Barefoot Parenting
(Pants ARE optional!)

Finding Balance Playing the concentration game, on the fitness trail, while being bombed with acorns by militant squirrels, it's a gift.

Balance.  Either you have it, or you don't.  Then again, maybe you're one of those people who, over the years, have taken one too many nose dives into the asphalt and learned to NOT over-complicate a situation by, you know, wearing shoes.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Roots 2
No?  Okay. Perhaps you're one of THOSE people who stop, look back and are all like…WHOA!…did you see that?!?  Then swear that it came straight out of the ground (whatever it was) grabbed you by the ankles and, you know, face meets asphalt, the end.

[cricket]

Allllllrighty then.

"Shouldn't you be wearing shoes?!?"

Roots

Me?  I used to wear heels.  Until, I had kids.  Now, I have enough trouble strutting my stuff on the sidewalk (without falling down) or, maybe it's my bohemian roots, beginning show (among other, more grayish ones, I mean) and perhaps, I should just change my name to Agador Spartucus.

"Shoes make me fall down!"

Dual-survival
Who knows?  Since turning 40-something-or-another (closer to another, if you must know, DAMMIT!) maybe, I'm just getting back in tune with the earth (ahem!) like that hippie dude on Dual Survival and his…um…friend…who sort of remind me of an old married couple (cough!) with kids (cough, cough!) but, DAYUM if they don't make for entertaining television.

Balance Act
Hey.  Hang on.  There's a novel idea.  Perhaps I should start evangelizing the benefits of "barefoot parenting!"

Dual Fitness

You know, I can be the minimalist and primitive skills expert, trained in counterbalanced living and suburban preparedness…like, yes, she's texting (AGAIN!) but, they ARE outside and what if one of them breaks an arm, or something, right?

 

Pull Your Pants Up
With 17 years of combined tween and teenage survival experience…like, yes, he's wearing low rise, skinny-something-or-another…but…um…at least, he's NOT playing a video game, right?

Pull Your Pants Up, DAMMIT!!!

Balance.  It's ALL a matter of perspective.  Sure, I can insist he pull his pants up (DAMMIT!) then again, this picture wouldn't be half as funny and, more importantly, just fade into yet another missed opportunity in increasing my "Break curfew again, bub and I'll show your girlfriend," arsenal, to boot!

"Um, mom?"

Maybe THEN the Discovery Channel will give me my OWN show!

"Mom?"

Aaaand, I will FINALLY get to go to an island!

"Mommy?"

Where no one cares who you are (or, aren't) where you are from (originally) and that you weigh more than what's on your driver's license (ahem) or, that you've worn white (AFTER Labor Day) with pink underwear (cough) and forgot to shave your legs, AGAIN!

"Mom?"

Oh, but there IS a bed (dogless, catless, hairless and MATCHING pillows) a VERY large bathroom (with a double sink) with room service (a sun-kissed-20-something-or-another with, dark eyes and a wicked tan) giving you undivided attention and an endless supply of fruity cocktails…FOR FREE!

"Mommy?"

Aaaand maybe then (and ONLY then) will the tired, frustrated and gravity-challenged parents of the world (like me) truly unite and achieve GREATNESS!!!

"Mooooommeeeee!"

[blink, blink]

"It's okay that you're driving in your pajamas, right?"

Momma's in Pajamas Again!

Except on Mondays, then ALL bets are off, DAMMIT!!!

© 2010 This
Full House Blog
/ This Full House Gone Shopping

Comments

98 responses to “Barefoot Parenting
(Pants ARE optional!)”

  1. Melisa Avatar

    I’m just happy that the first picture wasn’t taken when you were walking a straight line for a police officer. haha

  2. Melisa Avatar

    I’m just happy that the first picture wasn’t taken when you were walking a straight line for a police officer. haha

  3. Melisa Avatar

    I’m just happy that the first picture wasn’t taken when you were walking a straight line for a police officer. haha

  4. Melisa Avatar

    I’m just happy that the first picture wasn’t taken when you were walking a straight line for a police officer. haha

  5. Melisa Avatar

    I’m just happy that the first picture wasn’t taken when you were walking a straight line for a police officer. haha

  6. Melisa Avatar

    I’m just happy that the first picture wasn’t taken when you were walking a straight line for a police officer. haha

  7. Melisa Avatar

    I’m just happy that the first picture wasn’t taken when you were walking a straight line for a police officer. haha

