"Kiss me."
"Be mine."
"I'm wild for you."
WTH, kids? Or maybe I should say WTH, "Valentine's card manufacturers who make these messages for children?" This mother is seriously confused about all the cheeky romance swirling in elementary school these days.
Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays, but part of me remembers it laced with all sorts of stress as a child — candy hearts with messages that made me blush, cards with big puckered lips, that red rose and white teddy bear that Matthew gave me in the 5th grade to profess his crush on me — in front of everyone! on the playground! — that embarrassed my shy self beyond what I thought I could feel at that time in my life.
I'd buy a box of premade cards with my mom at the store and then strategically decide which ones would be addressed to who so that no one would in my class would accidentally get a "Kiss me" and make fun of me or feel embarrassed that I gave it to them.
I even thought it was weird back then
Repeat after me:
I will not let my elementary-aged child distribute Valentines that will make another kid feel awkward about romance — even if we think it's hilarious to do so.
I will not encourage my elementary son/daughter to put another child on the spot, in front of others, by presenting any kind of surprise involving the words "I'm crushing on you," "Kiss me, you fool," or "Be mine" — even if we think it's "oh-so-sweet because OMG they have a crush!"
Too prudish? Maybe. Or maybe I just want my kids to be kids while they still are kids.
Elementary school is for building friendships, not romantic relationships. Join me and ditch the smoochy-kissy messaging for children this year. I'll love you forever if you do.
XOXO
(Names have been changed throughout.)
