Like a lot of (ahem) kids our age, my brother and I grew up watching Sesame Street. Except, in the summer – when we would disappear, soon after breakfast and stay gone, until lunch, or when one of us noticed that…UH-OH!…when the heck did those street lights come on?
Then, we ALL hauled ass home in order to avoid a beating.
Yeah, I know. There were a lot of us latch key kids, back then. It was a different time. Still. I'm raising my kids pretty much the same way (with a lot less beatings, of course) on the other hand, I can also understand how some folks (like me) would find it difficult to let go of their own childhood and allow their kids the chance to fail, let alone, take risks.
Personally, I draw the line at drainage pipes.
Still. My parents, my in-laws and even my brother think that I do way too much WITH my kids, but my bro gets a pass, because he doesn't have any…kids, I mean.
But, did you ever try telling a kid that:
"Sorry, mommy can't come and help your class re-create the Tower of Pisa, using macaroni as a composition to maximize the use of texture, rather than color, okay sweetie?"
Aaaand then get a phone call from her teacher, because no one else signed up and she knows that, you know, you happen to work from home.
What's the right answer?
So, yeah, maybe parenting is sort of like trying to re-create the Tower of Pisa, in macaroni, it's all about balance. Nuh-uh, more like a juggling act. Because, you know, the ball has got to drop, sooner or later?
"Who's the leader?"
"Glen's the biggest one, he's the leader!"
Judging by my son's face, you can tell that, you know, he's so NOT used to being a leader and is more like a I'll just dip my toe in the water and watch to see which one of you guys floats, or not, sort of guy.
Still. It's supposed to be Fun Day, right? Except, we called it "field day" and I don't ever remember playing this game. Then again, they don't give out medals anymore…either. It's all about team work, right? Except, if you're the
first guy in line and can see the ship starting to sink.
But, this was not one of those days and, well, it was just nice to see the kid smile and NOT be so self-conscious…all the time…like, his mother. Congratulations, my son, way to win one for Team Thompson!
"Can you sign me out of school, early?"
As a matter of fact…NO!
"Mommy's got some work to do."
Like, convince an almost-8-year-old that paying the $5 so she could slap a tutu on her head, go to school on "Juvenile Arthritis Costume Day" and dress like a flower was NOT a bad idea, at all.
Then again, she IS braver than ALL of us put together (shuddup, Bro!) can you tell?
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