Sounding Off - from a mother’s point of view

So this post is coming out of left-field, but it’s something that has really been weighing on me, which is kind of ridiculous since I don’t know any of the parties involved. But nonetheless, it’s either this or me whining about how FILTHY! NASTY! HOT! it is outside.

Okay, so Lindsay Lohan. Can I just say how much her recent behavior has saddened me. Not because I’m a fan (because I’m totally not), or any other reason except the fact that she is a young girl who is searching so hard for something she will never find. Atleast not on the path she’s crrently on. And as much as it made me sad to hear of her getting arrested shortly after leaving rehab, what is really sickening to me is the poor excuses for parent’s that she has.

I briefly remember her father getting arrested about four years ago, and if that’s not enough stress, I don’t know what is. But the more I read about her, the more I’m reading about people coming out and saying how much her parents pushed her into stardome. I can understand a parent wanting to let their kid be happy, and if performing on stage is what they want, parents will strive for that. But there is a line, isn’t there? All I keep thinking when I think of this situation (and other’s - Drew Barrymore, Britney Spears, Macaulay Culkin, Michael Jackson, just to a name a few although I really could go on) is why are their parent’s not protecting them? When did they decide it was more important to be friends with their children than to be their parents? Letting them have co-ed sleepovers at 12 and 13, letting them drink and “have a good time” (aka clubbing) before they’ve even turned 16 - what is wrong with these people?

Everytime I hear of any parent pushing their child into the lime-light, it makes my heart ache. I know there must be child actors - some of my favorite movies and sitcoms employ these young people, but when greed takes over, or the need to live vicariously through them and parents push and push their children to the breaking point, and then act all shocked and saddened when they’re asked to respond to why their child has entered rehab for the third time, it’s sickening. I can not imagine Conner being thrust into these types of situations and him feeling like it doesn’t matter what he does or how young he is, he’s on his own. And the parent’s don’t think of it this way but they are basically abandoning their children.

A friend of mine recently told me of her up-bringing and while her parents loved her, they often left her in compromising situations and she has struggled for over a decade of harboring horrible feelings towards them because she was not protected by them. And because of their own selfishness, those feelings will follow her for the rest of her life. Thankfully, nothing bad actually happened to her, but not everyone fares so well, esp. these children that are growing up in Hollywood. It just makes me so very sad.

I really could go on and on about this particular subject, but I won’t. I just rest in the fact that my children will always find rescue and protection with me. And if they ever ask if they can have a co-ed sleepover, they will always be met with a shocked face, followed by the words, “Child, you must be crazy.”