Published Oct. 12, 2012

When I first started writing my column, an old friend and colleague contacted me with a little constructive criticism.

"Your columns are great, Renée," he said. "But they are too safe. You need to stir up a little controversy. Be bold!"

I saw what he was saying, but I was afraid. So through the next year or so, I stuck to examples from my own parenting and life lessons learned. Whenever I was critical in a column, it would be of myself.

But I've decided it's about time for me to get out the mixing bowl and stir up a bit of controversy. Bring on the onslaught of critiques. Fill my inbox with incredulous objections. This list entails ten of my most honest opinions that may or may not go against the grain. Here goes nothing!

Health

1. If you exercise, it just makes you want to eat more. 

2. Smoking should be banned from all public places — inside and out.

Parenting

3. When it comes to dating, daughters should have different rules than sons. 

4. Sometimes a spanking is the only thing to which a young child will respond.

School

5. Being in the band is just as challenging and rewarding as being involved in sports, if not more so.

6. Students should be allowed to carry their mobile phones on them at all times. Just like they will in college and real life. 

Current events

7. Welfare recipients should be drug-tested before receiving benefits. Some people have to do it in order to have a job, so why not so people can get government assistance?

8. I don't want to vote for either guy. And if I vote third party, they most likely lose. This would be a waste of my vote. It's past time to rework the bipartisan system.

Entertainment

9. Justin Bieber is one of the best entertainer/musician of our time and an all-around good guy.

10. Sometimes the movie is better than the book.

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