Strict Parenting

Just watched a brilliant documentary called 'The worlds strictest parents' on BBC Three. Seems I missed the 1st instalment but hope to catch up via BBC i-player.

Basically it is about unruly British kids sent to live strict families. The episode I watched today saw two kids from different families sent to Jamaica. They were immediately given a culture shock.

Sam didn't seem to be able to handle compliments and words of encouragement. Charlotte was just lazy and didn't try at all. Of course in the end they started seeing things differently and saw their parents in a different light.

The UK government has a lot to answer for. Some parents are left powerless by such liberal laws that remove discipline in favour of rights. Surely a child needs discipline and rights together. Saying NO to a child should not be seen as a abuse or criminal. That's why are youth are turning to crime. They are disordely because there is no order in their life.

I know this is quite a small review but I am tired and trying to get to bed ASAP as the children are fast asleep. I can't wait to see the other episodes. A show on the BBC I can actually enjoy.

I found this interesting article on Jamaica's attitude to parenting and their views of the UK.

Mooncup

I recieved my weekly Money Saving Expert email newsletter, which I scroll through to see what interests me. At the moment the bank mergers are high on the list. There is a lot to read and I would say worth joining up to recieve. Their forum is excellent and it amazes me how little people can live on even in the credit crunch if they choose to do so. I might set myself a challenge but will see how the future pans out.

What caught my eye this week was the highlighted discussion about the Mooncup. I was thinking what in the world is that. This is what it says on their website:

The Mooncup is a reusable menstrual cup around two inches long and made from soft silicone rubber. It is worn internally like a tampon but collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbing. Unlike tampons the Mooncup is not a disposable product, so you only need to buy one. (source)

This may bit much for some to comprehend but I do find this interesting. I have yet to fulfil the ethical part of my living. This may be something I try. However not sure on the just buy one. Surely you would need two. Mmm I must send them an email or read through the entirety of this money saving expert thread.

Ladies are talking about ethical alternatives on there to deal with their monthly cycles. Even ethical sanitary towels. Not sure on that one but the mooncup does sound interesting.

Read more about the mooncup here

There is meant to be other alternatives out there too. Still unsure if it is worth me trying though.

Brandy is back finally

I did read a while back that one of my favourite singers Brandy would be returning to the music scene. I can not wait to get the album. I am already loving the new single 'Right Here (Departed). It reunites her back with Rodney Jerkins who helped create some of her classic hits.

The video is directed by Little X and does this futuristic thing. The person is there but then you blink and they are gone. On BET's Access Granted, Brandy more or less said the message is open and that the video will give different meanings to different people. I must watch it again to clarify.

I do love the way Brandy styles her hair at times. The curly weave she is rocking in the video is really nice. Yes she is still the face of the Brandy collection of protein hair by Ultimo. I used to be so envious of her Braids and could never achieve her look. But that is life. But backside she is marga. But she does not look sick with it though.

I do agree with BrownSista, Ms Norwood's style is pretty much the same from her last album cycle. It must be what she is comfortable with. The promo shots I have seen are okay. But it is like the record company are still clinging to her youth. When they should be showcasing her as the beautiful woman that she is.

The embed function has been disabled on her YouTube channel. So here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeoVHUQuzR0

Her 5th album titled 'Human' is due to be released in November.

For more info, please click the following links

Forever Brandy

Brandy's MySpace

Brandy Norwood net

Stupid truck and domain names

Today was almost catastrophic. I was driving along decided going to take a different route so I can avoid traffic. This big ole truck, articulated lorry. You know the ones you need to see more than just the rear wheels to be safe. Its the ones that caused me to fail a test.

Anyway it just stops in the middle of the road doing nothing. No indication or anything. I see the car in front of me take over. I hesitate at first than decided to just put my foot down and go. Backside the driver pulled out. If I was going any slower my 2 boys would have suffered something. The driver beeped me. These lorries cannot see you from behind but they can see you coming up the inside. I just thank God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, after all it could have been worst.

Good news for me. My friend is busy putting her hair braiding blog together. She has skills...though I have to pull out my sympathy card to get my hair done sometimes. I reckon she would cuss me out if I linked her before she has finished her tweaking. Just know that she has skills. B is always telling me that I need to buy some domains because they are affordable etc etc etc. Well she inspired me today. Between replying via my blackberry, my laptop and phone I did just that.

So now I am the proud owner of www.lushesbrownthoughts.com . Which means I need to add some oomph and spice to this blog. If I spoke my mind on what certain gal and man get up to that would be entertaining. mmm. I will think about.

Though will see how the weeks go by

Breast milk ...but is sharing caring

Oh my I am watching this show on Channel 4 called 'Other People's Breast Milk'. It explores the concept of people who share breast milk whether that be through cross feeding, wet nursing and breast milk donation. I must admit I am watching a bit mortified at the thought. The show discusses people who do some form of communal feed. It is starting to remind me of that show with people who are breastfeeding beyond goo ga ga period.

