Have you ever seen the movie, "Heathers"? It was one of my favorite movies growing up, back in the late '80s. The movie is centralized around a highschool student named Veronica. Veronica joins the popular crowd (the cheerleaders, jocks, etc.), but soon becomes tired of the evil ways of the "Heathers" (the name of the other girls in the clique). Veronica then meets an outsider to the group and they systematically murder the "Heathers" and the "Jocks," making the scenes look like teenage suicide. Charming.

Unless you've seen this movie, you're probably thinking, what the Hell? What a terrible movie! Murder - the horror! Teenage suicide - tragic! Cheerleaders and jocks - our kings and queens victimized - terrible! Actually, the movie's message is one simple fact - just be yourself. I like that and that's what I tell my own children, especially Taterbug who regularly attends *gasp* public school.

You might think comparing teenage prom queens to grammar school girlies is a stretch but in reality, their actions and behaviors are quite similiar and disturbing. Before my kids were ever even old enough to attend school, I worried about the cliques, how'd they fit in, and how many heads would have to roll if someone picked on my child and made them cry. I didn't want a populoid but I also didn't want the geeky smelly kid. Something in the middle would fit me fine.

Then along came school and the drama it brought. Today's school certainly no longer resembles the happy memories you'd find in "Little House on the Prairie." I think it's reached the level of grammar school 90210 - especially if you have a daughter. Little Taterbug is unfortunately realizing this and has encountered her own set of "Heathers." Rather than throwing down some little eight year old brats, I'll just say that I don't like it and I struggle to keep my words in check when telling Taterbug how to handle their nasty comments or looks. I know that my reply to their snarkiness would end up having Taterbug make the long trip to the Principal's Office.

I guess there should be some sort of point to this blog, and there is. Don't let your daughter become a "Heather." Don't enable her with the tools to go to school and be a snooty little twit who relishes in the fact that she can make other people feel insecure or even worse, bad about themselves. Thankfully, I have a very strongwilled daughter who's confident and normally very secure about her quirks. An angel she isn't, but at least she's not a follower or a "Heather." And, if I ever see a "Heather" side emerging from her little body, I'll remind her that, "The extreme always seem to make an impression (quote from the movie), " and then I'll knock her about the head to change any negative 'tudes. Oh yeah, I'll also tell her that murdering "Heathers" - or anyone for that fact - is bad. Don't worry, she won't see the movie to get any ideas ;o).

Here's a clip from the movie, just in case I peaked your curiosity: