Like It Is

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I am having more fun than I ever imagined setting up my new home for Like It Is! Wow. The WordPress.org version is completely neat!

This was the question Ann Landers asked in her famous survey. With shocking results.

In one of my recent articles I quoted the Ann Landers survey. You may or may not be aware that Ann Landers (you can do a search on her) was a popular advice columnist who wrote a regular column in the 1970’s. She wrote it for over 20 years, however one of her most famous articles was the one where she published the results of the question above. At the time I searched for the survey in its entirety but could only find references to it. When one of my commentators asked me if I knew where she could lay hands on the survey I started searching again, without much success. And then I stumbled across a link to Happily Childfree and amazingly, there was the Ann Landers survey!

It makes such interesting reading that I thought I would reference it again and share it with you here.

As has been noted – YES, it was done in the 70’s. BUT, many of the observations made by parents who wrote to Ann are, in my opinion, just as relevant today. In fact, today it seems even more difficult than ever to be a parent. And, as HCF points out, this was not a scientific survey. It didn’t need to be.

The point it makes is very simple.

Many people do not enjoy parenthood but they will only admit it under the cover of anonymity.

The fact that such a huge number felt they would not have children if they had to do it again (a shocking 70%) may boggle the mind at first, but when I think of it, I (and I would guess many childfree people) probably shouldn’t be that surprised. Or should we? Some of the reasons the respondents gave were the very reasons that I decided I didn’t want to have children. Still, 70%!! Ann admitted that the number shocked even her. And she thought she’d seen and heard everything.

No, what is more shocking (even today) is the fact that the dirty little secret is covered up, complete with a conspiracy of silence by parents, while women are continually advised that they need to have children in order to be “real women” derided if they decide not to, and badgered into believing that parenthood is, or should be, their ultimate wonderful goal and that without children they aren’t really a “family”. For some, I don’t doubt parenthood is wonderful. But for everyone? Clearly it is not.
As Ann mentioned in her article and I quote:

“If it is true that a large percentage of the parents in this country are sorry they had children, why don’t we hear more from them? Because such an admission goes against the grain of what we have been taught is human nature. Parents are supposed to love their children no matter what. To speak disparagingly of one’s offspring is socially hazardous.

Trouble with a husband, on the other hand, is a common topic over teacups, luncheon tables, bridge hands and telephones. By the same token, a battle with the little woman is discussed candidly at bars and clubs—wherever men meet. Plain talk about marital problems is a national sport, because everyone knows no marriage is perfect. But parents who have trouble with their children are inclined to keep their mouths shut—unless their troubles have been in the newspapers, or the parents happen to be in the company of other parents who they know are having trouble with their children”.

I hope you enjoy reading the survey as much as I did. Thanks to Happily Childfree (who has a great site by the way and is listed in my Blogroll) for posting the survey.

The Skinny Jean that is. And, I have to say that on the right person they look pretty darn good. On the right person. With the right shape.

And what does this shape look like?

Errm… well. Super slim. But you aren’t surprised at that at all are you? Not at all. I’ve spotted a few people wearing them and, just as I said in my previous article the skinny jean has to be the most unforgiving pair of jeans ever. Except for their 80’s predecessors.

The women I saw wearing them Read the rest of this entry »

How about that? Childfree and invited to a baby shower!

Being invited to a baby shower is one thing. Deciding what you’re going to do about it is quite another. Especially if whoever is inviting you isn’t really a stranger. That you’ve been invited probably means that: Read the rest of this entry »

Had to share this one with you…

President Bush gets out of his helicopter
in front of the White House carrying a baby
pig under each arm.

The Marine guard snaps to attention,
salutes, and says: “Nice pigs, sir.”

Bush replies: “These are not pigs, these
are Texan Razorback Hogs. I got one for
Secretary of State Rice, and I got one
for Defence Secretary Rumsfeld.”

The Marine again snaps to attention,
salutes, and says, “Nice trade, sir.”

