Julie Pippert: Using My Words

Disclosure statement: SeaWorld did not commission this post nor did they compensate me for it. However, I did receive free admission to the park. If I am honest, I do not actually look that forward to December. Oh I try, but I am usually dragged under by endeavoring to make this the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. People can say simplify and say no, which is good advice, but even with a lot of simplification and no-ing, this is still a month that gets to feeling like a 300 pound ape on your chest by oh say December 16. One thing I have grown to look forward to, though, this time of year, is our family's annual trek to SeaWorld San Antonio . It's cool, the park is decked out to the holiday nines, and there are loads of special events. Before that, though, I get to camp out in the park with some people I really, really like. And this is a story best told in pictures...of all the things we did... We started with a Polar Plunge. I know, everyone says blah blah blah Polar Plu...

When my daughter was in kindergarten, a boy friend kissed her. To my mind, both kids were equally a part of the kiss because it was mutual--they were playing Marriage, and had just pretended a wedding. To me, it was play. Nobody grabbed anyone or coerced anyone and nobody felt threatened or worried or bad. They even had a discussion about it in advance and decided cheek would do even if grownups did lips. But others felt differently. The boy's mom was horrified, or maybe terrified? She imposed a severe consequence on him and had the school do the same. She apologized to me and made the boy apologize to my daughter. One thing I know: this lady is a fantastic mom with wonderful kids. One thing I understand: we do have a rape culture and I deeply appreciate boy moms who work hard to teach boys about respect and consideration of girls. One thing I believe: we have to do something to improve how our boys and girls interact. That means effort with both boys and girls. Preferabl...