I don't CARE!!!!!

@dawnald (85146)
Shingle Springs, California
December 6, 2010 1:48pm CST
Well you know how children are. One day you're the best parent on the planet, and the next day you're pond scum. We bought them a laptop on black Friday, and they were so happy to have another computer in the house that works well. Yesterday Dearra was on the laptop and Cary was on the desktop, and Naomi suggested that we needed to go out and buy another so that "everybody" would have a computer. Apparently she's as math challenged as I am, since there are 5 people in the house, and that would make only 3 computers (not counting Dearra's old one which is "too slow" and the 2 older ones that nobody ever turns on). So I pointed out that we didn't have computers when I was growing up. "I don't care". And I also pointed out that we didn't have cell phones. "I don't care". And that we didn't have video recording devices and dvd players. "I don't care". And that we only had a handful of TV stations. "I don't care". Methinks little miss Naomi needs a trip to a third world country so that she can see how people who are poor live. What do you all think?
11 people like this
46 responses
@saphrina (31551)
• South Africa
6 Dec 10
mmmmmmmm. NO PHONE. NO PC OR LAPTOP, NO TV. NO NOTHING THAT MAKES LIFE EASY. A month?
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
Oh she will drive me nuts if it's that long....
1 person likes this
@saphrina (31551)
• South Africa
6 Dec 10
Convent?
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
She will drive the nuns nuts...
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100526)
• India
6 Dec 10
Dawny sweetie - there is something funny going on here... I mean if you'd sell those old "slow" systems to third world people, there would be some poor who would get access to computers even if it were "slow", and was not switched on for a long time! Then you be left with enough room, and money to buy a new computer for little miss Naomi. :)
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
Know anybody who wants one?
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100526)
• India
6 Dec 10
Honestly sweetie - you can start a business - organize some logistics, have a quality control though - select nice old PCs, and Laptops and sell them to people in third world countries... trust me there is ample demand for rightly priced stuff. :)
2 people like this
• United States
6 Dec 10
You can list them on listia and or ebay I would think, no??
2 people like this
@sizzle3000 (3036)
• United States
7 Dec 10
I think that's kind of cute. My kid used to do that to me all the time. I thought that she needed to learn a lesson too. But here is where I learned a lesson. Once they get to high school and get a job, and you tell them they gotta pay thier own cell phone bills and whatever other high end expensive thing they want. Kids learn fast, "O my parents were right."
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
yeah I realize she will learn that stuff eventually...
• United States
6 Dec 10
What do you mean they do not care.. ahahaha.. LOL Of course how can anyone care when they have not experienced.. Just wait to the day they have to buy their own. Do you think they would care then?? Then what will they do then?? LOL
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
She'll care. She'll care more, anyway. :D
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
At least it was just food, and not a $500 gadget!!!
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
6 Dec 10
reminds me of my son here when he was a teen about 15yrs. he could eat 5 big macs and ask for more and when id tell him he could only have 2 he'd act like we were starving him. and thats when they were actually big, big macs. now im lucky if he dont say, well we got food at home we should eat up. instead of buying out. since he buys his own now
1 person likes this
• China
7 Dec 10
This is a good idea.Inthe third world countries,many families do not have television,computers,mobile phones.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
And certainly not one per person per family!!!
@EKOBERNIE (264)
• United States
6 Dec 10
Hello That is why our grandparents had a lot of kids, nothing else to do at night lol. Where do you consider third world countries may I ask. thanks erik
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
OH I don't know, I was thinking a poor area in Mexico. That's actually close enough to drive to....
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
long, long time ago I went through New Mexico with my parents. I've been to AZ quite a lot in the last few years.
@marguicha (223720)
• Chile
7 Dec 10
Gardens at the History Museum in Ciudad de México - Ciudad de México, the biggest city in the world, has beauties for all tastes. Precolumbian if you wish, up to modern skyscrapers in downtown area. 