I am seeing 3 and 4 year olds sucking the life out of their mums chest. The thought sounds painful. Kate Garraway finds two sisters who breast fed each others children. They argue that no one will think twice about letting someone else feed your baby with a bottle. So why the issues with cross feeding.

The programme goes onto discuss women who have never given birth and are able to produce milk. The suckling by the child at the breast stimulates the production of breast milk. One lady explained that she took contraceptive pills and used a breast pump which helped stimulated her milk production. Thus she was able to breast feed her adoptive children. All I can say to that is interesting.

Whilst in the UK breast milk is given away for free, in America its big business. A gay couple explain that they buy breast milk because they believe breast is best. You can even buy the services of a wet nurse. Then there is one image which mmm I must admit caught me off guard. Its a picture of Vanessa Beecroft an artists who went to Sudan and saw twins whose mum and passed and they were malnourished as would not take formula. So she simply placed them on her chest and they began to feed.

For me the reason this image is like woah, is because it reminds me of the picture of the fat white baby sucking the life out of the malnourished black woman. However Beecroft's use of her own breasts to feed those babies meant they lived. She bought their dad a goat so the babies had a continuous supply of milk. They are said to be doing well. Beecroft described the experience and the image as

In an interview, she calls the work "a souvenir." The iconographic portrait, of a white-robed Madonna and two black babies, is arresting and disturbing, raising questions about celebrity, race, colonialism, international adoption. Exploitation or liberation?(source)

The show ends with a section on adults drinking breast milk. A man who had cancer believes breast milk saved his life. How amazing is that. Gives a whole new meaning to breast is best.

I do not know about sharing milk in this way. I breast fed both of my children. I doubt I would ever breast feed someone else's child.

Read more about the show here.

And the winners are....

Hey if you haven't had the time to take a look at the black weblog awards please go and look. The winners have already been announced and celebrations are taking place as we speak. It goes to show the power of your readership when you get recognition.
I have yet to check out all the winners but my faves as you already know Scandalous Beauty and Afrobella.com are winners. Here is the black weblog award winners 2008 link. So go and have a look, you might find a new blog to enjoy. I know I will
Congratulations to all the winners. Well done!!

Blackpool was cool but.....

I was convinced by friends to join them and go Blackpool for the day. This of course would mean that I would be driving down the full two hour journey myself. A distance I have never driven before. My only real concern was not being able to keep up with those who knew were they were going. My only backup was my teenage passenger who could only look ahead and behind to see the other cars, (there were 5 in total) and the satnav which kept telling me to exit at some random place when know one was turning off.

I made it there and back safely. It was a lovely day despite the rain. I am sooooo happy and proud of my almost 3yr old. He walked up and down for about 9 hours and didn't complain. I was grateful that although at the last minute his dad kept his baby brother at home.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a really nice place to go and visit. You have the seaside of which the night view is lovely. The theme park bit is opposite and its huge. They cater for all ages. You have a choice of getting a wristband that gets you on all the rides or just buy a few tokens. The majority of us all that went bought wristbands. I thank my good friend for helping a sister out.

We were told the wristband bought on the day would be £18 for kids 2-11 and £26 for 11yrs and older. Backside when we reach the prices were showing as £25 and £32. I would have been happy just to walk round and lose some weight for the day.

The sore point of the day was when we reached the ticket desk and my friends were redeeming their tickets bought online. To be told that they need a newspaper cut out to get the discount otherwise will need to pay another £20 each to get a ticket. You what! My friend just asked this blond girl behind the desk some questions just to explain because tickets were bought online and did not mention any conditions. You know what that bimbo said. "I can't be bothered to deal with them anymore". Damn cheek.

Now this is the best bit which makes me laugh. She ran round the back bawling her eyes out making out to the duty manager Adam that we were being horrible to her. He came out pointing fingers being rude. He was taken aside and explained what and what went on and also pulled up for his behaviour. He apologised. But you know what sometimes you need to take things further and they will be receiving a letter of complaint. He was talking discrimination and no one mentioned that. So you know in the back of your head what his agenda was.

Anyways that was that. I tell you now the rides are huge and definitely thrilling. The Pepsi Max is said to be one of tallest roller coasters in the world. You are taking 200ft in the air and then it just drops you turns you sideways. I didn't know whether to scream or laugh or simply duck. Other rides I went on were Iron Bru, Rat race and a few kiddie ones with my son. I point blank refused to go on the haunted houses, passages etc they have.

Food choices were alright. We ate all you can eat Italian. I did not like look of the pasta so just ate pizza non stop till I was full and garlic bread. mmmmm. Of course no trip to the British seaside is complete without buying sugar dummies, candy floss and loads of candy rock. I think I splurged a bit here so will be giving some rock away. After all I still need to get in shape.

One more thing. I had to drive back in the dark and my friends disappeared from my sight. But luckily I caught them up and reached back safely.

Find out more about Blackpool Pleasure Beach here.