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Monday, March 4, 2013

Some Kids Don't Know The Rules

We love our aprons from Terry of My Journey With Candida
I read something so ridiculous that my mind can't grasp it. A 7-year old boy at school was doodling with the food on his plate (mashed potatoes or what) and the teacher said it looked like a gun. Evidently the boy is in serious trouble. Are people nuts these days?

Here is an old English nursery rhyme.... Good for jumping rope.... has a catchy rhythm.

Eeper Weeper chimney sweeper
Had a wife but couldn't keep her
Had another, didn't love her
Up the chimney he did shove her

That is a story about a guy who killed his 2nd wife and stuffed her up a chimney. Kids used to recite that and skip and jump to it. Kids didn't give it two thoughts..... just loved the rhyme and rhythm. And they didn't grow up to be Jack the Rippers...... Only Jack grew up to be Jack the Ripper. I am certainly NOT advocating teaching kids gory stories but if you examine old nursery stories they were mostly political and a little bit gory. What is next? Ban nursery rhymes?

55 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Keith,
      I like that phrase, "sippery slope." I don't want to be on one but I like the sound of it.
      Speaking of REAL slippery slopes, yesterday I tried to climb the mountain behind my house. Nope, not ready yet. I got a short distance up and I found the real slippery slope. eeekkks I turned around and walked my flat fair grounds walk.

      Delete
  2. It took me only recently to realise that "Ring around a rosy" is a rhyme about the great plague of London!

    p.s. I'd question where the new story came from first - cos for me, if it was here and a tabloid paper reported it, I'd take it with a big pinch of salt! Just my personal opinion btw!!

    Take care
    x

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    Replies
    1. Old Kitty,
      I believe almost every one of the old nursery rhymes stems from political stories. I remember my German relatives used to tell me this one,
      Kaiser Bill went up the hill to take a look at France.
      Kaiser Bill came down the hill with bullets in his pants.

      I had no idea what it meant but I'd say it over and over and giggle about the bullets in someone's pants. And I turned out OK. (I think) Ha

      I heard this report about the alleged food gun sculpture on TV

      Delete
  3. These zero tolerance schools do go to the extreme.
    Old Kitty reminded me as well as you that a lot of our childish rhymes had sinister meanings that went right over our little heads.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. patti
      It's kinda like getting the big schpeil (sp) ready for when your kids ask you about where babies come from. You start talking and they ask if they can go out and play.

      Only now, they seem to be getting the knowledge in school ????

      Delete
  4. Yeah all of the fairy tales and nursery rhymes mostly stem from bad crap
    But it's not until your an adult you realize, if ever, they take such a lap
    Kids don't think about that
    Or even care at their mat
    Just fun to say
    Had a nerf gun at my bay
    Shot people in the butt
    That never meant I wanted to do it with a real one at my hut
    Adults need to stop thinking like an adult when it comes to kids
    And quit flipping their lids
    As kids don't think that way
    They just want to play

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes you're like a wise old sage
      You think beyond your years in age
      Parents should come to your blog for knowledge
      Before they send their kids off to college
      You hit the nail right square on the head
      Adults should think like kids, that's what you said
      How do parents forget to play
      And make a rhyme along the way....... like a bunch of us adults do over at Cat's blog. Ha ha ha ha

      Delete
    2. Another Country heard from!! You are so right Pat. Kids have no idea what those rhymes mean.

      Just like Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater
      Had a wife and couldn't keep her
      Put her in a Pumpkin Shell
      And there he kept her very well.

      What I want to know.... did he just lock her up or kill her?

      Delete
    3. Technically another country is true
      And with the cat we count as two
      Probably through her down a well
      So lassie could pull her out of where she dwell

      Delete
  5. I am going to answer your question. Yes, I think people are nuts these days. Or maybe the better answer is this one: I think that some people are looking for any platform for their Gun Violence Agenda. (Did you notice when the lingo changed from Gun Control to Gun Violence? I think these things are interesting.) No schools have been shot up recently, so they were getting desperate. Apparently, the best thing going to keep it newsworthy was food. Ergo, if they can find it in a kid's food, they will. If the crisis is not there, then create it. (I hope that poor kid isn't traumatized forever. I do believe he said it was just a mountain he was making. I believe him. It is hard being called a "liar" and a "potato gun maker" of violence with your food. Terrible thing to do to a kid just to further a political agenda.) I am not sure what I would do if I were his parents, but I might sue the school and the teacher. Nothing like a good lawsuit to turn the tables. And I am really not a person who likes to sue people, but I think I'd make an exception here... If not that, I would do *something* ::puts on thinking cap:: and it would GOOD.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so agree with you Robin!! This crap is really getting out of control and it is led by our country's leader.

