Life & Vincent J.

So I found myself @ the local tattoo/piercing parlor today. For once it wasn’t for myself. I was there as moral support for my one and only younger sister, Alexa who was getting her belly button pierced. For weeks, she nagged my parents to be able to get it. She used the popular “Amanda had hers pierced when she was my age. So, you hafta let me do it” reasoning. By the way, I’m Amanda. And yes, I DID get my belly button pierced when I was 14. But, I wasn’t ALLOWED to get it done. Sick of being shot down by my parents, I jumped on the R train and went to St. Marks Place in the city where I didn’t NEED parental consent and got it done. The only person I showed when I got it done was Alexa, who was 2 at the time. Fast forward 12 years to today. I’m watching as Alexa is laying on the table about to be pierced and I find myself a bit sentimental. I can’t believe she’s old enough to WANT a belly button ring, let alone old enough to go get it pierced. I was a little misty eyed and I really don’t know if it was because I was about to watch my baby sister be in pain (for a second) or because it was just another sign that she’s growing up. When she started High School in September, I wasn’t as choked up as I was today. But still, I was happy to be there for her. And kinda touched she WANTED me there for moral support. I just chalk it up as its my duty as Big Sister. I guess this means when my brother turns 18 in February, ill be taking someone for his first tattoo! Sorry Mom!!! Lol

When you’re a younger person, no one’s really too concerned with what you’re doing or how you’re doing it. When you have a baby, suddenly, everyone is all too eager to give you their *unsolicited* opinion. To tell you how THEY did it, how YOU should do it, what NOT to do, and how you’re already permanently damaging your little bundle of joy. I assume, since you’ve got so much child rearing advice, you must have a few kids of your own. Since I’m the one who will have to pay for his therapy if I do screw him up, why don’t you let me raise MY kid MY way? Just Sayin’