Aleasa Word Talks About Kids and the the Unexpected Fun of Parenting
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As we close 2014, it’s hard to believe the year has gone so fast. It’s funny how as you age what seemed to take an eternity to go by passes you almost in the blink of an eye. With that, our children grow up to be adults before our eyes and we wonder where the time went.
Being a parent is not new to me because my oldest is 24 years old. The only problem thing about that is that I was 24 years younger when I raised him so I didn’t understand how important it was to cherish each day or how to laugh at things that could otherwise make you angry as hell. When it comes to child number one, they should come with a how to manual instead of you having to design it for yourself along the way.
Fast forward to parenting round 2, and my 13yr old son along with my 11yr old daughter have taught me more about myself than I ever knew on how to laugh when you want to scream or cry. Here are a few life lessons I can honestly say have changed the way I look at a lot of things courtesy of my kids:
- Ramen noodles can catch on fire in the microwave if you don’t put water in the bowl
- After watching old movies like Gremlins, remind your kids aluminum foil DOES not belong in the microwave
- Even with a high gate around the tennis court, a tennis ball hit with a baseball bat will inevitably break someone’s window
- When packing for trips and asking if they brought different things like socks, make sure to ask if they’re clean socks and whether or not they actually belong to your child before you get to your destination
- Always make sure to tell them jumping off the balcony to see how soft the bushes are below is not an option when you leave them home to run to the store
- Never take for granted when you say “put on clean underwear” that they are ones they can currently fit so they don’t complain about their circulation after you get to your destination
- Kids come with special blades (or something) on their feet that magically make holes in socks overnight…the seem socks they seem to wear everywhere
- Just because you bought 5 winter hats does not mean the will be able to find one when winter actually hits
- Get used to hearing “attention WalMart shoppers will the parent of…. come to the front” because they get distracted by “cool” stuff and since they’re “grown” (haha) they may lag behind
- When you ask “why did you do that” and they say “I don’t really know” most times …..BELIEVE THEM because they just don’t
On another note here’s what my son has taught me that changed me as a person
- They will protect you with everything they have because of their love for you
- Even at the worst of times they can be so sweet and tell you how great of a mom you are
- They will eyeball any man down that looks in your direction because they don’t want you taken advantage of or hurt
- They teach you that being human and imperfect is ok and the house will never be perfectly clean
- They love you just as you are and need your balanced authority to show them how much you care
- They will amaze you at how smart and talented they are if you just give them the chance to show you
- Yes….they can learn to cook and take care of themselves earlier than you think, but you must learn to be patient with them
Raising kids can be horrible if you try to be a perfect parent. If you realize you and your kids are always a work in progress, it can be the most rewarding things you’ll ever experience in life. My oldest son taught me how to grow up and my two youngest kids have shown me how to enjoy it.
Photo: Cherijoyful/Flickr