      Delete
    2. Robin
      Have you noticed how everyone points the finger to someone else. Shift the blame. It's so corny but I always remember long ago my guru said, when you point the finger, you have 3 fingers pointing back at you. And it's points right back to the big government when they point the finger at the little guys. And I didn't only mean kids but they are the little guys and guns haven't (yet) been taken away, so if a little kid sees a gun in his home, it must be difficult for him to understand why he can't draw a picture of one, shoot with his finger or doodle a gun out of his food. But he said it was a mountain. I had forgotten that and I bet it was. How can a mountain look like a gun? I think Chuck (below) said it..... something about the times that make people think a pile of mashed potatoes looks like a gun. Some people see guns everywhere. What a pity.

      Delete
  6. Oh, I am very sure the unbelievable will increase. Scary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gail,
      The really scary thing is, I know you are right.

      Delete
  7. Hey Manzanita,

    Oops, seemed to have missed a couple of your articles. You know me, so busy multi-tasking! :)

    I think some nursery rhymes should definitely be banned. I've never recovered from reading about "Humpty Dumpty" and no, that's not a euphemism for a "one night stand", which of course is a euphemism. Ah yes, good old Humpty, the greatest "off-the-wall" comedian, ever!

    I'm now going to make my mashed potato into the shape of our awful Prime Minister, David Cameron. I shall then pulverise it. "Knock, knock!" Oops, the heavies are at my door. Must go now....

    Be well, dear friend.

    Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gary,
      Humpty Dumpty. Of course, that is a one night stand. Ha ha ha I suppose everyone knows but me. I'm always the last to know such things.But I'm happy Khalanie is back. I miss your humor.

      Let's dive into another week
      Manzanita

      Delete
  8. Ugh yeah...I totally agree. People have seemed to have done away with "common sense" and replaced it with "Political correctness". It baffles me, as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At least the kids of this future generation will be obedient little robots.

      Delete
  9. Almost all nursery rhymes have a political background, which brings up the question, "So what?"

    ReplyDelete
  10. I remember all those old nursery rhymes and we, nor our kids went out and killed anyone. They were just fun rhymes.

    That teacher is a total wacko and should be ashamed of themself.

    Thanks Manzi for the link love. Very happy you liked the aprons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terry, the old rhymes were fun. I'm still liking them and that is why I like to rhyme at Pat's.
      My pleasure, mah dear. I just came across that photo again and that was so much fun.
      Love to you

      Delete
  11. Gosh, absolutely ridiculous with the incident with this little boy and his food. I can understand the sensitivity of teachers and wanting to be proactive and all, but there is a line of reason and I think this definitely crossed it. You are right, lots of fairy tales were a bit violent; I do hope they don't get banned myself. What needs to be banned are violent video games and movies I do believe.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betty,
      I'm with you, mostly. But banning anything is taking away more of our freedom. If parents were home to supervise kids and pay attention to what they watch...in place of using the video games and TV as a baby sitter, well.... I could go on and on but things would be more in balance.

      Delete
  12. The day kids get into trouble because they make the mashed potatoes "look" to someone like a gun...the end will be near. Crazy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chuck,
      OMG.... Well said. The kid said he was making a mountain. Go figure. I think it is a mountain out of a molehill to be so quoty. Ha

      Delete
  13. OK this is total silliness. I think schools are getting a little paranoid these days. Granted, they have reason for this, but a little common sense might come in handy around now too.

    I would love to know more history on those old nursery rhymes... Like "Rock-a-my baby on the tree tops.... Down will come baby, cradle and all?" What's with that anyway?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay,
      I too, have always been interested in the nursery rhymes. All of them have a political reference. There must be books somewhere with all this information. I bet they were originally meant to entertain and also teach the kids history. It would also be a great way to teach kids some history today.
      Very good thought.... I suppose "rock-a-bye Baby" had to do with some ruler or king and when he was deposed his whole country would come down. Ha guessing of course, but it would be fun to study this.

      Delete
  14. Yes, people are now nuts.
    This crap annoys the heck out of me, but then I'm probably nuts too...
    The world we live in is starting to make me feel that way, anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yellow Rose,
      I know. I used to think I was sane. Now, maybe the whole world is sane and I am the one who is nuts.

      Delete
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    ReplyDelete
  16. Most of the nursery rhymes we grew up with are gruesome. I feel as if I'd like to give the school the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the boy had been acting in a violent way before hand. Maybe he'd been talking/bragging about guns. Maybe?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ros
      Could certainly be the truth. I heard it on mainstream TV and evidently so did a lot of others. The boy said he was making a mountain. That was all that I heard.

      Delete
    2. I meant your theory could certainly be the truth. Excuse me, that didn't come out as I wanted. Ha

      Delete
  17. Yeah it is pathetic how much they try and push that PC crap on us, whining at every turn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John
      Yup, robotic, robotic, robotic. But it appears that the ones who could stop it, don't want to. A pity.

