Totally Random Wednesday #1- Why Mrs. Oleson Rocks!

I love Little House on the Prairie. I get all nostalgic just thinking about it. I remember when I was in the second grade and our teacher used to read to us from Little House in The Big Woods. I used to dream about being Laura and having all of her same adventures. 

Growing up, my family and I actually bonded over the TV show. I loved all the characters and appreciated the religious message that it had as well it's promotion of tolerance.

However, I never liked Mrs. Oleson. If the show could be said to have a villain, it would be either her or that horror Nellie. I was watching the Hallmark channel the other day, which plays re-runs of the show  and it was the two-part episode where Laura meets Almanzo. Nellie had just recently graduated high school and decided that she also liked Almanzo. However, it's what Mrs. Oleson does that allows me to appreciate her for the first time ever and to start to look into the many qualities that actually are positive about her.

We all know that Harriett Oleson is a greedy, bigoted, miser, who spoils the two snottiest children in the entire world. She's an elitist social climber who views herself as superior to everyone else and hen-pecks her husband Nels. But then I remembered something that I learned in high school philosophy class, that in reality, there is no such thing as evil. Basically, everything that a person does is self interested and, even if it's not for the good of others, it's for the good of themselves. She reminds me why it's so important to be self interested and put yourself first. Here is a list of just the few things that I hope ALL women can learn from Mrs. Oleson- as long as we don't take it to her same extremes!

 1. She's a resourceful business woman who knows the value of money. (Season 1 "Country Girls")

 2. She is fiercely proud of her children and encourages them to always be the best and have the best opportunities. (Season 2 "The Campout")

 3. She knows and appreciates the value of a good social standing. (Season 5 "As Long as We're Together 1&2)

 4.She values a good and presentable appearance. (Any season, she always makes sure her children are the bet dressed)


 5. She knows how to vet people and evaluate if they will bring value to her life. (Any episode where she states her disdain for miscreants lol!)


 6. She is not afraid to fight for what she thinks is right and is a go-getter. (Season 6 "The Preacher Takes a Wife")


 7. She gets involved in politics and doesn't let being a woman stop her. (Season 9 "Welcome to Olesonville")


8. She knows the value of a good marriage as she twice intervenes on behalf of both her niece and her daughter when they pursue less than advantageous unions. (Season 1 "Doctor's Lady and Season 4 "Here Come the Brides")


9. She didn't let a broken engagement stop her from pursuing her dreams of marriage and comfort (Season 6 "The Preacher Takes a Wife")


10. She knows that, in spite of all the mistakes you make in this life, it's never too late to change!

Hope you enjoyed!
More on Mrs/ Oleson

Oh! And check out the episode I was talking about called "Back to School"!