I'm mild-insulted by the term crumb-crunchers, but yes. I do feel like I have to rebuttle. I'm also annoyed by the thought that "us women" just are out spending money on shoe shopping - maybe you need to meet some other type of women? There are things such as 1. retirement (God forbit, even in our mid-20s thinking about putting away for the future...some of you may want to chew on that...) 2. College Education (True, those of you without children at the moment or later don't need to worry about that.) 3. Savings (Another term a lot of America has yet to figure out...) I'm extremely proud of my family for being being able to put our daughter in private school, putting away money for retirement, college education, and saving - while living comfortably. We don't go blow it on nights out partying... Do we get sitters? Yes, when we need too - do we attend functions? When we want too...and depending on the time, location, other children in attendance, would we ever consider bringing our 3...
It is a person's right to decide when they want to have children. It is a person's right IF they even want to have children. It is only pure decency to treat a person with basic civil courtesy.
I am just assuming that the majority of the people on AW are either 1. Interested in becoming a Naval aviator 2. Are in the process of becoming a Naval aviator 3. Are a Naval aviator or 4. Used to be a Naval aviator or 5. Are somehow linked to Naval aviation in general.
If that is true...don't you think as a Navy or Marine Corps Officer (or soon to be) you should be held to a higher standard? You aren't Joe Schmoe on the corner cursing at Moms (or Dads for that matter) with their kids while they run basic errands. People look up to you. They TRUST you whether you deserve it or not.
From the Navy creed: "I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all."
From the Marine Corps Prayer: "Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold."
Okay...so you non-believers - I am sure are going to start bashing me that you don't pray, so it doesn't pertain to you. It DOES.
My husband was an enlisted harrier mechanic when I met him. A LCpl to be exact. He looked up and respected the pilots that flew the jets he as worked 12 hr shifts - sometimes longer - to ensure their safety and completion of daily sorties. He worked hard, and I'm so proud of him. He got accepted into a commissioning program, finished college, did OCS, TBS, API, Primary and he is now in Advanced. Please don't tell me that his peers are going to be self-centered jerks?
To me...I think of an officer as distinguished and honorable. I've heard about the drunken fests, seen the parties...do I care? No. Most of you are young, ummarried...why do I care? It's your life. You are entitled to be whoever you want. It's YOUR choice. Just as some of us choose to bring our children grocery shopping or anywhere else that they are legally allowed to be.
I would be careful to watch what is said. Most of us Moms/Dads are forgiving and understand that there are people out there too young, irresponsible, and immature deal with kids. Words whether spoken or written can sometimes be forgiven, but not forgotten. Our family is at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to "Officer-land" - but there are higher ranking, COs, XOs and the like that have young children too.
Would you honestly choose to be a jerk to the CO's wife when she and her children are having an "off" day? People are forgiven, but not forgotten at times.
Can we all agree that kids can be UGLY at the commissary, grocery store, malls, resturants and the like? Yes. Can we all agree that there are parent's you'd like to throttle for having ill-mannered/obese or overweight kids? Yes. As a (hopefully mature) adult, can you just accept that they are a CHILD. I'm sure you had UGLY days too.