How do you react when someone famous dies?

For those living under a rock Michael Jackson “King of Pop” passed away this morning from a heart attack.

It made me think of people’s reactions when a celebrity dies.

When I heard the news of Michael’s death I was shocked, not upset or teary, just shocked. When I heard Farrah Fawcett had died I was saddened. When I heard the news of Princess Diana’s death I was shocked and a little bit upset. When Belinda Emmett died, I cried, when Jane McGrath died, I cried. Our reactions to celebrities dying I think are quite fascinating.

Is it strange that we get upset? Or is it strange or are we not human if we don’t feel anything and don’t get upset? We often feel like we know celebrities as we watch what they are up to through the media, hence our often personal and emotional reactions.

How did you react to Michael’s death or another celebrity’s? We’re you surprised by your reaction?

A gay man & a newly divorcee. Will they make great parents? Absolutely!

So while we’re on the subject of little people I thought we might have a chat about Sonia and Todd. Who? You ask. Sonia Kruger and Todd McKenney. You know the people off Dancing with the Stars.

So, they have been friends for ever, about 26 years and apparently had a fling back in the day. Todd is gay and Sonia is recently divorced, both are 44. Todd has a daughter with a another close friend.

So where is all this going!! It was revealed yesterday in the Australian Women’s Weekly that Todd has asked Sonia to have a baby with him.

He loves kids, she loves kids, she wants a baby, and knows her biological clock is ticking and might not find Mr Right in time and he would like another child. All sounds good to me. So, end of story? Not quite, of course I have something else to say!

I honestly think that it is a fantastic idea. In this day and age becoming a parent is not as simple anymore as just having sex, and nor should it be. If mother nature or circumstances decides that a woman can’t carry a baby or concieve the old fashioned way then she shouldn’t have to accept it and get over it. People who often have to go to greater lengths to have a baby will no doubt make wonderful parents to their much wanted child. Would they make better parents because they have had to work harder to have a baby? Maybe? Who knows.

Anyway so what are your thoughts on the Sonia and Todd situation? We recently saw the story of the gay couple who travelled all the way to India to have a surrogate give birth to their twin girls. They copped plenty of flak for their decision but I guarantee you they are making wonderful parents.

Lord knows there’s plenty of people out there becoming parents the old fashioned way who shouldn’t even be given the responsibility of a gold fish let alone another human being.

So once again just because you can’t become a parent the old fashioned way, does that mean who shouldn’t be able to? You know what I think, what do you think?

Footloose & child free

I recently wrote about “Flicking the Mummy Switch” and how and  when you decide that you want to have kids. I thought we’d explore the other side of having little people, and that’s choosing not to have them at all.

The concept of not wanting to have children is completely foreign to me but that doesn’t mean that I’m not interested in those who have chosen not to reproduce.

Sometimes I think that there are women who talk about having kids because that’s what society expects of us. I had a friend in high school who did not like kids at all, but yet would still talk about having children. I wonder if she thought she’d ‘like kids’ by the time she came to have children or if she talked about kids because that’s what was expected of her? I have no idea if she has kids now.

Actress Cameron Diaz recently spoken out about her choice not to have children. She believes that many women are afraid to admit they don’t want to have children.

She said despite the fact there were too many children in the world already, women who chose not to be mums were made to feel they were unnatural.

“I think women are afraid to say that they don’t want children because they’re going to get shunned,” Cameron told Cosmoplitan magazine.

“But I think that’s changing too now. I have more girlfriends who don’t have kids than those that do. And honestly? We don’t need any more kids. We have plenty of people on this planet.” But “I never say never. I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said. “I could end up adopting half a dozen kids, or I could end up being the next ‘octomum’.”

I have no idea of what the deep and meaningful reasons are behind those who don’t want to have children.

But I’m sure I can come up with some general ones:

• Career driven.
• Selfish – in a good way. Likes time to themselves and with their partner.
• Maybe time just got away and the biological clock ticked too far.
• Basically they just don’t like children.

Whatever the reasons may be, obviously we are all different. So if you have decided not to have children don’t be ashamed or think you can’t voice your views. And if you know someone who has decided not to have children don’t try and understand it if you can’t. Just accept it.