I REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE LUCY

As a mother, I am terrified of the onslaught of media influences on our children. I can't stand the 'progress' that has been made in the area of sex and violence used in marketing, music, videos, internet, and well you name it. I am sad for my 8 year old daughter that so many things need to be explained such as why some model on a huge billboard is tugging down on the front of sting bikini in what appears to be a desire to show her 'privates', all while throwing back a vodka at the same time. She appears to be about 12 but I am sure she is at least 17. I hate that I have to discuss oral sex and other such stuff in some detail with my 12 year old because it is a common theme in much of the rap music played at school and sporting events. As I mentioned to Liz the other day, I wish we had made as much progress in fighting cancer in the last 10 years that we have made in getting pornography in front of our children on the internet.

My retaliation for all of this is I LOVE LUCY. My kids and I have been watching the I Love Lucy reruns every night for the last 5 years or so. If we are home, the last hour before we go to bed, you can bet your last dollar we will be sitting on my big bed, cuddled up with lots of pillows, trying to decide which episode to watch for the night. On a week-end we go hog wild and watch 2. It is a routine I am thankful for since Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel are about as innocent as you can get. Sure they puff on a few cigarettes but at least they're not chugging vodka tonics with them. I have never even seen them drink. Also, and I can't explain why, but Lucy is a great stress reducer. Her predicaments with accompanying facial expressions are damn funny and there is a warmth about her and Ethel that makes us feel good. I always tell my kids that whatever it is they're watching on TV, they should think about whether they would invite the cast of characters into our home. Lucy, Ricky, Ethel and Fred are welcome in our home any time. At night especially, it is our little Ambien. A little I LOVE LUCY, lights out, and off to sleep we go. Agh. Nighty Night.