On today’s Oprah, Oprah was talking to parents who hired a stripper for their son’s 16th birthday party. Yes, you read that right. They hired a stripper for their 16 year old son.

Initially the stripper was topless and dancing around for the boys. Then the boys gathered up enough money to pay the stripper to go fully nude. And the mother of the birthday boy handed the money to the stripper. The mother. Handed the money. To the stripper. *gasp* I mean that literally. I gasped when they said that.

After the stripper got nude, the mother left the room because she “didn’t want to be around that.” Excuse me. You don’t want to be around that but it’s ok for your children.

The mother’s fourteen year old son was also there. FOURTEEN YEAR OLD SON. The fourteen year old son took explicit photos of the stripper, the stripper’s personal private parts, and the stripper with the other boys.

Then, after the party, the mother took the photos to Walgreens. And [according to the mother] here’s where it becomes Walgreens fault. The mother specifically told the girl behind the counter at Walgreens to send the photos out and not develop them in the store. But the girl did not listen apparently and now it’s all her fault that the mother and father went to jail. [Ok, so the mother didn't come right out and blame Walgreens and the girl, but she certainly implied that.]

Not long after she dropped the film off at Walgreens the mother was in jail. The father was also arrested. She pled guilty to the use of a minor for obscene purposes. The father pled guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Oprah asked the mother if she regretting hiring the stripper. And you know what the woman said? She said “NO.” WTF? Can you flippin’ believe that?

Let’s just forget about how morally wrong and irresponsible it is to hire a stripper for teenage children for a second. Because of this, these people spent time in jail, almost got their names on the sex offender registry, have become local “celebrities” with their pictures all over the paper and in the news, basically lost their house painting business because people in their community don’t want to hire such people, and almost lost their home because with little income coming in it’s hard to pay bills.

And she still doesn’t regret hiring a stripper. She does, however, regret getting caught. Ain’t that a bitch when you do something wrong and illegal and then you get caught and do jail time? Bummer.

Can you just feel my sympathy for this woman?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against strippers. I’ve experienced my fair share of strippers and strip joints. I had a stripper at my 21st/my mom’s 40th birthday party. But that was a guy and his little speedo looking underwear stayed on the whole time. And I also hired a stripper for my husband’s 30th birthday. Now that girl went completely nude [well except for her boots], but none of our children were present.

However, I would never ever ever hire a stripper for one of my children while they were still a minor. Call me crazy, but I consider it my job to teach my sons [and daughter] morals and right from wrong. And yes I think it is degrading to women [and men] that they strip for money. But they are adults who chose that path. And it is somewhat entertaining. Not an every other weekend thing, but a one time for a special occassion thing. I also know drinking alcohol is not good for my body, but I occassionally have a few [sometime more] drinks because it’s fun and not illegal. Sometimes we indulge in things that are not good for us or even maybe moral, but we are human and we do it. Live with it.

But when it comes to kids, NO! This mother said, “The way I feel about things in life with kids is: If they’re going to do something—try something—I want them to do it while I’m around.” That way she knows their safe. WHAT? I know my kids may try pot, so I’ll just buy some and we can do it together at home. I know my kids are going to have sex so I’ll just invite his girlfriend over and make sure they do it right and use a condom. I don’t think anybody would consider those two examples to be acceptable, so what part of your brain tells you it’s ok to buy your kids porn or strippers or alcohol?

(1) It’s illegal. It’s illegal to photograph a minor in a sex act. It’s child pornography. This mother just allowed her 14 year old to become a child porn photographer and allowed her 16 year old and his friends to be victims of child pornography. And she doesn’t regret it.

(2) It’s morally not right. You are the parent. You job is to teach your child how to follow the right path. This is your chance to try and allow your kids to learn from your mistake. Yes, you may have drove drunk and now you know fully understand the consquences with that. Now it’s your responsiblity to teach your kids that it’s wrong. Doesn’t mean they will listen to you. Doesn’t mean they may not make the same mistakes. But at least you gave it your best shot and you know you did everything you could.

When you hire a stripper or buy your underage kid beer you are telling them you think it’s ok. I know you’re going to look at porn, I know you’re going to have sex, I know you’re going to drink beer, so I’m not going to stop you. I know it’s illegal, but at least you’re are breaking the law in my home where I can watch you…Break. The. Law.

Yes, your kids may do things we don’t want them to. We did. We still do sometimes. But we have to let our kids know that we do not condone that behavior. Let them know you love them unconditionally, even when they make mistakes, but don’t help them make the mistakes. Let them know there are consequences for their behavior and decisions. Let them know that it IS NOT OK TO BREAK THE LAW.

Geez. I just sat through this whole show with my jaw on the floor. I just could not believe that this woman was ok with her decision. And she sat through the whole segment with a coy little smile on her face like she was so proud of herself. I’m sure she was nervous, but there was no remorse on her face at all.

But why would there be? She has no regrets.