I'm just amazed that parents don't care what their kids listen to...

[HeyIt'sMe]

This isn't about music but rather a DVD.

My boss has always given my DD DVDs. Well, when she was 8 years old he gave her the movie "Mean Girls" which was rated PG-13. I think he figured since Lindsay Lohan was in it then it was OK. I didn't let her watch it because I wanted to check it out first. I turned it off when the characters started calling each other (rhymes with) ditches and floors.

 

[Pikester]

My DH had a little shock when he went to pick up our DS12 at a dance that he was attending at the local Moose Club. Out on the dance floor were a bunch of 5th, 6th and 7th graders dancing and singing at the top of their lungs to Crazy ***** by Buckcherry.

 

[mjkacmom]

By no means am I flaming you but kids listen to the music that is hip at that time, and most times they aren't taking the lyrics literally. When I was 10, I was listening to Bell Biv Devoe's song "Do me", Madonna's "Like a virgin" and George Micheal's "I want you Sex". I had no idea what it actually meant or rather didn't ever think about it. I just liked the beat. Luckily, my parents morals and values allowed me to make the decisions in my life, not the music I listened to

Agreed. I was just at a fundraiser last night for dd's irish dance studio, and the DJ was playing Lady Gaga, and the kids ranged in age from 3 - 18. A lot of my favorite songs at that age had bad lyrics - I just didn't know at the time. I don't censor books, either. And I can tell you, the kids hear MUCH worse at school.

I don't think it was until I was an adult, watching Grease, an 8 track I listened to all of the time in elementary school , what the implication was a of "real ***** wagon."

 

[Topper]

Just a vent - no need to be flamed here...

I'm not going to flame you, but disclaimers like yours are of no use. You are judging people and asking them not to judge you in return. It doesn't work in real life, nor does it work on the internet.

 

[AtlantaSue]

I am mom to DDs, 10 and 12. I raise them to have good morals, to think of others, to represent our family well, all of those things. But I do not censor their music and do not have a problem w/ them listening to Lady Gaga. We are only familiar w/ her from the radio, and have never looked at the written lyrics, and really have no desire to do so.

I think if my girls went off of some really "dark" music tangent, I might get concerned, but otherwise--no. My sister was 10 years older than I was growing up, and at 12 I too listened (and loved!) albums w/ lyrics not necessarily age appropriate (lots of Rod Stewart songs come to mind....) But I am so grateful that my parents didn't interfere--music has always been such a source of enjoyment in my life!!! And I can honestly say that listening to such lyrics in no way affected my morals. Thus far, I can say the same for my girls. I have to say, sometimes the country tunes that my DD10 latches onto disturb me a little--anyone familiar w/ the black dress song?--but I just don't have the heart to ruin it for her. By next month, it won't be played as much and she will have forgotten all about it.

Interesting topic, though. I know the opinions on this are widely varied!

 

[hentob]

I guess my question is—Do young folks really buy CD’s anymore? I would think an itunes gift card would be a more popular gift

- it'll be interesting to see if we get the same present or not - I'm afraid it may end up in the trash during the party.

Why would you do that? To hurt the feelings of the child that gave the present? It would be a tad more polite to thank the child, tuck the gift away, and then talk to your daughter about it when you got home

 

[HelenePA]

Eh I was never banned for listening to any music growing up (even rap!) and I dont see me doing it to my kids. They know how to go on itunes and listen to the stuff we have downloaded (I dont know the last time I bought a CD.) They listen to stuff from the 60's all the way up today.

 

[Becky2005]

I wonder if there were older siblings in the home. I have found the older my kids get the harder it is to keep things "G" rated around my younger ones!

That's for sure! My oldest is 16 -- my youngest is 6!!! I just look at DD when he will start singing "her" songs and shake my head. I did try to keep him less exposed when he was home -- when the big kids weren't home, if we were watching TV, he was only allowed to watch the preschool shows as I knew as soon as the other kids walked in the door, the big kid shows would be on. He's in Kindergarten now.

