hags to bitches

I’m still in my pajamas. I’ve spent the entire day cleaning out the beans’ room, making way for their "big boy" & "big girl" beds, creating two individualized headboards, quite sure I was more excited than they about their emancipation from the bars of their cribs.

The rest of the day, I sorted through their clothes, checking sizes, weeding out stained clothes, and flat-out ridding their pajama drawers of anything polyester. I don’t care if Dora is on it. It’s going. (Thankfully, Abigail now has 100% cotton Dora PJs). And may I just say, Ew to the Ew. Thank God Phil agrees with me. We just don’t want our kids wearing cartoon Dora or Diego clothes, not to mention anyone from Sesame Street. Prance around in anything you’d like when you’re at home, makes you dance like a dervish, go for it, but please never leave the house wearing an Elmo t-shirt. Unless you’re a twenty-something guy wearing it to be ironic. This is what I consider your "gateway drug"  to piss-poor fashion nonsense. It starts with songs about backpacks, but next thing you know, you’ll be an adult wearing a sports jersey, which is, by definition, an oxymoron. "Adult" "Sports Jersey?" Not unless you’re being paid to wear it. There, the bitch in the house is done. No, wait. Polyester is hideous and a half when it comes to pajamas. It pills. And folded, it sticks to inself, like one of those Halloween costumes, where someone dresses up as Static Cling.

Now then, having nothing to do with any of that judgment, I love cleaning days–organizing days. Currently, no one can find anything in the kids’ room. It’s why our crispy tater tots are sometimes dressed like complete ragamuffins, wearing pajama tops with snowflakes and elephants on iceskates as if they’re meant to be worn in the streets. So I had to step in and create a sense of order. Because, quite frankly, it’s all I can control these days. I get it, no one really cares what your kid is wearing, get over it, if they’re having fun, getting dirty, exploring, that’s all that matters. THAT IS NOT LOST ON ME. They do all that as it is. I just do NOT understand why your kid has to dress like a muppet to prove s/he is indeed being a kid.

Lately, as this beat box of a post demonstrates, my mind darts around, dipping into to-do’s, eager, but unable to really follow a thought through. And when I begin a project, I CANNOT stop until I’m finished. I couldn’t, for example stop at weeding clothes they’d outgrown from the closet. I had to pull together matching outfits, hang them together, so everyone in the house knows what’s to be worn together.

Then, there was the issue of packing. Yes, issue. I am a horrendous packer. We’ll be leaving for Florida, away for a full eight days, to celebrate Thanksgiving with Yiya and "Tia Lea." and there’s weather to consider. All their (and our) summer clothes are so… bright. Not very autumn Thanksgiving. There’s just something wrong about wearing plum velvet in a place with palm trees. But in the end, of course, I realize, that absolutely no one gives a shit. It’s always in our own minds, believing that anyone even cares what we’re wearing, or not wearing, but we all know all that really matters is the stuffing.  And sure, that we’re there–yet another thing for which I’m so thankful, because I look like a dump truck.

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COMMENTS:

  1. Definitely can’t identify with this post.
    When I cleaned out my kid’s clothes I cried (and I’m not a crier) and truly realized how fast time passes. I concur with those who say who gives a shit what your kid has on, if it matches, or if it’s name brand. Vomit.

    I guarantee you those Floridians will be wearing flip flops.
    Have fun.

  2. Definitely CAN identify with this post. What’s wrong with instilling a little bit of taste into your kids when they’re young? Tasteful cotton shirts cost the same as the tacky, pilly, polyester stuff they sell with every Disney and Nickelodeon character plastered all over it. People in general are slobby enough as it is, why add to the masses who wear sweatpants to the grocery store and let their kids wear garish gross clothes covered in ads for their favorite Disney or Nickelodeon character? Have a little class and take the extra 3 minutes to put it together – it isn’t that hard.

    1. Sweatpants to the GROCERY STORE?!?!!?!? Why I nevah!!!!
      Pffft.

      What a judgmental comment.

