3 posts tagged “kids”
As little girls we dressed up in feather boa's, over-sized high heels, and floppy hats. We arranged elegant tea parties and hob-knob'd with the likes of Ted-d-bear, baby tenderlove, and the ever famous " mattel girls." We were the best tea makers- the best party planners -and the most awesomest fashion designers evah!! Our (easy bake oven) cooking skills and our (mud) pie making talents, were second to none! The paparazzi (aka our Mom) continually snapped photos of us wearing our hundred strands of beads (all different colors) and our bright red lipstick. Oh yeah...we were special...we were famous. WE were da bomb!!!!
Yep, right there in our little bedroom was the perfect world. A world where we could be anything we wanted to be. A ballerina - A princess - A rock star! Whatever we wanted to be, was no more than a thought (and a costume) away! And no matter what we decided to become today...homies had our back.
Every evening homies-Teddy and the gang, sat eagerly at the dinnertable. They never complained about the turkey being dry or the meat being overcooked. Never once did they throw their head into their hands and mumble "Oh crap, not mudpie AGAIN!" They never pointed out that our hair was a mess, or our shoes didn't match our hat. Nope, they loved us no matter what! They listened when we talked, they laid with us when we cried, and never once did they judge us, yell at us, or tell us we were wrong!
And at night when our Mom's tucked us in and read about beautiful princess' awaking from deep sleeps and ugly frogs turning into handsome princes', I knew it was only a matter of time (like probably next week) when I would be all grown up and have a castle and a prince of my own.
But somehow along the way that belief shifted.
I think it was when family friends came over and brought their son for me to play with.
He never wanted to play tea party, or barbies, or rock star. Oh noooooooo...instead he wanted to toss Barbie out of her corvette...load in his GI Joe.... and proceed to terrorize my bedroom floor, knocking over the barbie house, the tea set, and anything else in his path. All the while making this stupid Errrrnnnnnnnn ERNNNNNNN sound that still plays in my head like a bad record. Ernnnnnnn Ernnnnnnn ERNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!
Immediately, I realized THIS must be a frog! and suddenly I decided that growing up was not as important after all!
Throughout my teen years I met lots of frogs. It was not until my early 20's that I would meet the frog I would later marry.
It's been more than 20 years between "just married" and now, and it has taken many of those 20 years to figure out how to get past the frog stage.
But with lots of patience, and perseverence (on both sides) we have gotten to a place where I never knew we could be.
These days.."the homies" consist of Drew, my girls, and a couple of furry friends. The easy bake oven has been traded in for a much more sensible model. Mud pies have been replaced with chocolate chip cookies. And bright red lipstick has been removed in place of something much more fitting for my age.
Oh sure...there are complaints about the turkey being dry...or the meat being overcooked...and the running joke in my house is still "dinner's ready when the smoke alarm goes off"...but one thing it has taken me over 20 years to learn - and the most important lesson of them all...is...."no matter what I decide to become today...homies got my back. They love me no matter what!!!"
I have finally found my castle...
Did you know....
Child abuse is reported on an average of every 10 seconds and three children die every day as a result of such abuse.
As parents we have a responsibility to our children. And not just a responsibility to "our children" but also to the children around us. If you suspect a child you know is being abused. REPORT it!! It is not only our right to get involved, it is our obligation.
Oh I know there are days kids push us to the limit. It's frustrating, even anger-provoking. But that's all the more reason people should take care of their own emotional health. A parent who is emotionally healthy (and at least relatively happy) is better able to deal with being a parent. Wearing emotional baggage as the new fashion, or using it as an excuse for a bad day is not acceptable. There is no excuse for child abuse!!!!!!!! Get help or counselling! Learn healthy coping skills!
These innocent little faces look up to us. We are their role model and they will view the world through the eyes we give them. If we provide a home where there is constant anger, mood swings, and verbal/emotional/physical abuse, these kids will grow up to wear those scars and base their lives around them. Don't steal the "joy of living" away from our children.
Praise your child when he or she is doing what's right. Be sensitive and understanding when they have done wrong. Don't use words like "you're a brat"..or "You're stupid." Don't break their spirit. Talk with them. Set, clear, fair guidelines and expectations. Stick by them. Childproof your home. Lock up the liquor cabinet. Talk to your teen about drugs in a non-lecturing way. Talk about responsible sexual behavior. SET A GOOD EXAMPLE. Let your children know they can come to you. That they can rely on you.
Let your home be a gentle, safe haven for them. Take responsibilty for the children in our neighbourhood. Create warm memories. Build a loving family.
I love both of my girls dearly. But somedays, my sixteen year old twists my very last nerve. "Arly clean your room"
"In a minute Mom" "Arly bring your laundry downstairs"
"In a minute Mom" "Arly pick up your dishes" "In a minute Mom" But, without constant reminding, "in a minute Mom" rarely happens. And somedays, it frustrates me beyond words. So, the other day, after Arly had left for her friends house, I discovered one of her "in a minute" chores had not been completed. Arly is old enough to know what is expected of her (I do not ask alot) and she is familiar with the "no chore, no ride" rule. I decided it was time Miss Arly got a taste of her own medicine. A couple hours later the telephone rings.
Arly: Mom can you pick me up? Me: Sure Arly, I will be there "in a minute" We hang up, and I continue what I was doing before the call. Fifteen minutes pass and the phone rings again. Arly: Mom are you coming? Me: Yup, be there "in a minute" We hang up again. And again I continue on with what I was doing. Ten minutes later the phone rings again. Arly: MOMMMMMMMMM, Where are you? Chad (AKA the squeeze <*maternal eye roll*> lol) is coming at seven and I need to come home and shower. Me: Yahuh, ok Arly I will be right there I arrive to get her and she is madder than an old wet hen. ..teenage dramatic car door slam...
Arly: MOM, why did you make me wait so long? Me: (in a very calm voice) Arly, remember all the times you say "in a minute Mom?" Well, today I am on 'Arly time'...*grin* She did not say one word...
