Open Letter to young Ryland Kallman

That was laugh-out-loud funny. Especially the last line of the letter.

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I wonder if the network is already planning a reality show about the therapy he'll have to go through for the rest of his life.

(I also think the State of New York should provide him with a certificate for a free name change, redeemable at age 18...)

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So, when this article first came out I was just as befuddled/bemused as the next person at the whole Alpha Mom thing and thought "Oh good lord, this can't be for real." But reading this Metafilter letter about the son, I have to say: what's it to you, internet? I mean, live and let live, right? Who cares about the kid's name? My children have different names and when I wrote an article once with their names in it I actually got a hate letter from someone who objected to them. Why do people even give a damn? So, I just have to ask, who cares if this family chooses to live a certain way? Really, why get so bent out of shape about it and then include this poor kid? He loves his mom, no doubt. Why does he need to find this kind of stuff, directed at him, some day (probably much sooner than age 18)? Kalman probably had the misled impression that Alpha Mom TV would help people (and, perhaps, for some it will), and she talked waaaaay too much in that article and said a bunch of dumb things but it seems as if anybody who tries to do something high profile, somebody, somewhere, no matter what it is you are doing, will find a reason to bitch about it. I am sure many bloggers have been attacked on their own blogs for things related to parenting that they did or thought or said or wrote and it probably hurt. It is not just the Isabel Kalman's of the world who get the fire, it happens to parents everywhere, everyday. Why can't we just back off each other (and, especially, leave the kids out of it) and let each other carry on the way we feel is right for ourselves and our families?

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One of the commenters makes a good point -- no one beats up workaholic dads the same way.

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First of all, why do you assume that the NY Mag article was a fair representation of Isabel, Alpha Mom TV and the Kallman family? Have you spoken to Isabel? Have you watched Alpha Mom TV? How can you judge then? Was it only from the slanted second-hand account in NY Mag?

Melissa, given your personal experience with the NY Times earlier this year, very surprised to read this from you. No less, as Cooper highlights, dragging Isabel's son into the equation. Very disappointed in you-- you seem quite smug that this Metafilter letter was written-- as if-- "Ha! she deserves it?"

Melissa-- do you consider yourself part of the media now or still a blogger? If so, perhaps you should do some fact checking, rather than spreading HATE on the internet. If not, forgive me, you obviously don't have a journalistic code to respect. Unless of course you feel that there's a greater code we should all be repecting....

A Former Fan, Regi

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I took Cooper's words to heart and gave them a lot of thought. It's true. We do need to live and let live. I felt Ms Kallman's profile in New York Magazine was amusing, for several reasons. I thought the letter was amusing, for several reasons.

I didn't feel I was "spreading the hate" I didn't feel smug about the letter. I thought the letter was amusing and Ms Kallman's belief that there is a right and researchable way to raise children seems sad to me. It's only my opinion. There was no way to "fact check" since I was simply linking to someone else's opinion of Ms Kallman's profile. Sigh.

Sometimes I think things are amusing, I'm sorry that hurts your feelings Regina.

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Melissa--

Here you go again... making assumptions. How do you know Isabel Kallman believes "there is a right and researchable way to raise children?" Did she ever say that? Or, did you read it in the editorial of a misogynistic journalist with a slanted agenda? Have you ever watched any of the programming? Have you ever spoken to Isabel Kallman? Again, how can you judge?

BTW-- you didn't just link to someone else's opinion of Ms Kallman's profile. I read some editorial of your own up there.

Again, very disappointed in you....

Also, saddened that you could be "amused" by yet another "psycho" portrayal of a mother. I guess it would only be my hope that other mothers, whose voices I (or did) view to be important in the community should understand the necessity for skepticism when they read these shocking stories and stereotypes. "SIGH."

- your former fan, Regi

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