  3. You grossed me out so much with this post. What a icky judgemental poser you have become. Your snarky cool that I so admired has just become desperate bitch. I have read this blog everyday for years and years. Bought your books, emailed you and in general wished well for you and your family’s well-being.

    You have to understand, a great deal of children identify with Dora and Latinas from any Hispanic origin love to see a example for their children to have someone to identify with. Obvious that you dislike anything that would let your children just be unpretentious children. I read your twitter about Sponge Bob. My child still adores Sponge Bob and he is moving on to 8 years old. Loves science and tested college reading level in 2nd grade, but laughs hysterically at Sponge Bob in his Sponge Bob PJ’s.
    I have just as much if not more education and elan as you, yet I find it appropriate to encourage my child to be just that- A child. Even if its in 50/50 cotton/poly. In the past months you have written a few of these post about natural childhood activities that you find beneath you or trashy. Hey SK, Sesame street has spent generations working on a crap budget educating and enriching children. And all the while, as children have been playing in tiny plastic pools or a hose. It doesn’t make them “WHITE TRASH.” What is “WHITE TRASH” is you and your husband tearing each other up for sport and for the public on your blog when he is coping with a life threatening illness. It is apalling. Because it isn’t once in a while.

    This post is just beyond offensive. You may think that commenter’s should shut the hell up, but we buy your damn books and bring the ad revenue to your blog that goes toward the correct nightwear for your kids. I personally have told a 15 + people about your blog, and those people bought your books. Both of them. Imagine a hundred people like me x 15 +. Not that it should anyway color how you feel or what you write { I am huge believer of free speech } I am just letting you know that this is the last of your blog or work that I ever take my time to read or purchase.
    You don’t come off as cutting edge or a tough beauty with a message when you and your husband trash each other. And you are evolving into
    a appalling bigot. Life is short. I would think the lessons life has handed you in the past few years would have taught you that, but obviously not. We don’t all have to like the same things or agree on what is great for our kids, but I believe the message of your book Moose was that it hurt and shaped you to be called a fat girl. Yet look at you know name calling.
    -Bianca/Bee

    1. Oh wow – just noticed Stephanie’s twitter “Kids that wear Sponge Bob clothes are ugly”. Was that directed at Bee?? Passive aggresive or what?

      As much as I love to hate reading you, I think I am done with this blog too – too creepy.

      1. I’m pretty sure it’s the other way around. Bee’s comment was in response to Stephanie’s twitter.

    2. Author

      Clearly I’ve done a piss poor job at explaining what I meant, or even realizing what I meant until now being pressed. Because the fact is that you are important to me. You, Bee, but also other readers who take the time to read, to care, share, and reach out. So that’s not lost on me. You also know that I try to write and post as if no one is reading it. That is, the minute I start to worry what people will think, or how they’ll take a certain statement, is the minute I stop being authentic and truthful. And I never want to be that, bending, worrying, scared of sharing my reality. The good, the ugly, the sad, inappropriate, and bad. It’s what I’ve always done here.

      That said, I wrote this post a few days ago, without thinking, drinking. I was recounting my day, and my friend and I began to discuss just how ugly our kids’ polyester pjs are. As I sorted through drawers, I decided to rid them of anything that wasn’t soft to the touch. And all those “anything”s were in fact polyester, pilling, and when I unfolded them, they stuck to themselves, and I had to pull them apart. Yick.

      Let’s put brand names aside for the moment, because this isn’t about having the “right” anything. It’s not about trying to prove anything to anyone, not even myself. It’s not some insecurity of mine, where I’m overcompensating by refusing my children anything. It’s about preference. And to me, cartoon clothes are ugly. No wait, now that I’m being pressed, I’ll elaborate. It comes down to scale. A gingham dress with a small Winnie The Pooh, lovely. A faded cotton Batman t-shirt, all soft and cozy, all for it. BUT fluorescent yellow Sponge Bob pajamas made of polyester are as ugly as zebra striped pants stirrup pants… to me. There are, in fact, 31 flavors for a reason.