  8. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Melisa!
    Aaaand, HAH!  Although, after a couple of fruity-type-girlie drinks, I have heard that I can be quite…ahem…agile (especially, on date night, when vodka is most likely involved) never driving, though!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  9. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Melisa!
    Aaaand, HAH!  Although, after a couple of fruity-type-girlie drinks, I have heard that I can be quite…ahem…agile (especially, on date night, when vodka is most likely involved) never driving, though!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  10. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Melisa!
    Aaaand, HAH!  Although, after a couple of fruity-type-girlie drinks, I have heard that I can be quite…ahem…agile (especially, on date night, when vodka is most likely involved) never driving, though!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  11. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Melisa!
    Aaaand, HAH!  Although, after a couple of fruity-type-girlie drinks, I have heard that I can be quite…ahem…agile (especially, on date night, when vodka is most likely involved) never driving, though!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  12. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Melisa!
    Aaaand, HAH!  Although, after a couple of fruity-type-girlie drinks, I have heard that I can be quite…ahem…agile (especially, on date night, when vodka is most likely involved) never driving, though!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  13. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Melisa!
    Aaaand, HAH!  Although, after a couple of fruity-type-girlie drinks, I have heard that I can be quite…ahem…agile (especially, on date night, when vodka is most likely involved) never driving, though!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  14. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Melisa!
    Aaaand, HAH!  Although, after a couple of fruity-type-girlie drinks, I have heard that I can be quite…ahem…agile (especially, on date night, when vodka is most likely involved) never driving, though!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  15. Kai Avatar

    Was that at Lewis Morris Park? My bf and I went hiking there 2 weeks ago!

  16. Kai Avatar

    Was that at Lewis Morris Park? My bf and I went hiking there 2 weeks ago!

  17. Kai Avatar

    Was that at Lewis Morris Park? My bf and I went hiking there 2 weeks ago!

  18. Kai Avatar

    Was that at Lewis Morris Park? My bf and I went hiking there 2 weeks ago!

  19. Kai Avatar

    Was that at Lewis Morris Park? My bf and I went hiking there 2 weeks ago!

  20. Kai Avatar

    Was that at Lewis Morris Park? My bf and I went hiking there 2 weeks ago!

  21. Kai Avatar

    Was that at Lewis Morris Park? My bf and I went hiking there 2 weeks ago!

  22. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Kai,
    Thanks for the tip on Lewis Morris Park — the Monmouth County Park System has GREAT trails and family-friendly events, if you are ever in Jersey!!!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  23. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Kai,
    Thanks for the tip on Lewis Morris Park — the Monmouth County Park System has GREAT trails and family-friendly events, if you are ever in Jersey!!!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  24. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Kai,
    Thanks for the tip on Lewis Morris Park — the Monmouth County Park System has GREAT trails and family-friendly events, if you are ever in Jersey!!!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  25. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Kai,
    Thanks for the tip on Lewis Morris Park — the Monmouth County Park System has GREAT trails and family-friendly events, if you are ever in Jersey!!!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  26. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Kai,
    Thanks for the tip on Lewis Morris Park — the Monmouth County Park System has GREAT trails and family-friendly events, if you are ever in Jersey!!!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  27. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Kai,
    Thanks for the tip on Lewis Morris Park — the Monmouth County Park System has GREAT trails and family-friendly events, if you are ever in Jersey!!!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  28. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Kai,
    Thanks for the tip on Lewis Morris Park — the Monmouth County Park System has GREAT trails and family-friendly events, if you are ever in Jersey!!!
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  29. Heather Avatar

    Ahhh, good ol’ pjs & barefeet.
    STORY OF MY LIFE.
    and i am not even a parent yet! hahahah
    😉

  30. Heather Avatar

    Ahhh, good ol’ pjs & barefeet.
    STORY OF MY LIFE.
    and i am not even a parent yet! hahahah
    😉

  31. Heather Avatar

    Ahhh, good ol’ pjs & barefeet.
    STORY OF MY LIFE.
    and i am not even a parent yet! hahahah
    😉

  32. Heather Avatar

    Ahhh, good ol’ pjs & barefeet.
    STORY OF MY LIFE.
    and i am not even a parent yet! hahahah
    😉

  33. Heather Avatar

    Ahhh, good ol’ pjs & barefeet.
    STORY OF MY LIFE.
    and i am not even a parent yet! hahahah
    😉

  34. Heather Avatar

    Ahhh, good ol’ pjs & barefeet.
    STORY OF MY LIFE.
    and i am not even a parent yet! hahahah
    😉

  35. Heather Avatar

    Ahhh, good ol’ pjs & barefeet.
    STORY OF MY LIFE.
    and i am not even a parent yet! hahahah
    😉

  36. PJ Mullen Avatar

    Pants are always optional. Oh, wait, what? 🙂

  37. PJ Mullen Avatar

    Pants are always optional. Oh, wait, what? 🙂

  38. PJ Mullen Avatar

    Pants are always optional. Oh, wait, what? 🙂

  39. PJ Mullen Avatar

    Pants are always optional. Oh, wait, what? 🙂

  40. PJ Mullen Avatar

    Pants are always optional. Oh, wait, what? 🙂

  41. PJ Mullen Avatar

    Pants are always optional. Oh, wait, what? 🙂

  42. PJ Mullen Avatar

    Pants are always optional. Oh, wait, what? 🙂

  43. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Heather!
    You're gonna make a TERRIFIC mom, my friend — hugs, Liz!
     

