I close?

Roshan
March 12, 2013 / 23:36

Ah you are a great dad. Enjoy the week with your kids Mike. I wish we adults here got such breaks. Most jobs you get 27 leaves a year (other then the public holidays for festivals and Independence Day) but rarely do people like me take a proper holiday. I usually just take 'sick leaves' when my asthma acts up. Like today for example :(

Stephanie
March 13, 2013 / 10:07

Clearly, my response was lost in translation.. I am present in my childrens lives but do not hover. I have already seen this result in some interesting teenage-initiated dialogue. I don't have all the answers but I do like being asked the questions. I am the parent in the schools that the teachers know but do not hide from. I don't pretend to think I could do their jobs better than they do.

Argie - Obviously, I should not have risen to the bait. I did and you won (Q7, by the way).

Twins...You, however, are the one I am surprised at. Again, I realize my original response didn't come out right, but it has bothered me more than Argie's predictable, pigeon-holed, pre-determined pre-judgement. You're a baseball coach and know the parental commitment it takes of a Bantam aged player. I am that parent. I have never, ever, ever called a coach about playing time or batting lineup (etc, etc...) my kids get their spots based on their merit, NOT my phone dialing skills. I am NOT living my life vicariously through my childrens sports, school or social-life but I am enjoying every minute of it since I actually get to watch it and my kids actually want me to know about it.

Gump
March 13, 2013 / 13:11

Wow.
This blog commenting is filled with so much spite and negativeness. I'm really losing the will to post when others are so willing to judge based on (really) absolutely nothing.
I walk my 5 and 7 year old to school. We hold hands as we cross the street and talk about what is going on in their young lives (mostly Skylanders). I know their friends and their most of their friend's parents (or at least 1 of them). I know they need new shoes and when their dentist appointments are (will be needed orthodontics but will that 'spoil' my children if they have straight teeth that won't be cavity filled??? perhaps I shouldn't hover to make sure they brush their teeth at night). I push vegetables and fruit at them constantly and make sure they get protein. I won't buy pop for the house.
I feel I'm a good parent, but thanks for the judgement by proxy.
I gotta find myself a new blog or find a way to 'awk' Argie and a few others from the commenting responses.

Argie
March 13, 2013 / 17:17

Stephanie,

You also like Pinot Grigio too, right?

Rick C in Oakville
March 13, 2013 / 20:12

Stephanie doesn't need me to offer any help in defending herself, but I would sooner be tarred with maybe being very involved in my kids lives than being absent as many parents are today.

Liz
March 15, 2013 / 13:06

The stuff I just read - the vitriol - is fucking disheartening.

Stephanie - I apologize to you on behalf of people who simply aren't capable of too much.

I'm feeling pretty damned sad right now. When did the comment sections start to turn Mike's great site into one big dick wag? Could we go back to trying to add just a wee bit of value? Would that be too fucking much to ask?

Argie, smarten up. Take a break from being a predictable asshole. I know you're capable of being a decent human being.

The poster from Bolton? Really? Surprised and saddened by your so-called contribution. "Leash?" Again, REALLY?

You know, I think I'm going to take a break from this site. What started as a nice piece by Mike about spending time with his kids, was soured by the above bullshit.

The funny thing? I had a really neat story to share - something happy, sweet. Something I know everyone could relate to on some level. I thought it would be a nice way to kick off the weekend. Now? Nah. I don't need to be pissed on by an angry group of people who ought to know better.