This garden belongs to the palace that once housed Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico and his family.
Mexico has an awesome culture. Poor people are everywhere. I´ve seen a lot in the US but that does not make them a 3rd world country. Or does it? Have you driven through Arizona and New Mexico by car? I have a couple of times. Quite an interesting journey, by the way.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
7 Dec 10
Maybe living like you had to for a week would make her change her mind...or maybe she could do a week a breeze knowing she is getting the stuff back soon..so wouldn't be no true knowledge what it was like to do without?
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
I think seeing people who are really without anything would be good medicine.
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
6 Dec 10
or to be kicked off and put on the slow one again...
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
6 Dec 10
my suggestion, find a geek, take the 2 that never get turned on, the slow one and see if they can't cobble together another one...
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
I think I'll donate the really old ones, but the slow one could probably be speeded up... Maybe I'll donate that one to R. :D
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
heck they won't even touch the slow one any more...
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 10
Kids are always the same all over and when they want something they won't stop asking/nagging until they get what their hearts desire. Who cares whether you have money or not. I always tell my daughter that money doesn't grow on trees so be reasonable when asking for new stuff. Malaysia is categorized under third world countries but she won't get much lesson coming here as she might be shocked to find the kids world parks here are no difference from back home. And limousines are used as taxis in our roads.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
Maybe in some of the poorer areas....
6 Dec 10
Hi dawn, Me thinks kids thinks money grows on trees, take every gadgets they have away for one day and see how they will cope, we used to read books when we were young and played outside then have tea do our homework and then bed. Notice the expensive grown up toys the kids have today? though computers were for grown ups only lol! Tamara
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
I'd like to introduce her to my children's literature collection. But when I try, I usually get the response, "old books"....
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Dec 10
Actually - Jamrock may have possibly slipped into the fourth world whilst no one else was looking. But send her please - I will take good care of her and expose her to some of the conditions in which people live. I would not show her the worst - just some things
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
Tempting, tempting. I might have to come with her though. :D
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
yeah yeah and you all have dreadlocks and say "hey mon"....
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Dec 10
Great - and bring the old computers when you come. Remember to bring towels as we use dried banana leaves and they can be a bit scratchy
1 person likes this
@sasalove (1709)
• China
7 Dec 10
Wow, you can open an internet bar at your home while you have almost owned one computer. LOL. Just kidding. I think you spoiled your children. Whenever they want something, you will try your best to give anything they want. Once this habit is formed, they know that they could get it no matter whether it will work. I think they will think you are the best parent only at that moment, but after that, I don’t think so. They will regard everything for granted. When they confront the frustration or the depression, I don’t think they have the capability to handle it except for calling their parents. I think parents should discipline their kids when they don’t’ fully have their own judgements. I think it would be great to take them to see how the poor live and lead them to help.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
OH they don't nearly get everything that they want. Not nearly.
@velvet53 (22534)
• Palisade, Colorado
7 Dec 10
If my boys would of used the 'I don't care ' attitude they sure would of been going without.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
Well that certainly isn't getting her a laptop, but then she wasn't getting another one anyway! :D
• United States
7 Dec 10
Maybe you should try taking away those devices for a whole week and they will have to come up to do with stuff on their own instead.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
Would it be worth listening to the whining I wonder?
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
7 Dec 10
Lol Dawn you will not win that argument I never did lol That is Kids for you today, but yes maybe showing her how the poor live might work but then again making her live there for a while will work better lol
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
7 Dec 10
Lol yep sounds about right
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
8,000 years ago: "But mom, I don't want bronze. The in crowd has copper."
