Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Funny Christmas Cards OR Child Abuse??

Had the first ever controversial post on my FB page last night/this AM. I feel like I need to talk about it, because it is ALL I can think about..

Last week a friend of mine sent me a sneak peak of her Christmas card photo. I almost peed my pants I laughed SO hard. I know this person... I know what type of life she leads. I know she is a wonderful mother, as I have seen it first hand. I know that her children are happy, well loved, have everything they could ever ask for- and more. Much like my life- she LOVES being a mom. She is fabulous with them- she has patience of a saint. I give her SO much credit. I met her online thru some party pages, and we are local and became fast friends. She gets me, and I get her. I send her sneaks of my parties, and she lets me borrow her goods. It's a great friendship. I don't know if I have EVER met a sweeter person. NOT kidding. When she sent me the sneak she told me I should make a card sample, use her photo and put it in the shop. I have been busy, and I didn't want to "jack" her idea! I told her I'd owe her, BIG. She e-mailed me again a couple days later and told me I still needed to do it.

So, last night I "found" some time (1am!) to put it to work. I used her pic, laid it out, added some glitter and it was SO cute. I could hardly stand it!! I posted right away! When I went to bed I had TWO likes and one comment... The usual for me! Haha. I awoke to my husband calling- he had spoken to my friend who had been trying to get a hold of me, and asked me to take it down. I immediately proceeded to check in on my card and it had 90+ likes, 24 shares and a LOT of comments. I didn't even get a chance to read them all. I KNEW I had to get it down because in my browsing, some of these comments were questioning the parenting of this person I call my FRIEND.

Not ONE person had msg'd me privately to ask me about it. Not ONE person asked me if they are good parents. Not one person noticed that her kids were having FUN or that they were dressed in Gymboree clothing- I digress. Not one person asked if the duct tape was REALLY stuck to their faces (it wasn't!!). Not one person noticed that they were not REALLY tied in the lights...

I was SO upset. Upset that my friend was HURT by these comments. Upset that people have NO sense of humor anymore and that the negative is the first thought on everyone's mind.

I took the pic down, and made a post. A lot of people never even saw the adorable card. A lot of people don't even know the hurt they have made me OR my dear friend have. I know this person... she is a good mom.

If I had put a disclaimer, would it have made a difference?? Humor is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. But, I feel sorry for all those people who cannot take a joke.

And, as food for thought, here are some other people who have done the SAME type of card/s. I wonder how much criticism they received...

http://pinterest.com/pin/101542166570237821/
http://pinterest.com/pin/101542166570237827/
http://pinterest.com/pin/101542166570237828/
http://pinterest.com/pin/101542166570237825/

Please comment, please let me know your thoughts and opinions on the matter. I'd love to hear them.