      I find your “You have to understand, a great deal of children identify with Dora and Latinas from any Hispanic origin…” completely off mark–making an issue out of something that was never an issue. As you know, we’re raising our children to speak Spanish, and I, and they, are in fact Puerto Rican. I don’t care what the hell cartoon is on their clothes… that’s just not the point at all. It’s about the loud colors and the shit fabric that feels like crap after two washes. I have no problem with their Dora and Diego pajamas made of cotton because the characters are small, not splashed across their sweet little bodies, as if they’ve been dipped in Nickelodeon.

      I think all of us, every last one of us, knows that kids should be kids, dirt under their fingernails, mud pies, a bright tutu with rain boots, every day for a week. And I have no problem with that; I’m pretty confident NO ONE has a problem with that. Kids should be kids. But as I cleaned out their drawers, it was undeniable that white cotton pjs with a small rocking horse or embroidered bunny feel softer, silkier, with each use. Our beans live for Dora and Diego, and I’ll sometimes, quite randomly, say “Swiper, no swiping,” out of nowhere, just for fun. We’re not anti-Dora. We’re anti loud polyester cartoon clothes that are, in fact, the worse for wear.

      I can see your point though, or rather, can see how you took what I wrote the way that you did because I hadn’t quite explained, or even taken the time to really analyze what was behind my disdain for loud garish cartoon clothes. And as for Phil’s clothes… that’s another disaster, especially his T-shirt with a sunflower photo, but it’s one of those things that just make us laugh. And there’s plenty in my closet he makes a face over, as expressed on this blog.

      I know you’ve battled with your own health problems, but we all cope differently. To judge and say it’s appalling how I handle things in light of the medical conditions of my family, that my focus isn’t where it should be, how people come out with their textbook armchair advice about what really matters in life, that’s far more appalling than a post on ugly pajamas.

      1. Brilliant Reply SK!
        I too hate loud ugly polyester kid’s clothing. And my hate for them has nothing to do with brand names or what costs more either.

  4. Bianca, have a happy Thanksgiving. you must really have woken up on the wrong side of the bed, huh? Bigot? What are you talking about? I think you read this post wrong. Stephanie was just stating an opinion that she would rather not buy into commercialism NOT that her kids(or any kids) shouldn’t watch or identify with Dora and Diego. No one is saying children aren’t encouraged to be children! I for one love Stephanie’s books, the blog and her style. Her videos make me examine my own situations. That is their brilliance. Put yourself out there to be judged when in fact it deflects and prompts conversation.

    Seriously Bianca, have a Happy Thanksgiving. let’s revisit this after Black Friday madness claims the life of another Walmart shopper and get back to lovin’ our inner SK.

  5. Just want to say that my amazing (now 16 yr old) child wore his “favorite” Tommy Pickles tshirt way more than he should have and it was handed now to his 5 yr old cousin. But I also dressed him in the best of suits when needed at the same age. Some times when they are in the store with you they “have to have” something. Just remember at those times that those “have to”s are very important to them.

    Pick your battles – and get used to it now because once you are in the practice it will be easier later.

    I now have an amazing 16 yr old – who had a job days after his 16th birthday, has ALWAYS had an amazing GPA (without excessive pressure from me) and is planning great things for his future. I couldn’t be prouder!

    The simple point – pick your battles – life is way too short for everything to be a battle especially something that is pointless in the big picture.

  6. Maya, I completely agree!

    I guess that Bianca/Bee is ok with bashing people about bashing people??? Oxymoron much?

    Hopefully others see this as someone just getting through the Holidays while also trying to organize the house of craziness that happens around the Holidays and that it’s HUMAN to go through these things, just most of us do it in the private of our homes instead of sharing with others so that they don’t feel so alone.

  7. This made me cringe a bit. Don’t get me wrong – I love dressing my little girl in lovely clothes. But sometimes she insists on wearing a frilly strappy white and pink dress over a hoody grey sweater with her Dora slippers. To kindergarten. I absolutely let her – now is the time to allow her to wear (pretty much) whatever she wants before she feels the need to conform to social, media and peer pressure. And maybe it will teach her that she never has to completely conform – that she can retain her own sense of self and uniqueness.
    No matter what she wears she has so much energy and confidence she always looks beautiful.

