Let's Break This Down, Shall We...

[starpush]

The "news" of the day... Jamie Lynn Spears, 16 year-old sister of fallen pop starley Britney Spears, is pregnant.

Here then is the AP article and my comments on it. Article in italics and my take in normal text.

NEW YORK (AP) - Jamie Lynn Spears, the 16-year-old "Zoey 101" star and sister of Britney, told OK! magazine that she's pregnant and that

Comments

[niecystrips]

"Nickelodeon should let the 3rd season finish and permanently shelf the 4th season. Zoey 101, as it was, should end. The PR nightmare is obvious."

100% agreed!

[non_fiction]

Oh, I'll criticize her for ending up pregnant. And I'll criticize her mother for contributing these two to our society and thinking it's an excellent plan to go public and make nice about this.

I'm sure the above two sentences offended half of the free world, but as a parent of kids who know who she is and who have friends who watch her show...this is preposterous.

We had a great discussion about teen pregnancy last night, I'll tell you what. As of now, my boys have no question as to where I stand should they find themselves in this situation.

[starpush]

I just edited my post to include a plug for Nick Hornby's new book Slam, which takes on teen pregnancy in a humorous but very honest way and with, get this, Tony Hawk as a central character/figure. Jake might be a bit young for it (as is Bailey) but, damn, what a great book. I think I may read it to Bailey (as opposed to having him read on his own) and use it as a good jumping off point for sex talk, etc.

[non_fiction]

Well, we've already had the sex talk - my explanations were met with a resounding EEEEEEEWWWW from both of them which was hilarious - but I wanted to make it clear that they had better not find themselves with a pregnant girlfriend or I will kill them and tell god that they disappeared.

[starpush]

We've had the "biological" sex talk but haven't had too many discussions of the "do not get anyone pregnant!" variety. When we have brought it up it pretty much goes like this, "If you get someone pregnant and they choose to have the baby your life as you know it is OVER and everything you want for yourself is DONE."

[gaby723]

I agree with everything you said, especially the age thing. I cannot imagine having a child at 16. I was a sophomore in h.s., fully active in sports, got great grades, and was so incredibly immature.

She has money so she'll probably hire a nanny and not have to truly experience the highs and lows of motherhood. It really saddens me when I hear about these young public figures getting pregnant/getting mixed up with drugs and/or alcohol. I don't think they truly understand how other young people look up to them and emulate them. And hello contradiction! Saying premarital sex is something you don't think anyone should do yet YOU still did it, regardless if you think you should or shouldn't be judgemental, is just dumb.

[iamasahm]

Here is the ironic part:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071219/ap_en_ot/people_lynne_spears

Did anyone think she was such a great parent to begin with?!

[starpush]

I saw that too. The fact that someone in the publishing/literary business -- a supposed Christian one, no less -- would give that particular woman a book deal about parenting is just beyond me and a sad commentary on where we are.

Here's a wild idea for a book about parenting: Talking to real everyday, average parents! OMG... what a concept!

Personally, I'd nominate you for that book. Or a photo coffee table book or something because, wow, do you and your kids ever look like you're having fun... cookies, snow, etc. :)

[ophelias_fate]

I completely agree. Not like she didnt know where babies come from.

None of this should be a shock to anyone. I almost felt bad but she did do this to herself so I cant feel bad.

I think it comes down to lynn sucking as a parent and caring more about money than anything else.