  44. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Heather!
    You're gonna make a TERRIFIC mom, my friend — hugs, Liz!
     

  45. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Heather!
    You're gonna make a TERRIFIC mom, my friend — hugs, Liz!
     

  46. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Heather!
    You're gonna make a TERRIFIC mom, my friend — hugs, Liz!
     

  47. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Heather!
    You're gonna make a TERRIFIC mom, my friend — hugs, Liz!
     

  48. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Heather!
    You're gonna make a TERRIFIC mom, my friend — hugs, Liz!
     

  49. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Heather!
    You're gonna make a TERRIFIC mom, my friend — hugs, Liz!
     

  50. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    P.J.,
    [snicker] Yes, pants are always optional, mostly — especially, for dads of beautiful newborn baby girls and equally adorable little man 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  51. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    P.J.,
    [snicker] Yes, pants are always optional, mostly — especially, for dads of beautiful newborn baby girls and equally adorable little man 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  52. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    P.J.,
    [snicker] Yes, pants are always optional, mostly — especially, for dads of beautiful newborn baby girls and equally adorable little man 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  53. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    P.J.,
    [snicker] Yes, pants are always optional, mostly — especially, for dads of beautiful newborn baby girls and equally adorable little man 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  54. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    P.J.,
    [snicker] Yes, pants are always optional, mostly — especially, for dads of beautiful newborn baby girls and equally adorable little man 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  55. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    P.J.,
    [snicker] Yes, pants are always optional, mostly — especially, for dads of beautiful newborn baby girls and equally adorable little man 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  56. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    P.J.,
    [snicker] Yes, pants are always optional, mostly — especially, for dads of beautiful newborn baby girls and equally adorable little man 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  57. Elizabeth @ Table for Five Avatar

    I’m impressed that you got all of your kids OUTSIDE at the same time! Asking either of my boys to get off the computer or turn off the Xbox and go outside gets me a solid eye-roll, every time.

  58. Elizabeth @ Table for Five Avatar

    I’m impressed that you got all of your kids OUTSIDE at the same time! Asking either of my boys to get off the computer or turn off the Xbox and go outside gets me a solid eye-roll, every time.

  59. Elizabeth @ Table for Five Avatar

    I’m impressed that you got all of your kids OUTSIDE at the same time! Asking either of my boys to get off the computer or turn off the Xbox and go outside gets me a solid eye-roll, every time.

  60. Elizabeth @ Table for Five Avatar

    I’m impressed that you got all of your kids OUTSIDE at the same time! Asking either of my boys to get off the computer or turn off the Xbox and go outside gets me a solid eye-roll, every time.

  61. Elizabeth @ Table for Five Avatar

    I’m impressed that you got all of your kids OUTSIDE at the same time! Asking either of my boys to get off the computer or turn off the Xbox and go outside gets me a solid eye-roll, every time.

  62. Elizabeth @ Table for Five Avatar

    I’m impressed that you got all of your kids OUTSIDE at the same time! Asking either of my boys to get off the computer or turn off the Xbox and go outside gets me a solid eye-roll, every time.

  63. Elizabeth @ Table for Five Avatar

    I’m impressed that you got all of your kids OUTSIDE at the same time! Asking either of my boys to get off the computer or turn off the Xbox and go outside gets me a solid eye-roll, every time.

  64. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Elizabeth,
    It was either, "Go outside," or "Clean your room!"  Works everytime 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  65. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Elizabeth,
    It was either, "Go outside," or "Clean your room!"  Works everytime 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  66. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Elizabeth,
    It was either, "Go outside," or "Clean your room!"  Works everytime 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  67. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Elizabeth,
    It was either, "Go outside," or "Clean your room!"  Works everytime 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  68. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Elizabeth,
    It was either, "Go outside," or "Clean your room!"  Works everytime 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  69. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Elizabeth,
    It was either, "Go outside," or "Clean your room!"  Works everytime 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  70. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Elizabeth,
    It was either, "Go outside," or "Clean your room!"  Works everytime 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  71. Headless Mom Avatar

    I’ll take the 20-something dude… I was wondering where my butler was just the other day!

  72. Headless Mom Avatar

    I’ll take the 20-something dude… I was wondering where my butler was just the other day!

  73. Headless Mom Avatar

    I’ll take the 20-something dude… I was wondering where my butler was just the other day!

