Amber, This One's for You!

Confession: I watched Teen Mom, the show that came after 16 and Pregnant. The show follows 4 teen moms, invades their privacy, while giving me entertainment. Well, it's not really that entertaining, but the show makes me cry a little. I don't know if I cry because I feel sorry for the kids with some of the parents that they have to grow up with, or for the single moms that think that the only option that they have is to live off the government and stay home all day.

I feel like I am in a lucky situation. I have a kid; it's hard at times, but considering the joy that comes out of having a baby, it's not hard at all. I don't live by my parents or siblings that want to babysit constantly for free. I go to school too (and for more than just a GED). I don't sit at home all week because having a kid means that I need to stay home all day under house arrest. I have fun.

Ready for the part that bugs me? Here we go:

There is one girl on the show named Amber that is in such a closed world. Nothing that she every does is wrong, the entire show is pretty much just in her house because she thinks she can't go out, and she blames everything on just having to take care of her kid all day because that is a full time job. Now, that's true. Taking care of a kid is a full time job, infants take naps at least once a day so you can do some dishes.

Judging? Yeah, my bad. She actually is trying to work hard, but she has an "I can't do it" attitude.

But what can she do? Live off the government. Oh course! Don't contribute to society, your family, or your own needs, just have someone else do it for you!

Why, you say, do I have such bitter feelings about people living off government checks? Well, I was never really that mad when I made minimum wage at a part time job, but things change with real jobs. We are not rich by any means, but looking at my husbands paycheck and seeing how much gets taken out for unemployed bums that don't even care to look for a job, grrr. Now as for that teen mom living off the governments, all I have to say is, "Amber, this paycheck goes to you".

I shouldn't bag on her because she is actually trying now. Just those people who don't try. I'll admit it: I'll live off government assisted programs when my husband is in grad school. No shame in that. We'll eventually pay it back with the money that they'll take out of the paychecks later on. Government checks are temporary, not indefinite.

Anyway, no shame, no shame in taking advantage now. Just make a goal to not make it a permanent part of your future.