  8. You know what’s ironic? In various videos and photographs, Phil is wearing tee shirts (see their most recent public spat video) because of his tee shirts that have various sayings, brand names. The kind of tee shirts you’d see on a teenager or 20-something. Some commenters called him out on it. Personally, I could give 2 shits about what Phil wears, but I think this post is funny in light of this post. Like the commenters who made fun of what Phil is wearing (again not my style, but who cares, the man *may* have other priorities), I think Stephanie’s point is misplaced. You seriously think that you are setting up your kids for a lifetime of being “well-dressed” just because you think you dress them well? Ah, will we see the video when one of the twins at age 15 wears combat boots and died pink hair?

    Oh, and Maya, Stephanie has never apologized for her materialism and wanting nice things, so I don’t think she is one to shy from commercialism.

    Also, I speak from experience. I am a dyed-in-the-wool preppie. But my parents also let me wear whatever I want, wisely. Or, as KLCDH says “Pick your battles.” That’s how a child learns to “dress”–by living and learning. Look, I am not one for being a walking advertisement for companies, either, so I sort of concede that point, but this is coming from a woman who carries purses with the Gucci “G” logo. Anyway, I am grateful that my parents let me figure this stuff out on my own, with their bemused expressions, holding out a pair of slingback Ferragamo’s, when I was ready for them.

  9. “Stephanie would rather not buy into commercialism” – you’ve read this blog right?
    2 words on this one “hideously bourgeois”

  10. Those polyester flame retardant pajamas could save your kid’s life in a fire.

    You’re on a slippery slope once you start passing judgment on cartoon characters. That is sending much more than a fashion message to your kids – be careful, please.

  11. While you’re cleaning stuff out you might want to chuck some of the t-shirts hanging in Phil’s closet. Just sayin’.

  12. While I’m not nuts about prints/characters on clothes I am a mom who allows my kid to ‘slide’ on sartorial saavy when out playing and getting dirty in the park. And gasp, he wore a Mr. Happy character t shirt.. I know, we’re trash-ay! One of the best things of being a mom? Not giving a fuck about petty things like that. And just being glad I have a healthy kid to dress, period. I hope that sheds some perspective on it for you. Personal tastes are your right but alienating readers with indignation about ‘shoddy’ clothes is foolish. You make your money with those same people. And Phil- God love him, I think he’s great- but I distinctly remember him wearing many tacky t shirts ‘I make great babies’ might have just been worn for effect for that one video.. and worn only at home one should hope’ but there’s not much room for criticism. And your gigantic ‘statement’ jewelry comes would be considered gauche and ‘too much’ to my snotty east coast wasp relatives. The bright colors (see the latest video with that blue shirt) and trendy style you like (and I think can carry off) would be seen as cheap to those same people. Rich wasps LOOOVE their muted neutrals, darling:) They favor the subtle over flash.
    I do not identify with them, I am quick to add. I’ve plenty of immaturity left to outgrow but one thing I pride myself on in not judging people for what they wear.
    Maybe I am wrong.. and you *know* this post will get lots of hits, and people calling you out for being ‘snobby’. I suspect that’s true. You’re not dumb. Regardless I will check for responses b/c I love seeing the perspectives of others on this kind of thing. And yeah, I gave up the ghost of my little man (and baby on the way will be the same) wearing his perfect preppy outfits when I know he will run around and mess them up with dirt. Besides, it’s nice to know I the nicer clothes will last longer.

    1. Being that it is raining here in Florida and the twins are watching Dora, I thought I’d say hi and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. As for my fashion sense(noted here), I am one for T-shirts, Old Navy, clothes that remind me of good times(barely wearable anymore but make me feel good to wear them). I do have an Oriole’s baseball jersey I don frequently and a button down yellow shirt I love and think I look great in but others do not. I still wear it. The “I make great babies” shirt was a gift from Stephanie’s Assistant for my birthday. My Stepfather changes his license plate every year my niece ages to her next birthday “MKYLA 7” now and he wears ties covered with photos of her exclaiming “It’s Fun To Be One” to meetings.

