Taking It Out of Park

Every now and then, I kick around the idea of starting another blog. I read other blogs, I read sites about blogs, and then I come to the conclusion that my life is too kaleidoscopic for the narrow point of view most blog 'experts' recommend.

Today I came to another conclusion about that: "so what".

I'm not out to make money, I'm not looking to be hired to blog professionally. I really wouldn't even be bothered if nobody read this but my cat. So why blog in the first place? Well, to put my two cents out there, for one thing. With so many heavy political blogs, and so many sickeningly cheerful mommy blogs out there, I figured I'd put my thoughts and opinions out there, too.

Now, you might be wondering about the title. On an obvious level, I hate minivans and refuse to ever drive one. I just can't stomach the thought of being one of them. You know...(looks around, then whispers) soccer moms. I refuse to buy into the notion that running the kids to 57 different activities is somehow good for them, or me for that matter. The minivan screams to me 'here is a person whose life has become that of a taxi driver'.

I'm of the (sometimes unpopular) opinion that having kids shouldn't mean my life revolves 100% around them. They are part of my life, yes, and I love them. But they are not my entire life. I have lots of other interests, and they don't include kids. I don't have a problem with it, Jeep Dad doesn't have a problem with it, and the kids seem to be just fine with it. But boy, do other people get bent out of shape! How dare I have kids and not cater every second, every breath to them! How dare I keep up with my hobbies and intellectual pursuits and not anchor my self-esteem to my kids' accomplishments!

I guess I just feel that I'm raising kids who are more independent than many I see out there, while maintaining the 'me' that will still be here when they've moved on. I don't see myself suffering badly from empty nest syndrome. I don't see my kids having big problems with cutting the apron strings when the time comes. Our family has a foundation of love, caring, and preparing the kids for life; not a foundation of dependence. There is a huge difference, and it seems to be blurred in some families.

So...what do I drive? A Jeep. It fits the five of us very nicely, hauls our groceries and gear, and seems to suit my practical personality very well.