Pizza is bad for you too when you really think about it.

Last night at family pizza night with beer and pizza and children all at once. We ate the pizza away from the children because we didn't want them to see us consuming so much cheese at one sitting.

Me: "I thought it was good. She talked pretty fairly about what's good about it and what the risks can be."

Her: "Yeah. Plus she never mentioned the beer bong and body shots. Phew."

This is a good place to apologize to people who use AOL, because after my time at Blogging Baby I started to think that AOLers were a little light-brained. Mostly because every time there was a Britney story on the site and AOL picked it up the comments would be along the lines of "BRITNEY IS A HORE!!!!!" or "Stop picking on Britney ur all stopid!!"

From that sampling, I thought AOLers weren't the smartest bulbs in the pack. Or maybe they were smart, but just didn't like to think beyond the caps key.

Given that assumption of mine, you can imagine how I cringed when the kids and I got back home yesterday afternoon and there were 32 emails from AOL users in my inbox. I started reading and the reaction was overwhelmingly positive and even the ones writing to tell me how very wrong I am were gentle enough and well thought out that, although I still disagree with their basic premise, they gave me pause to consider why I dismiss their basic premise.

I had an epiphany while reading all the email I've been getting. Someone wrote me about how she just couldn't set a good example for her teenaged son if she drank at all and she warned me it would be the same for me.

So I replied, "Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad you found what works for you and your family. Good luck!"

And that's really all that needs to be said.

Comments

[msadventures]

No offense to current AOL users, but ever since I dumped AOL I've felt a whole lot smarter. ;)

"So I replied, "Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad you found what works for you and your family. Good luck!"

And that's really all that needs to be said."

Exactly. People can debate and justify and complain and point fingers and whatever else all day long, but at the end of the day, that's what it all comes down to.

[Tess]

I've been reading your website off and on for about a year now, but haven't commented (too lazy to create a typekey account). Anyway, just wanted to say that I think you are awesome, Melissa. Thanks for sharing your life here. I very much enjoy reading your blog.

And I think it's perfectly fine to drink in moderation around children. Children who grow up around adults who drink responsibly and have healthy attitudes towards alcohol are probably less likely to go crazy in high school and college. Anyway, that's it for my first comment. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.

[annulla]

I read the story in the Times, came here to take a look and (sigh) arrived just in time to find out that pizza eating is something that has to be hidden from kids. Suddenly I am consumed with shame. Not only have I eaten pizza in front of children, I've actually (gasp) urged them to eat it with me. Please don't hate me.

[Kaz]

Stop picking on pizza ur all stopid!!

;)

Actually, we don't mind our daughter eating pizza with us. She doesn't eat that much, and the pizza around here isn't all that cheesy anyhow.

[jonbeckett]

Pizza is the food of the d3v1l lol...

I like it. I know it's expensive, and bad for me, but I still like it. I also like ice cream in a totally un-natural way :)

[virginia]

We had pizza last night too. I don't mind the kids (and their friends) eating pizza as long as they do it at home where they are safe ;-)

[FlippyO]

Aren't you afraid of driving in front your kids? After all, they're too young to drive and might think it's okay to do it if you do it.

My cousin tried to steal her dad's car once. She put it in gear, and drove it directly into the garage door. I believe it may have been some sort of vintage Jaguar. I blame him for driving it in front of her though.

[ozma]

It's good to drink on a regular basis. Builds up your tolerance for alcohol. And that's good for your kids. You won't be passing out at their wedding or dancing on the tables. They'll thank you for that one day.

[far and away the farthest]

I don't like self righteousness. I dislike just as much the mass delusion that we live in such a dangerous world. I think that is just wrong.

Bad things happen every day in this country, but by and large most of us are safe from harm. We are in less danger of flying out of control because of alcohol or drugs than we are of being in a car accident -- and most of those are not fatal.

Living in the time of Ghengis Khan, now that was scary. Living in places where wars surround you and rage first in one direction and then the other while you and your family are caught in the crossfire -- that is horrific. Living in places where people rush into the streets to burn and attack and destroy -- that is chilling. Living in some village where there is no clean water and your neighbors and your children are dying of cholera, typhoid fever or starvation -- that is a fearful life.

We are so safe. We endure fewer hardships and heartbreaks and threats than most of the world's people face every day of their lives. We need to get some perspective.

[Jos]

Hi. I have been enjoying your site for a few weeks, not sure how I found you, maybe Fussy.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know I added you to my site links, if you mind, let me know.

Also. Love your writing! I don't have children, but I am totally with you on your perspectives of child rearing. I never understand why other people get so bent out of shape and crazy-uptight. Go figure.

Best Wishes ~ Jos

[frecklegirl]

I love your site!
and since I have 2 children and my friends have none we pretty much drink when we are together but they definatly drink more than I do well sometimes?
anyway jsut wanted to say i love your blog

[KfK]

So far my children haven't picked up on my modelling behavior of brushing my teeth everyday, cleaning my room, not leaving food all over the floor, looking both ways before crossing the street, or using a daily moisturizer. I think they'll be just as oblivious to the cocktail I may or may not have tonight.