      Now that we have this out of the way, to each his own. We have preferences, likes, dislikes, things we enjoy and things we do not. Go make a bird rather than giving one.

      Phil

      1. Phil, when you first turned up in that shirt and someone wrote that it was tacky I remember making a comment you were trying to be funny. I’ve never made a negative comment about you or your wife here or anywhere else. Not my style to personally attack anyone much less a stranger.
        And again, this was not a slam on you or your fashion sense. It’s nice when a guy isn’t overly focused on his clothes.. not sure why you take this as being attacked. And I am not making a bird, brisket this year. How am i giving a bird? Too sensitive. My comment was simply illustrating how people perceive things differently. And I clearly stated in my comment that personal taste is a right we all have. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

  13. I don’t think it’s judgmental. I especially don’t appreciate when guys wear sweatpants and you can see e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. It’s just gross.

  14. Stephanie just doesn’t want her kids to wear ugly clothes. Clothes with cartoon characters on them are ugly. That’s statement is barely an opinion.

    PUH-LEASE with all this bull****. I can see how much fun YOUR children must have with a parent who thinks a casual, fun-spirited post about tacky children’s pajamas is a slippery slope to becoming a bigot. Not easy to see how well you let your “kids be kids” with responses like that. She even said the kid HAS Dora pajamas, just in cotton, which is a much more comfortable, less irritating fabric. Poll 20 people off the street and I guarantee 3/4ths of them agree with me.

    And why do you care if she wants her kids to look cute and have matching outfits when they go somewhere? People look like slobs all the time, it is unoriginal. The way you dress says something about you, even if you “don’t care” and go to the store wearing ripped ass shorts and a Carter Blood Care t-shirt. You have to put on clothes and you get a choice which clothes those will be. If you choose to look like you don’t care, then don’t get all righteously indignant when people comment that you don’t look like you care about how you present yourself, own it. I’ve gone out in public, dressed in triple XL mens boxer shorts, a t-shirt with toothpaste stains and a greaspit on my head. And when people “judged” me and thought “Wow, she must not really care about how she looks to other people or respect social norms”…they were right as hell and I’m not at all defensive.

  15. I’m just kinda mad that my favorite sweatshirt of all time, the huge, oversized ridiculous red one with a big, fat, leering, polyester eating grinch on the front is lost. My holidays are ruined.

  16. Bee, don’t buy her book, use that money to upgrade your child’s wardrobe.

    Stephanie doesn’t do mediocre, or white trash, like you and I. She’s rich and unapologetic, and I hate to love it, but I do.

      1. Julie, I suspect that you don’t enjoy sex.
        Get fucked, lady.

        There we go.
        FULL.RETARDED.

  17. I sort of understand where Bee/Bianca and Janet are coming from on this one. My 5 year old adores Sonic and SpongeBob. While they would not be my choice in clothing, it’s about him…not me. If your daughter likes Dora, don’t deny her the choice of wearing a Dora shirt. Clothing with Dora or Elmo on it will not bring your child any type of negative attention, so why not let them enjoy what’s cool in their world.

  18. Stephanie, your explanation, while generous of you, was unnecessary. The fact is, you said it all when you wrote: “I had to step in and create a sense of order. Because, quite frankly, it’s all I can control these days. I get it, no one really cares what your kid is wearing, get over it, if they’re having fun, getting dirty, exploring, that’s all that matters. THAT IS NOT LOST ON ME. They do all that as it is. I just do NOT understand why your kid has to dress like a muppet to prove s/he is indeed being a kid.”

    I couldn’t have said it better myself. I dress my children in Petit Bateau. I love the quality, and like you, I don’t care if they get dirty. I would NEVER let my children leave the house in a Tinkerbell PJ set, and don’t get me started on NASCAR. Help us all.