  74. Headless Mom Avatar

    I’ll take the 20-something dude… I was wondering where my butler was just the other day!

  75. Headless Mom Avatar

    I’ll take the 20-something dude… I was wondering where my butler was just the other day!

  76. Headless Mom Avatar

    I’ll take the 20-something dude… I was wondering where my butler was just the other day!

  77. Headless Mom Avatar

    I’ll take the 20-something dude… I was wondering where my butler was just the other day!

  78. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Headless Mom:  Whoops, sorry, my bad, did NOT know I was supposed to give him back 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  79. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Headless Mom:  Whoops, sorry, my bad, did NOT know I was supposed to give him back 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  80. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Headless Mom:  Whoops, sorry, my bad, did NOT know I was supposed to give him back 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  81. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Headless Mom:  Whoops, sorry, my bad, did NOT know I was supposed to give him back 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  82. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Headless Mom:  Whoops, sorry, my bad, did NOT know I was supposed to give him back 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  83. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Headless Mom:  Whoops, sorry, my bad, did NOT know I was supposed to give him back 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  84. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Headless Mom:  Whoops, sorry, my bad, did NOT know I was supposed to give him back 😉
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  85. Ben Avatar

    This is awesome, I can read your stuff for days. And I agree, going barefoot is one of the little joys I can actually partake in (you can read that as “afford” if you like) and it’s a lot of fun and makes everyone in my family roll their eyes. I was going to write something today about it, in fact, but after reading this I may have to get my courage back up, my post was gonna be fairly lame-o by comparison.

  86. Ben Avatar

    This is awesome, I can read your stuff for days. And I agree, going barefoot is one of the little joys I can actually partake in (you can read that as “afford” if you like) and it’s a lot of fun and makes everyone in my family roll their eyes. I was going to write something today about it, in fact, but after reading this I may have to get my courage back up, my post was gonna be fairly lame-o by comparison.

  87. Ben Avatar

    This is awesome, I can read your stuff for days. And I agree, going barefoot is one of the little joys I can actually partake in (you can read that as “afford” if you like) and it’s a lot of fun and makes everyone in my family roll their eyes. I was going to write something today about it, in fact, but after reading this I may have to get my courage back up, my post was gonna be fairly lame-o by comparison.

  88. Ben Avatar

    This is awesome, I can read your stuff for days. And I agree, going barefoot is one of the little joys I can actually partake in (you can read that as “afford” if you like) and it’s a lot of fun and makes everyone in my family roll their eyes. I was going to write something today about it, in fact, but after reading this I may have to get my courage back up, my post was gonna be fairly lame-o by comparison.

  89. Ben Avatar

    This is awesome, I can read your stuff for days. And I agree, going barefoot is one of the little joys I can actually partake in (you can read that as “afford” if you like) and it’s a lot of fun and makes everyone in my family roll their eyes. I was going to write something today about it, in fact, but after reading this I may have to get my courage back up, my post was gonna be fairly lame-o by comparison.

  90. Ben Avatar

    This is awesome, I can read your stuff for days. And I agree, going barefoot is one of the little joys I can actually partake in (you can read that as “afford” if you like) and it’s a lot of fun and makes everyone in my family roll their eyes. I was going to write something today about it, in fact, but after reading this I may have to get my courage back up, my post was gonna be fairly lame-o by comparison.

  91. Ben Avatar

    This is awesome, I can read your stuff for days. And I agree, going barefoot is one of the little joys I can actually partake in (you can read that as “afford” if you like) and it’s a lot of fun and makes everyone in my family roll their eyes. I was going to write something today about it, in fact, but after reading this I may have to get my courage back up, my post was gonna be fairly lame-o by comparison.

  92. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Ben:  Eye rolls are highly underrated, I think!  So nice that you dropped by and I'm glad I even remembered to wear pants (as far as you know!)
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  93. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Ben:  Eye rolls are highly underrated, I think!  So nice that you dropped by and I'm glad I even remembered to wear pants (as far as you know!)
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  94. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Ben:  Eye rolls are highly underrated, I think!  So nice that you dropped by and I'm glad I even remembered to wear pants (as far as you know!)
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  95. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Ben:  Eye rolls are highly underrated, I think!  So nice that you dropped by and I'm glad I even remembered to wear pants (as far as you know!)
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  96. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Ben:  Eye rolls are highly underrated, I think!  So nice that you dropped by and I'm glad I even remembered to wear pants (as far as you know!)
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  97. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Ben:  Eye rolls are highly underrated, I think!  So nice that you dropped by and I'm glad I even remembered to wear pants (as far as you know!)
    Hugs,
    Liz
     

  98. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Hi Ben:  Eye rolls are highly underrated, I think!  So nice that you dropped by and I'm glad I even remembered to wear pants (as far as you know!)
    Hugs,
    Liz