      Delete
  18. My kids hated nursery rhymes, they thought they were babyish even at two and three years old, but liked fairy tales if they were a bit gory, later they all loved scary violent movies, they'd stay up late to watch the horror movie of the week. Even as children not yet teenagers. Not one of them is a murdering criminal. It just isn't "in" them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River
      Of course not. Neither did mine. But I believe the real reason for today's "off-balance people" are all the chemical drugs they are fed by allopathic doctors. I just got a great book called, "Medication Madness" by Peter Breggin, M.D.
      He sights cases of perfectly normal people and how prescription drugs turned them psychotic individuals. He is a doctor who treated all these patients after they had been fed chemicals by his peers. A great read.

      Delete
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  20. Yes, far too many people are nuts today. Politically correct? Zero tolerance? No matter what they call it, in my opinion, it's IN-correct, and Zero common sense.

    On top of the nursery rhymes and jump rope cadences we grew up with, the boys I went to school with drew (gasp!) gory pictures. Airplanes with bombs dropping, and stuff blowing up. If they didn't have a toy gun, a stick and some imagination would suffice. And any boy worth his salt carried a pocket knife. (I still do!)

    I know times have changed, but this stuff has gotten way too far out of hand. How can children enjoy the innocence and imagination of childhood when adults are forever looking over their shoulders and attaching sinister intent to everything the poor kids do? Ridiculous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan
      And Amen to that Sister.LOL Don't mean to be flippant but I do so agree. In fact, I was thinking about the boys I went to school with.... not one turned out to be a uni-bomber or serial killer BUT they turned out to be Patriots.... fought in all the wars..... ww2 and Korean....paid their taxes from JOBS they had. Plus they too played with the guns and drew the bombing pictures. My My

      Delete
    2. P.S. Susan,
      I just heard on the news today that you can now take your pocket knife on the plane again. No box cutters, though.

      Delete
  21. But, I heard that "Ring Around the Rosey" made kids want to give each other the Bubonic Plague.
    Okay...that's probably not true.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Al, I'm sure there's more meaning in this than I'm reading into it at the moment. LOL But I don't know the meaning of any of the nursery rhymes but Susieee just said they are banning some of them. There goes more freedom.

      Delete
    2. I guess we're all supposed to bend over and get "Mother Goosed."

      Delete
  22. You got me curious about the banning of nursery rhymes. I don't recall my brother's kids reading or reciting them back in the 1980s. Nursery rhymes and fairy tales seem to have come back in vogue the last few years as movies and tv series. I'm rambling here. I did a search on Google and saw that some nursery rhymes have been banned here and there in the United Kingdom.

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    Replies
    1. Su-sieee
      Perhaps nursery rhymes do come and go in popularity. I don't have a clue. It may depend on the parents and if they liked them when they were little, then they would probably read them to their kids. If you did deep into the real meaning of nursery rhymes, yes, they have it's roots in history and it's usually bloody, as wars, beheadings, etc. But what child knows this..... when the parents don't even know. I loved the sing song rhythm of the rhymes when we jumped rope. It just fit. Now, I have an interest in what event prompted the rhymes. Geez, don't take away our nursery rhymes. I had many books and read to my kids and my grandkids..... I'll back up..... My mother, grandmother and aunt read them to me, every night. I knew so many by heart and I still remember them.

      Delete
  23. Nursery rhymes and fairy tales were serious stuff back in the day. I remember as a child when I first realized what Rock a Bye Baby was really saying. I couldn't understand who would make up a rhyme like that.

    P.S. you look very cute in your apron!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen,
      What is the history behind Rock a Bye Baby? Kay and I were wondering. I don't know.
      Thank you, thank you. The girls (My daughter and granddaughter) and I are always in the kitchen at family gatherings. Ha

      Delete
  24. Just when I hope common sense exists in the world, political correctness rears it head or rear...don't know which.
    Jump rope rhymes will be next.

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    Replies
    1. Susan
      That upsets me more than taking the guns. That is to be expected..... but nursery rhymes. My mother, my grandmother and my aunt read them to me every night and I still remember most of them..... although I never knew what they meant. It's the rhythm of them that the kids love. You can read them to your new little grandson and he'll remember those close moments all of his life.

      Delete
  25. We feel such a need to be in control of things our of our control that we institute rules so that we can no longer use judgment. I'm with you. I don't think a boy chewing his grilled cheese into a gun shape (that's what I heard) is going to be harmed by that as much as the sensationalizing of his Grilled Cheese Gun. It would be cool if we could just hire great teachers and can the so-so ones and let them work it out.

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    Replies
    1. ...uh, that's "out of our control." Speaking of.

      Delete
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  27. Did you have the game 'ring-a-ring-a-rosy' over in the states? That's about the black plague! It's such a double standard to stop children listening to nursery rhymes that are a way of dealing with negative events, without blinking an eye at the ridiculous mess of violence, hatred and idiocy that is the television and movie industry. Isn't it??!!

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