  19. Just wanted to say two things: Happy Thanksgiving Stephanie & Family! And I am so thankful that you continue to be you despite all the shit you take for it. Your responses to my emails have been helpful in ways you’ll never know. Okay three things? You are my favorite author and blogger, and I’m thankful to my friend for introducing me to you.

  20. Well, I think its safe to say that some people on here are FAR too sensitive.

    Who cares that SK doesn’t like tacky polyester cartoon clothing! WHO CARES. It is her right to dislike whatever she pleases. And quite frankly, I totally agree with her.

    This blog is for her to pour out her mind and heart. She is being candid. She’s allowed to have opinions. And you “nay sayers” can have opinions too (and you obviously do based on some of these harsh comments) but do you have to be so rude and tactless about it.

    And if you’ll notice the title of this post – she is pointing out the fact that she knows she’s being a bit bitchy.

    But that is what is so funny! So just laugh with her and let her be her unique and individual self.

    And SK – I used to live in Florida for awhile. As far as I could tell, winter and fall don’t exist as separate fashion seasons. Your normal summer wear will fit right in . .. .

    Have a happy Thanksgiving!!!

  21. This post turned me off too.
    When you said
    “I just do NOT understand why your kid has to dress like a muppet to prove s/he is indeed being a kid,”
    I thought about one of my pet peeves: how some people dress their kids uber-fashionably to show how cool *they* are. Let kids dress like kids, not mini-trendsters. But that’s a tangent.

    1. I totally disagree. Bee and Khr don’t know light. They know TIGHT and UPTIGHT. Seriously, I wish you were at our Thanksgiving table tomorrow, SK. You and your impeccably dressed kids can come make mud turnovers at our home, then sling it at the tight-gassed killjoys who over-everything and hijack YOUR blog.

      To be fair, I actually thought I’d hate your books, but I LOVED them, especially Moose. You make me laugh my cotton-clad ass off on a regular basis, and I never check the comments, but with the holidays had time to leave my reader and view the actual blog. Nice new design. May I ask, if it’s not too much, who did it for you? And also, if it’s not too personal, how in fuck’s sake do you put up with some of the ree’s who comment on here? And lastly, now that I’ve hijacked, if you had to bring a side dish, any side, to someone’s home what would you bring? I pulled the vegetarian card.

  22. Eh? Unless they’re spandex “sweat” pants I’m not sure how you can see everything. Or perhaps the guys you’ve seen refuse to wear underwear which is an entirely different subject matter.

  23. Oh what the hell; I’ll jump in. I’m big on value & comfort and my experience w/”character” printed T’s, pjs, etc. is that they feature neither quality — generally overpriced, uncomfortable and badly made. Once upon a time there was a store called “kids r us” — hardly a high-end emporium. That is where I purchased the vast majority of my daughter’s play/preschool wear for years — they had the basics in 100% cotton & in every color. Quality doesn’t have to mean big $.

    All that aside, is Abigail definitely ready for a bed? If she’s still doing the diaper removal thing, she’ll have the potential to go free range and spread the contents all over the house.

  24. It all sounds so stifling. Making sure the correct pants go with the correct shirts in the closet so they know what goes together…kids love to make their own decisions when it comes to getting dressed, it instills so pride in them when they can tell someone that they picked out their outfit by themselves. It all sounds very micromanaged.

    1. I grew up in Montana and when our California cousins would come to visit, we would razz them constantly over the face that their mother always dressed them in matchy match outfits. The stripes on their tube socks HAD to match their outfits or she’d pitch a fit. As a couple of ragamuffins from the country, this attention to fashion was just too easy o pick on.

  25. I can honestly say that when I read it the first time I too was bothered.

    “Thank God Phil agrees with me. We just don’t want our kids wearing cartoon Dora or Diego clothes, not to mention anyone from Sesame Street. Prance around in anything you’d like when you’re at home, makes you dance like a dervish, go for it, but please never leave the house wearing an Elmo t-shirt.”

