My mommy point of view

I am now in my third trimester of pregnancy.  Bring on the miserable southern heat and overwhelming sense of discomfort!  

Here's what I've discovered during my adventure down first time motherhood avenue......my point of view and perspective has changed on a lot of things not to mention my desires and interests.   Today, the Supreme Court backed the First Amendment to Right of Free Speech by rejecting a 2005 California law on the selling of violent video games to children.  

As a pretty staunch Conservative, I must admit that I've found myself in conflict over this.   On the one hand, I think it's a shame that violence is portrayed so non-chalantly in the media either through video games, movies, books, or even television shows.   However, free speech is a right that is protected under the US Constitution and I have to firmly believe that our founding fathers would agree with this decision as well.   I suppose what concerns me most about all of this is the easy access children have to such violence, but at what point does the responsibility of allowing that access fall upon anyone except the parents?

My brother and I had video games growing up.   We watched television and read books, but  our parents ALWAYS knew what we were doing (I need to find out how they knew so that I can use these same tricks on my child).   Our parents were involved in every aspect of our lives.   We couldn't go out and buy video games unless they were approved of by our parents.  Of course they couldn't control what our friends did nor how those parents took on their parenting responsibilities, but they did know when we were doing something against the rules even if  it were at a friend's house.   Once again, how they knew, I don't know. 

My understanding is that a lot of parents our outraged over the Supreme Court's ruling and I can't help but wonder if that's because as parents they fear they are going to have to actually do their jobs......discipline and parent.   No longer can parents just rely on the government to do a job that should never have been the government's responsibility from the start.   Parents are going to have to be held more accountable for their actions and how they choose to raise their child.   Personally, as a mother-to-be, I applaud this approach because in the end it should be my decision and my choice and my responsibility on what my child can watch.   Parents have to be held a lot more liable these days and I just feel that hasn't been the case as our government has become more and more involved.  

My mommy point of view has changed my perspecetive on a lot of things, but it's a point of view that I'm embracing and holding on tightly too.   We only get one real shot to be parents to our children and to teach them right from wrong, and the meaning of the words respective and compassion.   We get only one real shot to make a difference in our children's lives, hopefully a positive one, and why would we want the government to take some sort of credit for our hard work by taking away our choices and rights to parent?  

I believe this ruling is a victory for all parties involved.