ParaRant: Don't Lie To Your Kids

This post was originally published on I Must Be Hallucinating Magazine. The publication date was August 3, 2015. See the original article here. 

Disclaimer: I am not and do not claim to be a psychiatrist. My opinions on this subject are from my own experiences.

Children look at the world in wonder and do not have the ideas about what does exist and what does not exist until society puts those ideas into their heads. When kids see something; it exists. I understand kids have awesome imaginations, but a parent can usually tell if a child is playing, imagining, or if they really see something.

I remember being a kid and being scared of the witches. I would tell my mom that the witches were going to get me. I would dream about them and I would see them when I was awake. I was terrified they were coming to get me. Her explanation was “witches aren’t real.” There was another incident where I was afraid of a spirit I saw and I truly believed it was going to harm me. My mother told me that “ghosts can’t hurt you.” With this one, I argued. You see, my mother never had paranormal experiences so I was a challenge to her. Luckily she had some help from her grandmother and my other grandmother. They helped her help me. Having lived these experiences and now seeing my kid, I remember a lot about the things I was told as a kid. It wasn’t just my mom, but many of the other people in my life tried to make me think I was looney because I saw things they didn’t.

The thing about kids is that they see the world differently. They may actually be seeing what you don’t see. They may be seeing something you don’t see. Until we can use their eyes and see the world through them, we have no way of knowing. They may actually see nothing, but maybe they think they do. What is it doing to their minds if you continuously tell them that something isn’t real that they are looking right at? It is going to have serious effects on their mental state. Are they going to think that they are crazy or seeing things? Are they going to just stop telling you the problems they are facing? What if telling them things like that while they are kids teaches them to just not confide in you as a teenager? With all the problems teens face, that is the last thing you want.

Luckily, my mother had people around her that could tell her these things and she quickly stopped telling me that. Instead, she figured out how to talk to me and how to give me the tools to handle things that she could not see. I want to encourage all parents and caregivers out there to stop telling children that things don’t exist just because you can’t see them.

Instead, talk to them, ask them how they feel. Ask them when these things appear. Does a certain emotion bring them on? Do certain people bring them around? Teach them the tools to deal with their emotions and most certainly to deal with fear. Teach them to pray and to ask for help. Get them a journal. Instead of telling them it isn’t real and writing it off, talk to them. Even if it happens to be their imaginations, you are teaching them that you will be there for them and that they can handle anything.

Note: This may not be my usual snark/ sassy self, but this is a serious topic that I feel strongly about.

ParaRant: #CharlieCharlieChallenge Edition (Repost From I Must Be Hallucinating)

This post was originally published on I Must Be Hallucinating on June 17, 2015. 

When I was studying sociology, one of the things that interested me the most was the way trends take hold. Now, when I was in college, there was no Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I don’t think Myspace had taken hold yet, and neither had gmail. I’m sure you can only imagine how my fascination with sociology and trends has increased over the years with all the social media growth. I tend to get sucked into these channels watching how trends take over. It just amazes me, I mean we have whole sectors of marketing devoted to watching trending topics and hashtags. While this can be a good thing, like in the case of fundraising for natural disasters; it can also be a bad thing- like in the case of darker things like the “slenderman phase,” and now the #charliecharliechallenge.

image from the exorcist

The answer I’m sure you are asking is if I’m going to jump on this trend. The answer is- No, I’m not dumb. I’d prefer to not have demonic entities attach themselves to me- that just doesn’t seem like the most fun thing I can do on a Saturday night. I’m sure that some people think I’m over-reacting, but If you’ve read my article about the truth and history behind the #CharlieCharlieGame, you have seen a hint of why I feel that way.

Here’s another thing. Are you going to swim in alligator-infested waters? Are you going to jump off a 10 story building with no protection? Are you going to walk up to a lion and poke it? Then why in the world would you play a game that could possibly get a demonic entity attached to you? Well, yeah- it might not happen. But, what will your life be like if something does get attached to you? I’ve lived in a house that a demonic entity tried to control and luckily got out alive. One may not be so lucky if the entity is attached to you directly.

Taking my thoughts further on this matter, didn’t your mom ever ask “If Johnny jumps off a bridge, are you going to follow?” This is exactly the same type of thing your mother was talking about. Just because all of your little buddies may be sharing their experience on Vine, Instagram or Facebook, doesn’t actually mean that it is a good idea for you to do it. If you have all this extra energy and untapped social media resources, why don’t you use it for good. Why not warn people to not play with the darkness that lurks just outside our realm of normality? Why not share photos of missing kids or raise money for people that need food to survive. Why must you waste all that potential with playing games that you may not want to see what the ending is?

Did you see my vine?

10 Ways To Use A Digital Voice Recorder

I know I've been talking a lot lately about Uqique and their digital voice recorders. I'm sure you also may think that either you don't need one or that one is plenty, well you may be wrong. There are so many uses for these handy little devices that you may need more than one. Even better- with Uqique's prices, you can afford it too!

1. Record Thoughts or Notes

Sometimes we think better doing our normal daily activities, not while sitting in front of our computers or notepads. Keep a digital voice recorder with you and when a thought or idea comes to mind, record it!

2. Record Lectures

Oh how I wish I'd had a digital voice recorder in college. Those lectures wouldn't have lost to the dark recesses of my mind after I got back to my dorm room. I can't count how many times I looked over my notes and wondered what something was about. 

3. Record Interviews

Whether you are recording for a show, a client for an investigation or a client for a job- having a voice recorder could make things so much simpler. You can go back and listen many times and make sure the client will be happy and your research correct. 

4. Have An Audio Sequence of Events

Using a digital voice recorder during set up could be amazing. You can record all of your initial readings, where and why your equipment is in certain places, and even not special things about the location. You wouldn't have to worry about remembering to write it all down. 

5. Stick With A Camera

We all know that the audio on cameras isn't all that great. If you have a hot spot of activity and want to make sure you catch everything, stick a digital voice recorder next to the camera so you are sure to capture great audio and video. 

6. Leave With A Trigger Object

Is there an area where you are investigating that has evidence of a child spirit? Use toys as a trigger object and place a digital voice recorder nearby- don't forget an emf detector. You never know what you might catch. 

7. Have It Always Running

Keep a digital voice recorder with you during an investigation. Keep it running the whole time- in addition to the one you use for EVP sessions. Sometimes EVPs can be caught by one recorder, but not another. In addition to that, if something happens, you can just voice it and have a record of the night. 

8. Keep It At Command Central

Keep a voice recorder by command central and use it for those monitoring the cameras. Also, it will catch when the team discusses events of the night. Also, use this for team members to document any experiences they have right away.

9. Record Night Time Forest Activity

We hang voice recorders in our research over night when there has been a lot of activity. You would be surprised at what you'll catch when no one is around. Just be sure to protect them from the weather. 

10. Record Moments To Remember

Whether you are recording first words, school moments, weddings, or any other milestone of life, having an audio account of that moment can be amazing. You can also record elderly members of the family so your children can always hear their voices. 

If you are looking for a new digital voice recorder, check out Uqique. Their prices and quality will amaze you.