    Whatever, to each his own. I don’t always agree with what you write, but I do appreciate your perspective and opinion, one that you’ve shared with us freely and unscripted. My kids have walked out the door in polka dots and stripes, mismatched socks and hair all a tussle. But we’re more than fine with that. We figure we’ll have bigger battles to fight later on during the high school years. For now, as long as they can get out the door with clothes on their little bodies, I’m thrilled.

    Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

    Ana

  26. So what if you’re weird about your kids’ clothes? I’m kinda weird about mine too. I don’t freak over pajamas necessarily.. a lot of them they have received as gifts or I got on clearance (thanks Walmart for the $1.00 High School Musical sleep stuff last season.. some that *blink* even, right when my 7 year old twins were discovering that) but to school? I’m a little weird. People get way too freaked out by honesty.

  27. I started to read comments and then stopped.

    Anwyay, I do that, I go through my kids’ drawers and get rid of things that are stained or threadbare or just awful. Who doesn’t?

    My son gets attached to one or two things, even though he has plenty of clothing, and he’ll wear those one or two things over and over and over until they are absolute eyesores. I have to SECRETLY get rid this kind of thing when it’s worn out, and then we have angst for a while and then he gets over it and moves on to obssessing about some other item. Life’s tough, but there’s nothing wrong with kids learning that their clothing should look presentable and that things do wear out eventually.

  28. Here is what I think is funny… Stephanie writes a controversial blog like this one, she says she is all for freedom of speech and that she doesn’t give a shit what people think and if she ever does it won’t be a “REAL” blog anymore. But, the second anyone calls her out for being a snobby bitch she immediately backs down. Come on Stephanie if your going to be a snobby bitch at least have the back bone to stand behind it. Just so were clear I won’t be reading this blog or buying your books anymore either… I am just too white trash for you.

    1. Here is what I think is sad not funny… Sam got up at 3:26am on Thanksgiving to write this. That even on this one day of the year where she could have transcended and taken a higher road she felt it important to in the middle of the night judge Stephanie for of all things being reflective in her thoughts no matter if it meant her being conciliatory.

      Good work Sam. It takes all kinds to show us the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

      1. Sorry to break it to you Phil, but some of us work third shift and read the blog at work, or she could be up early, on Thanksgiving, because she cooking!

        And Stephanie doesn’t really need you to defend her, she has no
        problem judging others then blaming it on “drunk blogging”. As someone else stated, that is what comments are for, SK wrote something and
        the people posted here commented on it. End of story.

        1. Author

          And then people comment on the comments, and call comments inappropriate, and judge back, and apologize, and roll eyes, and yell at Phil, and yell at me, and yell at one another, and get each other’s backs. It’s the way it goes. And you know what? I’m thankful for the people who defend our country and our rights to free speech, and I’m thankful for the DELETE key where I don’t have to post comments if I simply don’t feel like it. It’s the way it goes.

  29. Ok so look. No need to get bent out of shape about all this.

    Comments are there for just that reason. For readers to comment.

    People are free to write what they want, and if it disagrees with SK, so what. That’s their opinion. It’s hardly hijacking the blog.

    And it hardly merits an insult from other readers (or from Phil) in my opinion.

    SK likes to put herself out there. Some of her opinions may upset some readers.

    The comments speak for themselves. Kudos to SK for showing them. And also for probably realizing the blogging drunk, like dialing drunk, can create difficulties.

  30. It frightens me that this has become a real “argument”. Has someone forgotten that this is fact a blog, which would be entirely a journal if not for the fact that SK has published two books and achieved fame and notoriety even before that?

    I’m not a mom, but I was a kid. While my mom was more like SK, she gave me the option to pretty much wear whatever I wanted. I still opted for clothes that did not leave me feeling like a walking advertisement. AND I STILL LOVE MY CARTOONS. I’ve always liked clothes that don’t itch and unfortunately polyester is not one of those fabrics.

  31. Hey Phil,

    Your high horse called and he wants you to get off him. Happy Thanksgiving!

    That is all.

