Party Crashing

Since I began teaching college courses, I’ve had one rule that some other instructors found a bit odd. I don’t allow students to “friend” me on Facebook.

Call me old-fashioned, but for me, Facebook is like a big ‘ole window into my living room…a place I want to keep far, far away from student interaction.

This semester, I caved, thinking I could just adjust my privacy settings and be done with it. I very quickly discovered that my aversion to “friending” students was less about my privacy, more about the protection of my own feelings.

Amazing how much pure hatred can come out of a college student’s keyboard when they are told to stop texting in class. Ouch.

Now that the privacy settings are back to “You ain’t seeing nuthin’,” I’ve been thinking about how in the world I can raise a child who shows a bit more class and dignity. And I don’t like the answer…

I’ve got to step it up.

For the past 28 years, life has been one big Lindsay Party. Granted, I’ve accomplished some pretty big things that required a lot of work…but in the process, I’ve definitely slipped off the moral high road from time to time.

There are 579 trajillion parenting books out there, but I can’t seem to find one entitled “How to Raise Ethical, Responsible, Honest, Friendly, Respectful Leaders when you’re Quite Certain that You do not Even Qualify for Such Distinction: The Condensed Version.”

But if you run across it, could you grab a copy for me?

I’m pretty sure that if I had this book, it would tell me exactly what I expect: Children learn through example. So I have 5 ½ months to practice setting the example I want to be for the lemon. I’m not sure what Mandela or Socrates or even Brad & Angelina have to say on the matter, but my first draft goes like this:

1) Hug your husband. In front of your child. All the time.
2) Tell the truth.
3) Be amazed at the beauty of every living thing.
4) Be kind…a lot. Even when it sucks to be kind.

I’m sure there are many, many more items to add…and I will. But these four little things are enough to keep me busy for a while.

Just don’t judge me if you see me breaking one from time to time. I’m a work in progress. ☺