I'm pretty sure compared to the other kids that are the oldest of the family, he seems older to their parents.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Not flaming you, however, I do think you were in the wrong to bring the lyrics to the mother of the birthday girl. I think that is butting in just a bit too much. A quick "have you listened to the lyrics" would have been fine to alert the mom this may be something she might want to look into. But actually getting the lyrics and showing them to the mom- a bit over the top.


As for Lady GaGa herself, have you heard her early music, when she went by her real first name? She is classically trained and has a pretty decent voice.

YOu could be right - but I wanted the mom to see the lyrics right then -not let the kids listen to it for the the rest of the night 'cause she hadn't gotten around to checking it out herself. This way she probably put an end to that CD right away.

I have never said Lady Gaga wasn't taleted - I've watched a couple interviews she's done (GMA or Today show) I knew she was supposed to go to someplace like Julliard but in my book just because she's a great composer, piano player, etc doesn't mean I condone her music

 

[sunnyday123]

I gave up worrying about music when, at my DD's 8th grade field day, the nuns did a line dance to "Crank Dat" by Soulja Boy.

Please tell me you have video.

Music doesn't give you morals or doesn't make you do bad things. I listened to Eric Clapton growing up ( thanks to a really cool Aunt!) and while I sang along to "Cocaine" wasn't persuaded to ever try it.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Just a vent - no need to be flamed here...

DD went to her gf's b'day party tonight - the b'day girl got Lady Gaga's CD as a present. When I walked in they were blaring it & singing it @ the top of their lungs. At 12!!
The mom of dd's friend didn't have a clue who Lady Gaga was & thus had no idea that the songs were bad - so I took the lyrics & showed her.

I'm just wonder if the mom of the kid who gave the gift is just clueless too or just doesn't care? The child (who I've never met before tonight) is invited to dd's party next week - it'll be interesting to see if we get the same present or not - I'm afraid it may end up in the trash during the party.

I don't think I'm really on top of things (hip or whatever the terminology is nowadays) but L.G is on tv ALL the time - maybe they don't watch tv

I've never heard any of her songs, so I wouldn't know, but I'd definitely find out before I gave it to a child.

I hope you were not serious when you said you'd throw the gift away during the party.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Would you really throw away a birthday gift someone gave your child at the party while the child/guest is still there? That is a really hurtful thing to do to someone else's child.

I listen to some of Lady Gaga's songs, so therefore my 3 and 8 year old also listen to them. I don't think that means I am clueless or a parent that doesn't care. I am very conservative when buying a present for another person's child, so I probably wouldn't buy this cd for a birthday gift. However, I do think you overstepped by bringing the lyrics to the other parent as I think it is up to each parent to determine what is right for their own children to listen to. And I am sorry, but if you would really show your child that is ok to throw away a present that someone gave her AT THE PARTY, you are teaching her worse things than having her know a couple Lady Gaga lyrics.

Oh good grief! Did you see this "smilie" it was used there.... What do you think I'd do? say Wait hold the party...Rach has given this AWFUL NO GOOD TRASHY cd to Amy & I must run & throw away ASAP & please watch while I do so....

REALLY? COME ON! Just 'cause I don't like the music doesn't mean I don't have some tact...and common sense -

 

[luvmyfam444]

The second one I am thinking and hoping is jsut a typo. You wouldn't throw the CD away DURING the party where the giver's feeligs would be hurt would you? Surely you mean AFTER the confused3

Well, no its not a typo - it's called sarcasm - guess I don't know how to type sarcasm so it can be read correctly on the DIS - I thought that little smiley would help - guess I'm clueless!