  32. Julie, class and refined are for Royalty, which pardon the grey Poupon, I suspect you are not.

  33. Wow! I can’t imagine what this would be like if she had blogged about health care or abortion! People are way too upset by this! I’m not a mom so I really don’t have an opinion about the clothes kids wear. I like that SK kept the comments open, she could close them. BUT… I don’t get why Phil feels he needs to down right insult people about their comments, or defend Stephanie. SK’s a smart cookie and can handle herself just fine. FYI: I have your books, I’ve written you (and you so kindly responded) and I’ve been reading this blog for years and guess what? I’ll be here tomorrow!

  34. My mother would love for me to be like this —- cleaning out the faded, spotted, and the polyester. But my sons would not.

  35. I love to steal a few minutes from lunch and read this blog and laugh. Today I teared up and was quite upset. WHY? Many of us read this blog because we identify in some way with Stephanie. I am almost the exact same age and really enjoyed all the details about music, clothing etc in Moose. Stephanie provides a dialogue about many subjects I either care about or enjoy reading about. I read an article about a month ago about how children need to be taught very directly to be open minded about race. People divide into groups of us versus them in all contexts of their lives-as adults we continue this thinking pattern. Because Stephanie is so open we feel like she is one of us. Today her comments about kids wearing cartoon clothing made me feel like I wasn’t in her group anymore (figuratively) My mind went on a tangent and I started feeling bad that my three year old wears mostly hand me downs and that I don’t have a lot of choice in what he wears. I also thought how his clothing that he does get to choose is so important to him. I remember a CARS t-shirt he selected before he was two that could get us out the door faster in the morning. My son talks about his clothing to everybody and anybody. If he knows he got it from his idol, cousin Hayden, everybody knows about it. Someone made him a photo t-shirt that has a picture of him as newborn cuddled by my mother and father. He loves to wear it and tell the other children about it at daycare. I too have my own judgmental moments. The parents that wear pajamas and then walk into the school just about drive me crazy! I just don’t see why a green Diego shirt that lights up is a bad thing. I also do have my son dress up in khaki’s and a button down( hand me downs) for family dinners and special events. Kids identify with characters for many reasons. I think I remember from Developmental psychology that they really don’t know the difference between cartoon characters and real life during pre-school. Thanks to my loser soon to be wasband I will never be able to afford labels but I like to look nice and professional. A spider man shirt makes my son feel as good as somebody else feels in Gucci. Life is tough and I want him to spend as much time in his pretend world as he can. I feel that Stephanie works very hard for what she has and should not be attacked for wanting nice things or having a nanny. I think that we have to realize that our responses to this post may be impacted by other things going on in our own lives. I tend to think that Stephanie speaks very openly and is not really mean spirited. We don’t want our best friends to tell us we dress our kids funny and that’s probably why I reacted to her post the way I did. I know she isn’t a real friend, but in many ways and on many days she feels like one.
    ALSO- I suspect Helen may have a personality disorder-just saying-responding to her in any form just gives her the attention she wants- I wonder if she is able to keep a job for very long with those people skills.

    1. Speech mom, I am able to keep this job BECAUSE of my personality.

      Most of my coworkers are complete rich$$$ idiots, (YOU, know what I mean), which allows me to perfect my Oscar worthy performance, while unapologetically spitting in their extra hot venti lattes with skim milk.

      Besides which, mommy, I haven’t the time to play with you, as Gorgeous George is wanting his mid morning latte.

    2. oh and speech mom while you steal time away from yourself, watch as I steal yet, another printer.

  36. Stephanie has always been snobby- but please know that I think there is nothing wrong with being a snob ( I tend to think it means you have good tastes). I read this blog as an escape from my life- unlike Stephanie I am not rich, do not live in a big house, do not have a house-keeper, a craft room, am not uber-successful or a mother ( although I aim to be all of the above) Of course she doesn’t like cheesy kids polyester pj’s, come on people, is this really a surprise? Have you been reading her blog? Have you read her books? She’s always been snobby and honestly, from one snob to another, I like it.

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