Eating babies is voluntary

Therapy has drained me of my will to write. But you may find it interesting to note that even though I'm taking out long put away issues and examining them again and that I'm sad a lot of the time when I think about these issues: I still feel like looking at all of this again is part of the puzzle.

But enough about that. Let's talk about how summer is going. Last year I talked about how much I hated my children as early as June 30. In 2004 we made it to July 30 without me wanting to tear them limb from limb.

What made the difference? It's not medication because this year I'm not on medication. It's also not as much Heavenly Playgroup because everyone's been running in 20 different directions this summer.

It might be the fact that I've spent nearly $500 (so far) on summer activities for the kids. Plus I've found a young babysitter (not a nanny) to come over once or twice a week.

When I mention she might be coming over Max says, "WOO Hooo!" and, since she's a little shy, I ask Max, "What do you like about Sarah*?" He says, "Uhm, I like how she wears braces." One for the baby book: 'Baby's First Fetish!'
*Sarah's not her name.

Last year I sent the kids to a camp at the Detroit Zoo. This year I tried but they refused to charge and enroll the kids. I faxed my registration and they never charged me. So I called....SIX times....to see if they'd missed us or didn't charge until the class started. The ONE SINGLE person who knew how to handle this question was ALWAYS not there. I was transferred across the entire zoo phone network to figure this simple issue out. After the last call I said, 'Forget it.'

Dear Detroit Zoo, I know you're struggling but I wanted to give you $250 and you refused to take it. I'm not a business type, but refusing to take money from patrons seems like bad business. I mean, at least it does to me. Maybe I don't understand these things.

Last year I also sent the kids to Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School marked the only time in my life of evil (just ask my in-laws) where I appreciated what God could give. God gives quiet time. God is good. God wants my kids to spend the hours of 9 to noon learning about His greatness while I do other things.

This year the Presbyterians aren't so much showing me God's love. They've decided you have to volunteer if you want to send your children to be indoctrinated in their religion. Isn't it enough I give them impressionable brains to mold in their ideals? Can't they just eat their babies by the light of the moon and call it a day?

It's not even the volunteering which bothers me. It's the fact that it's a requirement for attendance only the Presbyterians are too polite to come out and say, "If you want to use our church for the free time you stand to gain, you're going to have to volunteer to make it happen."

They say things like, "How Will You Volunteer?" Instead of "Can you volunteer?" and think that's 'clear' enough.

Even the letter we got in the mail says, "There will be one table for families who have already registered their children and have expressed their volunteer preference. The other table is for families who need to register."

None of this screams: "Volunteer or don't come."

Do they realize this is America? Subtlety is for Europeans.

I only know volunteering is an attendance requirement because of an inside source.

I'm happy to volunteer but I've got a plane heading to California and I intend to be on it and no Presbyterian is going to keep me away.

As an aside, do you want a Vox invite? Unless we share a last name, then don't even ask. Gone!

Comments

[Jack's Raging Mommy]

I'd like an invite! They haven't sent me one yet.
Also, my mom's church just had VBS with pony rides and a greased pig contest.
I'm still not sure what I think of that.

[Missy]

Ha ha. I was a Presbyterian. We liked to call ourselves the "Frozen Chosen".

I'll take a Vox invite, too, though I keep telling myself this is "the last time" I sell my soul on the internet. Sheesh.

[dutch]

the most important thing I ever learned at vacation bible school is how to make homemdade pretzels. take that jesus!

[Mrs X]

I got kicked out of VBS when I was kid. There was nothing on that registration to indicate that you couldn't ask questions for the entire 3 hours. Or bring firecrackers.

I just keep sending them out to the backyard and then hiding.
6 weeks to go!

[PK]

I volunteered for Methodist VBS this year and got barfed on. By a greased pig. (Two of those statements are true; guess which.)
What is the Vox, and why won't my brain wrap around it? Oy.

[drowninginkids]

My brain is dense and i'm looking at vox and not understanding, also, i don't share your last name so i guess i'm out.

Forced volunteerism is employment without pay which is slavery. Take that VBS.

[Nothing But Bonfires]

When I read "Sarah's not her name," I got confused with you changing it to protect her identity and thought Max was just calling her Sarah for reasons known only to himself. Which I guess would be a whole OTHER kind of fetish.

[ozma]

Is this why the rich people seem happier? I love the way you make it sound kinda evil--like: I pay money to people to take my kids off my hands. And if they'll do it for free, hell yes. Dang, I do that all the time. But now that I think about it I feel kind of evil too.

I pay people money to PLAY with my kid. So I can do things I want to do and not play with her. It sounds so bad but it feels so good.

Invite? Yes, if there's any left. I assume I don't share your last name because I've got one of those ethnic last names. Are you secretly ethnic?

[MelissaS]

I don't know, I think it's okay to be selfish sometimes.

I got a letter from one of the Uber-Volunteers which explained she would love a morning to herself but she's working all FIVE days at Vacation Bible School.

And at first I felt guilty, like Jesus, who am I? But then I thought, "If you want a morning to yourself why are you volunteering to work at VBS all five days?"

That's stupid. Don't be pissed at me because I'm smarter than you.

[cvarkey]

I keep thinking that our daycare costs will be gone once our child is in school and then I remember - summer day camps!!!

I'd take a Vox invite and even though I am not sure what your last name is, I am positive it's not the same as mine. Unless you are Indian. Or married to one.

[abqchunk]

I can't believe they would even imply that you can't send your kids unless you volunteer. The whole point is to reach kids and families and SHOW them about God. Not a very good example you Presbyterians! I'm Pentecostal and we're so charismatic and out there so I'm sure they will just think I'm crazy anyway.
Good Luck w/the rest of summer!

[MelissaS]

I guess they're not going to turn anyone away. Methinks my inside source is feeling bitter about the fact that she's working all five days and other people will have five days to themselves so she's implying it's required.

I could be wrong. Next year I'm using the Catholic's VBS. ;-)

[Steph]

No, I don't think you're wrong. She's annoyed that she's given up her whole five days and some of us are reluctant about volunteering at all.

[Undomestic]

My son's name is Max. And I have a Sara (her real name) who comes 3 days a week to help out. Enjoyed the connection.

[clickmom]

Volunteering is why my kids did not go to the highly touted and very recommended parent run cooperative nursery school. I needed the break, and was willing to pay double for it. Let's be real.