Want more? Here it is…

Calling All Movie Buffs was such a success and you made such great contributions that I’ve compiled a list of YOUR favourite film/movie quotes (and included a few more of my own ). So now you have to guess each other’s favourite quotes. I will highlight the ones that have gone as before, to help you spot the ones that are left. Look out for tips, hints and edits in both the post and comments. And if you want to see which bloggers provided which quotes, check out the comments in the original post. I can’t wait to answer some of these quotes…

Go for it – and have fun!

Edit!! October 13th- I’ve added some more of yours to the list! There are now85 and the list is almost full. I will add them to the list - up to 100 as Mosh suggested and highlight them when they’re gone. After that, you’ll need to keep your eyes on your comments to see who’s got what. Everyone’s invited to the movies!

1. “Fucking Cock-er-roach!”
2. “Those who can’t do, teach and those that can’t teach, teach gym.”
3. “When I meet Eisenhower, should I give the Nazi salute, or shake his hand?”
4. “You know, for kids.”
5. “You must be on stage when the curtain falls.”
6. [demonstrates faux karate moves] “they call that the quart-a-blood technique; you do that, a quart of blood drop out a man’s body.”
7. “Lewis, we’ve had presidents who were beloved, who couldn’t find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don’t drink the sand because they’re thirsty. They drink the sand because they don’t know the difference. “
8. “You’re the duke! You’re the duke! … buy you ain’t number one.” (at least that’s how I always heard the line)
9. I’ll have what she’s having” Read the rest of this entry »

And you can afford to have children. What’s the problem? Why aren’t you doing your duty and pro-creating? Or what about the sub text:

“Society needs stable working (at least initially) married people like you to have children”. Read the rest of this entry »

Fancy yourself a film (movie) buff? Think you know your stuff? Listed below are 40 memorable quotes… can you say which films (movies) they are from and who said them? Some quotes are a little more obscure than others, but all the films (movies) are very well known and, in most cases, classics.

Tip: if you’re offended by profanity, then best to stop reading right here.

Tip: Sometimes there is more than one quote from a movie! You can use any resources you feel you need to guess them. It can be hard dredging them up from memory I have seen every film in this list bar one, some many times - they are among my all time favourites.

Edit! Look out for the next post…

Edit!! All the ones that have gone are highlighted. Check the comments as well, so you’ll know which ones people have already guessed. Thank you for also sending in your favourite quotes… I am going to do a second compilation and include them, particularly since I won’t get them all! That way, others can guess them as well.

Have fun!

1. “I meant to do that…”
2. “Your husband ain’t dead lady, he’s hiding…”
3. “That ain’t right…” (Tip: Mal said it. The same character said “Mister, you ever seen what a Henry rifle can do in the hands of someone who knows how to use it?”)
4. “Yippee-ki-yay… motherfucker!!”
5. “Awright, we’ll call it a draw…”
6. “Where’s your Messiah now?”
7. “We’re on a mission from God…”
8. “I’ve got two words for you – “SHUT THE FUCK UP!!”
9. “Surely you can’t be serious.” “I am serious… and don’t call me Shirley.”
10. “You’ve got two modes of expression: Silence and rage…”
11. “You do know how to whistle, don’t ya? You just put your lips together and…blow”
12. “Here’s looking at you kid…”
13. “God Damn Army!”
14. “Round up the usual suspects…” (Add this first : “Major Strasser has been shot…”)
15. “Play it Sam… You played it for her, you can play it for me…”
16. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship…”
17. “I don’t know nuthin’ about birthin’ no babies..”
18. “You’re good. You’re very good.”
19. “Birdie Num-Nums?”
20. “Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges.”(Tip: I put in badges, which was what they were trying to say - it was pronounced in the movie as “baeches”) Read the rest of this entry »

I can’t remember a day when I don’t think to myself “this is a beautiful world and it’s great to be in it.” Daily, I find so many things to be thankful for and I’m sure most people can do the same.

Yet, thinking about the horrible tragedy in the Amish Community, ( the latest addition to the dismal roll call of school shootings) where this time five little girls, aged between five and thirteen were brutally executed, it is hard not to think about the evil there is in this world as well. To me, the killer who did this is beyond sick. That is too kind. While reports are busy focusing on all the seeming “reasons” for his terrible act Read the rest of this entry »