1 person likes this
@34momma (13882)
• United States
8 Dec 10
I think she should go without a computer, cellphone, and cable for a week. Then find other ways to entertain herself like we did when we grew up. we played together, not group text. we sent hand written letters, not emails. we were not over weight, because we were outside running and playing, not sitting on the computer, video game, or tv for hours and hours!!! Got damn kids.. i have three of my own!! they have no idea. but they already know, don't ask me for another anything cause that's just not going to happen!! LOL
@34momma (13882)
• United States
8 Dec 10
oh theres a concept for these kids!!! READ A DAMN BOOK!!!! LOL LOL
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
8 Dec 10
Sure, but not my OLD books.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
8 Dec 10
She doesn't have a cell phone, but I told her there wasn't going to be another laptop in her future. I suggested she have a look at the rather large library I have upstairs. :D
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
18 Dec 10
Methinks you should tell Naomi that when you were growing up children didn't sound off to their parents. That when you were growing up you didn't have a Naomi and life was good. When dshe says, I don't care, store it away for the next time she complains about something then return it to her.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
19 Dec 10
Yeah, I know that. You're a good Mum...certainly more patient and tolerant than I ever am.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Dec 10
I kind of like that they feel free to sound off - to a point. And when that point comes, I will make sure they know it's not acceptable.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
6 Dec 10
"I don't care." (That was too facile, wasn't it?)
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
6 Dec 10
Yeah, I guess I used up all my brain-power for today writing cheery notes in my Christmas cards.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
That can get mind numbing after a while!
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
You've done better before. :D
@much2say (55901)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Dec 10
Ha ha. She reminds me of Pierre, the boy who didn't care (kids book by Maurice Sendak - one of my favorites). http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064432521/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0060259655&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1GS6XSES7D6HVCZ06BT3#reader_0064432521 ANYWAY. Apparently Prince Buddha was sheltered and living the good life with everything being handed to him. And boy were his eyes opened when he finally saw the realities of the world. Hey, maybe you guys need a "good" black out - hee hee. My daughter learned just how much we rely on electricity just a few months ago - no tv, no computer, no anything (no light - it was in the early evening). Yep, sometimes they have to experience "the other side" for themselves in order to understand!!!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
maybe during daylight hours. :D
@much2say (55901)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Dec 10
Go camping - hee hee!!
1 person likes this
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Dec 10
I don't think I cared much either, when my mom told me they didn't have a car, or even a horse, to ride to school. They had to walk barefoot in four feet of snow, until their feet started freezing, then they'd trade with the sister/brother who had the only pair of shoes. I never did get a car to take to school. I eventually bought my own...and had to pay the insurance... My guess is Naomi may be doing the same...(unless Mom gives in...)
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
Nobody gave me a car when I was a teenager. I ended up buying one when I was in my 20's and out on my own. R seems to think it's our responsibility to give the children a car when they turn 16. In fact, that seems to be higher on his radar than college. I have no problem with providing a safe, used car for them IF I CAN AFFORD IT, but I don't consider it an obligation.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Dec 10
Ah yes, the roomy, zoomy Rambler! I bought my 1971 (or was it 1973) LTD in 1982 for $600 from a little old lady who only drove it Sundays. It was low mileage at any rate. Had some kind of a problem with the alternator where it wasn't strong enough to keep the battery charged. Fun, fun. Sold it to a man for $650 a couple of years later. lol
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Dec 10
I was in my teens when I bought my first 1954 Chevy. It kept falling apart on Interstate 70 (I was working in Denver (1967) for the summer between high school and college) and my aunt would have to come pick me up at 4 in the morning (I was working at Stapleton International Airport...as a maid!). She finally convinced me to upgrade before I went home at the end of summer. I bought a 1960 Ford Falcon...now there's a car! I used it for two years before buying a 1969 (used, but almost new) Mercury Cougar. I still have that car and she's a beauty. I had it totally restored in 1991. I love my Cougar! Mom and Dad bought us four kids an old Rambler to run around in... It sucked. When you stepped on the brake, the driver's seat would fall back and lay down and you couldn't see where you were going. We finally convinced them that the Rambler was dangerous and they bought a VW bug. My younger sisters got to drive it...I already had my car!
1 person likes this