Teresa vs. Everyone Else

Well- the first part of the reunion of the Real Housewives of NJ aired on Sunday night and it was quite a show.  Jacqueline was a no show and a war is brewing against Caroline and Teresa. 

Now -I love all the housewives of NJ, (except for Danielle).  I am from NJ and some of the housewives go to my beach each summer.  I have always loved Teresa, Caroline and Jacqueline.  Dina was my favorite. The reason I love them is that they are REAL.  They aren't very bright, but they are all about their kids and their families. They have outrageous husbands and they have the largest houses I have ever seen. Their vocabulary reminds me of home.  Teresa has her cookbook with all kinds of ingredientses.  Youz guys are as Italian as the Olive garden!

Last season the big fight on the reunion show started with Danielle pointing out that Teresa didn' t recognize the birth of her nephew.  Coincidentally this season's opening episode started with a big fight at the christening party of Teresa's nephew.

Everyone is ganging up on Teresa, does she deserve it?  To some degree yes. But come on-it is

Teresa- this is what we love about her. She lets her children run amok in the grocery store. Her seven year old daughter walks the runway and tries to mend the relationships within the family. She spends wildly, even though she is bankrupt. She flips the dinner table and throws Andy Cohen around like a rag doll.

                                Caroline loves to be adored by everyone.  She shys away from situations that could be controversial.  She wasn't at the fashion show when the infamous hair pulling took place.  She did stand up for Teresa against Kim G.  I have no idea who to cheer for at this point. 

I wish that Teresa could realize how shallow she appears to be.

She is still one of my favorites and I think she has allowed the Bravo producers influence her to do certain crazy things.

Teresa- take an objective look at yourself- you don't come off too great this season. You appear to be jealous and insensitive.  we all know that you have money trouble and your husband is kind of a jerk. Now is the time to mend your friendships.

October is Bully Awareness month

I travel by several schools each day and they have this logo prominently displayed on their marquees.  Bullying is a real problem these days and there is no escape when the child gets home because they still get bullied on Face book.    I just found out that a 12 year old boy in our tiny neighborhood killed himself last week because he was being bullied at his middle school.  This is so heart-breaking. I didn't know him or his mother nor do I know all of the details.  This story never made the news.   I know that many bully-induced suicide cases have made the news lately- just think about how many never made the news.

When I was a kid I was bullied and it did a lot of psychological damage. I have low self esteem and I don't stick up for myself like I should. I do feel like I champion the little guys in the classroom.  I am much more sensitive to this issue in my classes,but let me tell you- it isn't always the students that are the bullies.  If the school system wants to stop bullying they need to start by practicing what they preach. The county office officials reign by fear.  There is fear if you speak out about issues.  The principals are afraid to stand up against the officials above them due to fear of transfer.  The same fear trickles down through the ranks. I know an administrator that was suspended for jacking up a student, sexually harassing teachers and students and he was transferred and promoted to principal.  What message does that send to the bullied students and teachers?

People who bully allow that power to replace something that is lacking in their lives. They revel in making someone feel lower than them. Isn't that what made the Nazi's so powerful?  As a parent- if you are the mom that gossips with your kids about others- you are part of the problem. Bullying isn't just physical- much of it is psychological.  Wake up everyone- let us stop picking on others to transfer the power to ourselves.  THAT IS WHAT BULLYING IS ALL ABOUT!