LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO…
It’s your fault. All yours. Not mine.
I was in the car with my daughter this morning. She’s in high school – her first year. When she’s sweet and kind, which is some of the time but not always most of the time, I let her play Channel Two on Sirius XM when we are in the car.
Let’s face it, some of my stations put me to sleep. I cannot expect her to listen too.
Dancing with a Stranger by Sam Smith came on. Now, I love Sam Smith…don’t get me wrong.
There’s a line in this song: “Look what you made me do, I’m with somebody new…”
It reminded me of Taylor Swift’s song by the same name, Look What You Made Me Do.
Right there in the car with Sam Smith on the radio, I turned into Momster, Lecturer of Everything.
The conversation with my teen went something like this:
Momster: “Why aren’t people taking responsibility for their own actions anymore?”
Daughter, looking around for some irresponsible person nearby: “Huh?”
Momster: The song. It’s like Taylor Swift. Look what you made me do.
Daughter, shocked look on her face: Mom, this is not Taylor Swift.
Momster: I know. But she has the same line in her song. So what kind of message is that sending to you and all the other kids listening?
Daughter: :O
Momster: I mean, sure, maybe you left me, but it was my choice to dance with a stranger. Why am I blaming you for my choices?
Daughter, signing something because she’s speechless and ASL is common in her world: —
Momster: Do you get my point? Taylor Swift wants people to know her actions are not her fault. Someone else made her do them. Now Sam Smith is doing the same thing. He should understand the person made a choice to leave him, but if he’s dancing with a stranger and with someone new, that’s all on him.
Daughter: Mo-ther!
Momster: I just figured it all out.
Daughter, satisfied smile spreads: Good!
Momster: This is what’s wrong with today’s society. This is why there is no personal responsibility anymore. You all get to blame other people for your choices.
Daughter: Mom! Stop it. It’s just a song.
Momster: I know…and look what it made me do. Philosophize
Daughter:facepalm
Kids, take responsibility. That’s what your parents want from you. Just own it. Own your choices. Own your decisions. Own your mistakes. We will love you more. Which means nothing really, because you’ll just be annoyed with more fabulous talks and hugs. And we’ll look at you and say, “You’ve grown. You’re mature and responsible now. And because of it, I love you more. So I’m, going to hug you a lot more. I might even lick my finger and remove that smudge off your face or smooth your hair. Out of love. It’s all out of love. Look what you made me do.”