Consider yourself warned!
A guide for those who think they want children.
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I know I usually blog about my kids. But today, I can’t. Movie wise, this past weekend was one for the history books. This, was a Black Panther weekend!
Now, my kids and I enjoy seeing Marvel and DC Comic movies. Usually my son and I will go together. My daughter may grace us with her presence if its a Thor movie, or Thor is in it. However, with Black Panther, I couldn’t wait for the weekend to see it. To the dismay of both my kids, I had to see Black Panther on opening day. Unfortunately for them, opening day was on a school night (my son saw the movie with his friends Friday afternoon. My daughter and I saw it together on Sunday). One of the things I love about living in New York City is the availability of the midnight show. Some movies are so highly anticipated that you just can’t wait for opening day. Black Panther was one of them. Now, mind you, my girlfriends and I had already planned on going to the midnight show for this movie. I mean with all that delicious chocolatey eye candy, why wait? Imagine our surprise and joy when we found out that earlier shows were available! That meant that not only did we get to see the movie before midnight, we would make it home at a halfway decent hour. After all, some people had to work the next day (I took the day off. I didn’t want to miss the chance to have a four day weekend). Anyway, my girlfriends and I went to the 10:30 pm showing Thursday night in Manhattan. We went to one of those theaters where you can pick your seats. Luckily for us, I got online early enough where I was able to reserve four seats in the last row, dead center. I felt as if I had hit the lottery. We met up at the theater, sat in our seats, and watched about three hours of previews. I’m only joking. It was probably closer to thirty minutes, but it damn sure felt like three hours. Then, the movie started. There was a hush over the theater. Now, I don’t know about your usual movie theater experience, but when you see a popular movie in certain neighborhoods, you can expect some audience interaction. Black Panther was one of those movies where I expected so much audience participation that I had already had it in my head that I would have to see the movie at least two more times so I can see what I missed the first time. But shockingly, the audience was strangely quiet throughout this movie. Everyone was so engrossed that you could actually hear the conversations on the screen! That is a testament to the greatness of this movie. This was a movie where young boys of color did not see themselves portrayed as hustlers, drug dealers, and thugs. In this movie, they saw themselves as honorable men, working with and respecting women, while caring about the welfare of their people. This was a movie where young girls of color didn’t see themselves as welfare moms, hookers, or drug addicts, but as scientists and warriors, fighting besides, and not against the men in their community. This was a movie with positive role models of color. Even the so called villain in this movie had a noble cause. He wanted to help raise his people out of their oppression and give them a chance to overthrow their oppressors. He just envisioned a different means to the end. Overall, this movie was all I expected it to be and more. The acting was awesome, the scenery was spectacular, and the story was powerful. This is one of the times when I wished my kids were still little. I would love to dress them up as the Black Panther and a Dora Milaje for Halloween. In fact, this Halloween, don’t be surprised to see your block lined with mini Black Panthers and Dora Milaje. Just make sure you have your candy ready. And … Consider Yourself Warned!
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When I was a teenager, I loved my boyfriend. When I was dating, I loved my boyfriend. When I got married, I loved my husband. During those times in my life, I thought I knew what love really was. All that changed when I had children. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the men in my life, as well as my parents, family members, and extended family. But, I can honestly say that I never really knew what love was … until I had my kids.
I remember the first time I held my son. I looked at that precious little face and was instantly in love. I loved (and still love) that little baby with all my heart and soul. When he was about a year old, he would stand on the bed, flash that beautiful smile, and give me a big hug. I would hug him back and say, “I love you too!” I could kill for that kid. I would die for that kid. I finally understood what true love really feels like. Then, seventeen months later, his sister came and I understood what the old people meant when they said that your love multiplies when you have more than one child. I held that little girl close to my heart, and my heart melted all over again. I would dress her up in the cute little outfits, do her hair, and give her a big hug. She was (and still is) my mini me. My kids know that I love them. I tell them every day. I tell them because it is something that I honestly feel, and because I want them to know that someone in this world loves them. I want them to feel special. Luckily for them, they are surrounded with love. They have their father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family all showering love on them. And I see the effect that all this love has on them. They themselves are truly loving people. They are kind to their friends, kind to each other (for the most part), and loving towards me. They are all in all, good kids. As we enter this holiday season, it is easy to buy presents for our kids. We can get caught up on buying them things that they really do not need. But the one thing that we need to remember to give them is love. This generation needs to know that they are loved and valued. So, if you have kids in your life, whether they are your natural born kids, God children, relatives, or your friend’s kids, let them know they are loved and that you believe in them. And spend time with them. I mean quality time. It so easy to do and you don’t have to spend a lot of money either. Quality time can be something as simple as watching a movie together on Netflix and then talking about it. It can be going to your kid’s soccer game, cheering him or her on, and discussing the game. It can be as simple as talking about a book you both have read (my daughter and I are currently reading the Game of Thrones series. Its interesting hearing her opinions of the different characters). Love and time are gifts that we can give our kids today and every day. So, if you didn’t know what to give a kid this year … now you know. Trust me, the return on your investment is awesome! |
SassyGirlTye lives with her two wonderful teenagers in Brooklyn, New York. No matter what she says in her posts, she truly loves her children with all her heart.
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