 

[Vixen]

My DH took my 13 year old to see her with 1 other friends a few months back. I have no problem with it. My girls 12 and 13 read the twilight books a few yers back before they became super popular, they watch gossip girl. Sex and guns and other stuff doesn't bother me at all. My kids know what sex is and they know what guns are. We keep the news on pretty much all day and they see what is going on in the world and it does include stories of sex even from our former president.

iI also can't wait til my son turns 17 so he can go buy his own video games, I think that is ridiculous. He can drive a car but can't buy a halo game unless I physically go down there and biuy it for him? Stupid

I would give shooter games to close friends or if my son said it would be something they would like.

I wouldnt give a CD to someone mostly because everyone has their own taste in music and most prefer an itunes giift card. Also there are some of theose parents out there that get really offended that I am not june cleaver and am so laid back.

I also text my kids during school hours to pass on pick up info to them. I need my very own bad parent thread.

you are just like my mom was!

 

[luvmyfam444]

I gave up worrying about music when, at my DD's 8th grade field day, the nuns did a line dance to "Crank Dat" by Soulja Boy.

HA HA HA! That would have been hilrious to see - that sounds like a great youtube video.... I'm assuming it was the CLEAN version

 

[Christine]

HA HA HA! That would have been hilrious to see - that sounds like a great youtube video.... I'm assuming it was the CLEAN version

I can't even remember what version it was. I just remember being stunned at the time. Wish I did have a video!

 

[luvmyfam444]

If that's what the girl wanted, and I OKed it with the mom first, then yes. Maybe the moms had already talked about it?

Not in this case - they had never met until she was dropped off at the party

 

[krcit]

Eh, I don't go crazy with the music. Half the time they don't even know what is being sung. I remember loving Paradise by the Dashboard Light as a kid, listening to my brothers Rolling Stones records. I turned out ok.

I never thought too much of GaGa until I saw her on Ellen just playing the piano and singing. She's actually pretty talented. I don't love the videos but my kids don't watch them(when I'm around) so whatever.

 

[kidzmom3]

I don't censor my kids music or reading material. I do somewhat censor television, but if they really want to watch something. I let them, we do it together, and have a discussion about it. My personal opinion is that when you makes things taboo, they become more attractive to kids.

 

[NHdisneylover]

YOu could be right - but I wanted the mom to see the lyrics right then -not let the kids listen to it for the the rest of the night 'cause she hadn't gotten around to checking it out herself. This way she probably put an end to that CD right away.

I have never said Lady Gaga wasn't taleted - I've watched a couple interviews she's done (GMA or Today show) I knew she was supposed to go to someplace like Julliard but in my book just because she's a great composer, piano player, etc doesn't mean I condone her music

If she truly wanted to look at the lyriss she was capable of doing it without your intervention though. To me it seems you rally forced her hand. After you first commented on the lyrics and then brought her the lyrics (rather than dropping the topic when she did not seem all that concerned which would have been appropriate in my opinion) you left her with only two options:
1. To tell you she agrees with you and shut off the music. Leaving you to criticize her for not being more proactive in censoring her kid's music.
2. To tell you she disagrees with you even though you are obviously very critical of her for doing so at that point.
BOTH end up with you having criticized your host at the party and I guess most people would rather have option one and have you feel that they just missed somehting than have you openly critical of their parenting choices at the party--regardless of how they actually feel.
If I had been the host and you had let me know that you are particularly concerend about what your DD listens to and asked me nicely to steer the girls to music you did not object to I would have been very happy to do so. If you had done what you did I would have told you that you were welcome to take your DD home.

As for the sarcasm--sorry it really did not come off to me in that way (even upon rereading). I usually catch sarcasm but not this time. Others appear to have missed it as well.

I guess my question is—Do young folks really buy CD’s anymore? I would think an itunes gift card would be a more popular gift

They do. DS and DD still both buy them inspite of their parents begging them to just have digital and not take up space in the house I am one of those bad moms who lets them buy and listen to what they want (well, they can buy it if they have money) too. Luckily DS's best friend who loves music the way he does has parents who feel the same way. Those boys send each other music and youtube links to videos all the time.