I’m having a go at something new here .
Mamablogga is running a group writing project on the theme ‘Three things I want my kids to….’
I found this through Believer in Balance who I followed from the lovely Absolutely Bananas and I thought I’d have a go.
So here is mine…
‘3 things I want my kids to understand…’
1. That I will love them no matter what.
But that that doesn’t mean they can smear my lip balm all over the wall, Miss M (aged 2), or that they can have a food fight when their friends come to tea, Miss E(aged 6).
It doesn’t mean they are allowed to feed chocolate icecream to the gerbils, put raisins in their daddy’s sock draw or paint my face.
It doesn’t mean that they can use my credit card whenever they want to buy bad music or barely there outfits.
It doesn’t mean they can borrow the car without asking or get very very drunk and vomit in their dad’s slippers.
But it does mean that if they do all these things, my love will not change.
But their view for the next month or so might.
2. I want my kids to understand that it’s ok to make mistakes.
Grown ups do it too and that is also ok.
As long as their daddy understands that mistakes do not include forgetting our anniversary, doing a whites wash with a pair of red boxers as company, or videoing over our kids baptism.
That would just be wrong….
3. I want my kids to understand that there is some stuff we just have to do.
I know tidying up is boring.
I now brussels taste a bit like old socks and can lead to unpleasant gaseous explosions.
I know homework time muscles in on fun time.
I know.
And Daddy would rather not be at work, or be stuck in traffic on a rainy day with only cheese on the radio, or play Barbie’s with his 2 small girls after a long day, (or probably at all.)
And Mummy would rather not have to wipe snotty hand prints from every visible surface, pick fruit flakes out of the carpet or read the nasty bill shaped letters that come through the door on a weekly basis.
But, all the stuff we don’t want to do is generally going to make our lives better in some way.
So yes Miss M, you do have to wear clothes, otherwise when you’re a grown up, people will avoid you.
Ask your dad….
You’re so right on all counts. What a lovely post. Sometimes it’s so frustrating to try to get these points across to our kids without sounding punitive. We’re not trying to be punitive, we’re trying to be realistic and the kind of parents who send their kids out into the world prepared for life. I wish they “got” that.
My brother Nelson Galaxy isn’t a child any more (well not literally, anyway) but he does often smear things around my walls when he is drunk.
You know, lipstick and stuff.
Kids.
(Great post, Jo.)
Thanks rotten correspondent.
I suppose alot of this stuff you only really ‘get’ when you have kids yourself, (or younger highly strung siblings Napoleon.)
We have to keep trying though, don’t we.
Napoleon, Nelson is big enough to face up to his own behaviour. I’d get him some rubber gloves, a frilly apron and a feather duster, then he can clean up after himself. He might quite like the outfit too.
I found your site through Rotten Correspondent–JUST LOVE IT!! Although I am sure my children didn’t write the book on terrible twos, they certainly added a chapter or two. Hang in there–we entered the terrible two at 23 months, one day, exactly, but by the time they turned three, I could show my face in public again. By the way, RC was the ONLY person who would be my friend that year. I am thinking of the three things I want my children to know…
Mrs Weasley, I would have been your friend, screaming toddler and all.
Have you got a blog I can visit?
If not, pop in anytime, and I’m sure I’ll bump into you at RC’s.
P.S. Are you really a Mrs Weasley. How cool would that be.
Hang on a minute!
You have a credit card?
You make mistakes?
What’s that all about?
Haha hehe!
Great post! I might have to try this topic too… it’s a good one! (thanks for the pointer)
Ingenious Rose, we are not all blessed with your genius my sweet.
Absolutely Bananas, I look forward to reading your post. And you are very welcome to the pointer. You make me laugh, and that’s good.
Thanks for sharing your list. I hope your kids don’t have to learn all those things the hard way!
Thanks for participating!
[…] Three things I want my kids to understand. by Jo Beaufoix […]
I love it. You are right on, mom!
Thanks Jordan.
I really enjoyed taking part.
I hope my kids don’t have to learn these things the hard way too, but if they do we’ll be there to pick them up.
That is a great post. You made my laugh so hard I am wiping the tears from my eyes.
Great post! I especially loved #1 on your list!
What a great post! I love how you made serious points in a light-hearted way. I think that we as parents can get too serious sometimes and worry so much about our children. Just loving them with all our hearts is the best thing we can do.
Smiles!
Daisy, Kimberlyn and Mama Zen.
Thanks for your comments. I’ve never done a Group Writing Project before and it’s been great.
There are so many different takes on the subject.
Hope you’ll drop by again soon.
Hopefully lip balm is easier to get off the wall than your red lipstick! Could it be classed as a mistake?
[…] Three things I want my kids to understand. by Jo Beaufoix […]
[…] Three things I want my kids to understand. by Jo Beaufoix […]
Jen, whatever Miss M’s lip balm antics were, they made me laugh.
You’re right though, red lipstick would have been much, much worse.
[…] Three things I want my kids to understand. by Jo Beaufoix […]
Great entry. It made me smile.
Thanks Corey.
Smiles are good.
I just read your entry and it’s gorgeous.
Hello
Love this.
Thank you for your comments on my blog. I have been completely crap at updating it recently, mainly because of, yes, you’ve guessed it, the kids…..
But I would like my children to know that I love them too. However, I would also really like it if the little one (the most gorgeous boy ever…..) would know that kisses are a good thing, especially when you’re two.
He’s already told me that he doesn’t like kisses, and runs away when I try to kiss him.
Now, I’ve just realised that sounds incredibly soppy and I should have come up with something more profound and moving. However, I can’t! I’m knackered - we have had chickenpox, I’m starting a new job, moving house and up to my eyes in work…Aaaaagh.
You’ve inspired me to update my blog now - there was nothing for the whole of June. Shocking!
Yey, glad you’re back.
My girls had the pox this year too.
It’s awful isn’t it.
My 2 year old, Miss M, gives lots of kisses, but, you also get quite a high percentage of licks too…
Hmmm, hope she grows out of that one.