I have four children. This being a parent thing – not my first rodeo my friends, but sometimes I forget stuff. It has been a few years since I have had a ten year old around (Cheyenne’s closest sibling is 11 years older than she is). So, every so often I get what I will affectionately term a “refresher lesson” on parenting (consider that my homage to diplomacy). On that note, I think I will start an occasional but reoccurring blog theme on this premise called, “Parenting Realities 101”.
Parenting Realities 101
Entry One
There is nothing quite like your kids to keep you grounded. Things such as accomplishments, seemingly important titles, accolades from others, and other outward indications of success do not seem to matter to kids. Different kinds of things matter to kids. Things that don’t get you a raise at work, or inspire others, or gain you fame in the outside world…things like whether you will play a board game upon request or will watch the same Disney movie for the fifth time. Things like baking cookies or making ice cream sundaes with them…things like listening to them tell you about the book they are reading or the new song they like. This is how you are measured as a parent – this is what matters.
With one proviso…if you do anything that could even remotely embarrass your offspring your net worth can be quickly diminished. So…poor clothing choices, blaring favorite hits from the eighties on your car radio, trying to “act cool”, socializing with a teacher or heaven forbid the principal – wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. It reminds me of the cop saying, “10 atta’ boys can be wiped away with 1 oh, sh*t”. There is little tolerance for the above infractions when your offspring is 10. All the times you played never-ending games of Life and Sorry can all be for naught with one small mistake. The goodwill bank can be quickly depleted.
Not that I am a habitual offender or anything…errr, well…define habitual. Okay, so I may have inadvertently embarrassed my offspring by doing these things, but in my defense it was done unwittingly. I forgot how big a deal these things are at age 10. So it’s back to the board games, cookies and Disney movies…I have to rebuild my goodwill stockpile before I do something else "unthinkable". And trust me, this isn’t my first rodeo – I will do something else "unthinkable" sooner or later – that part I know for sure. I am a mom-I embarrass by trade- who is up for a game of Hugry Hippos?
Day one hundred and forty-eight of the new forty – obla di obla da
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THE NEW FORTY 
Parental blunders make for wonderful holiday stories in the future…as do compromising pictures of feety pajamas and other fashion faux pas. Tread lightly my dear. You got a minimum of eight years left. LOL!
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Oh, I love it when I can let loose my very-uncool-mom identity. I never knew how much fun it would be to be un-cool until I became a mom. What’s freeing about it is that you really don’t care anymore — for yourself that is. But…there’s a thin line, I know, and I’m sure you will manage it just fine, as always…once you build up your reserves again. Have fun with the board games!
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I used to be mortified when my dad would chat with random people, such as waitresses, hosts at restaurants, check-out people at the grocery store…
Now that I’m an adult, I do the exact same thing as often as not and I think the way my dad can talk to anyone – and make anyone feel like he cares about their lives too – is cool.
Maybe some day your kidlets will all rock out to “When Doves Cry” with you.
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PW~Eight years – I know…what does that add up to in Prozac dosages?
PGM~I hear ya’…I gave up on uncool about the time Huey Lewis said it was hip to be square! š
Kari~Oh yes…my kids hate that too, but it is fabulous to be able to chat and connect with folks you meet in passing (even if it is ever so briefly).
Okay – so I did see the full length movie (Purple Rain) and I had the cassette tape and I knew the dance – but I never wore any of the outfits – I swear!! Really…who doesn’t like “When Doves Cry”?? It is right up there with the futuristic Prince song – 1999. Yep- it is official – I am old.
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I love that song. I mean, anything that has a verse starting “Dig if you will” is made of awesome.
My dad’s more of a Beach Boys guy, but when I got old enough I started really appreciating that too. I’m one of the few people my age who probably knows all the words to “California Girls” and “Surfing USA.”
So just tell the kidlet, there are advantages to having an uncool parent! Sometimes you later find out they’re actually quite cool!
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I always tell my son that embarrassing their children is in a parent’s job description! That usually gets an eye roll or some other cue that I’m still embarrassing him. There is that fine line which should never be crossed, but to be honest, I haven’t a clue where it stands: A statement my son will readily agree with.
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