Parents Do Everything For You. . .

Well I just had an audition for a show today, and my mom and dad have been talking about it the past couple weeks, because our family life has become very busy, and they didn't really know if I could do it. But sure enough after church my mom told me that she was bringing me somewhere. I had no clue where she was brining me, but it ended up, that she brought me to the audition. I was so happy, and mom and dad are trying to do everything for everyone in my family. My mom is trying to get me to a library, church, choir, work, hair cut, orthodontist, shopping, deliverying cookies, CT, and to friends. That's all just for me. For my brother J, she brings him to Boy Scouts, CT, church, shopping, rifle, and anything else that's important to him. For my youngest brother Z she'll bring him to his doctors (weekly), boy scouts, Shopping, eye doctor, orthodontist, school (he can't be homeschooled since he's a warden of the state), and church.

My parents try to do everything for all three of us, and I guess I never realized it, but there's a lot of stuff that they need to drive us to, and pick us up from!

Thanks mom and dad!

Cae ♥

Time to Talk with your Teenager

In our many, many drives back and forth to DD rehearsals, we have had many conversations. Lately, however, we have been listening to a book on tape. I had recommended that she should read The Shack, but given the tons of books that she reads, she has not had time, so the other day she took it out on tape. So each night, we have been listening eagerly. And then we started talking again, she has so much to stay that we are stuck in The Shack unable to move forward because we’ve been chatting so much. But I sure will never complain about her talking too much (ok, maybe sometimes – but I think you mom’s know what I mean).

Last night’s conversation was one that every parent would love to hear from the child, but I was lucky enough to get it. She began talking about how a friend of hers confided in her that she hated her mother. She let me know that she had counseled the girl to be careful about the words she used and that she should really think about why she thinks that. The girl told her how much cooler everyone else’s mom is. DD responded, “I’ve thought about this a lot, and, you know how your parents sometimes tell you how perfect some other child is or that you should be more like so and so? Well it’s the same thing. They don’t see those children when they are misbehaving and we don’t see those other parents when they are having mental breakdowns. Sometimes we don’t see how cool our own parent’s are. . .” She went on and on but I think I stopped listening. She understood. I think I was in my 20’s when I got this. . . Maybe we will find our way through these teenage years yet.

BTW, I think this conversation had some implication that I may have a few cool genes. It may take us a lot longer to finish The Shack than I expected, but I’m ok with that.

by,
MOM

Writing Love Letters - not just for love birds

It was funny to read C’s blog today. I was just reading about love letters on another blog and her note reminds me that we should be sure to tell everyone that we love that we do love them. So here is just a few of the many, many reasons that I think my DD is cool:

She writes me notes
She loves to read
She cooks delicious Fettuccini Alfredo and Shrimp Fried Rice (and more but those are just some of her specialties)
She learned to play the keyboard in about a day
She saved a ton of money and works hard to keep track of it.
She speaks her mind
She is a wonderful developing actress
She sings with me and is willing to wear a costume.
She is like looking in a mirror (and she has done it so much better than I did)
She isn’t afraid to try things
She is a bit of a daredevil
She has style.
She is really good a word games. I don’t have to handicap her anymore. In fact, I may need one.

I could go on for hours, but that would probably bore you all. But I hope this post shows you how important C is to me, but also encourages you to tell someone that you love how very special they are to you.

P.S. She can make minute rice : )

The Benefits of Being A Parental Taxi

There are many, many times that I have to drive the kids here and there, primarily DD. Many times I get the joy of sitting in my car for hours. Sometimes, I read. Sometimes, I write. Occasionally, I ‘ve been known to take a nap. Today though, I got a rare treat. As I dropped DD at play rehearsal, I saw people gathered on the common and a sign for a free concert. Awesome, a true blessing to the end of my Sunday.

Forehead Kiss

Some small children have rituals to allow them to go to bed: bed time stories, bath times, maybe a special blanket of stuffed animal. My fourteen year old still has one ritual which I will saddly miss when it ends. Every evening before she goes to bed, I still have to give her a forehead kiss. This simple act can mean forgiveness for a difficult teen / mom day. It can be the affirmation of a day of working together. It can be the symbol of solidarity when times are tough. Just because our kids grow up we should not stop these simple, perhaps childish forms of affection. If you don't have a ritual, maybe it is time you make one up.

How Much TV Should Kids Watch?

My DF (dear father) wants my brother and I to graph our computer, tv, and phone time. Computer – ok. We’re only allowed on for an hour (whole different story). Phone – OK. I’m the only one that uses it and I am only allowed 30 minutes per time (one hour total). But – TV –I don’t watch that much non-educational tv – maybe 3 hours on Thursday (Survivor is a must!), but other than that it is the news or music choice. I feel that Dad wants to limit us even more. I already don’t have time like all my friends do, nor do I have that cell phone that everyone else does (excluding my brother, he is still in that age group that doesn’t need one), but why limit me on tv? It is usually news and music, but I don’t watch music. It’s not like I don’t ask to go and use it, but when I do it is only for 2-3pm or 3-4pm for A Haunting on Discovery Channel and on Thursday 8-9pm on CBS for Survivor. I always ask and my mom always has the right to say “no”.

What is your view on this?

By,
C

Note: At this time, there is no judgment of what DH is going to do with this information and frankly, I think it will be interesting to everyone to see what the truth is of their viewing habits.

By,
D

How Much Do You Tell Your Teen?

Being a teen is tough. We adults know it because we've been there. You teens know it because your in it.

I've always tried to be honest with DD about life, but I'll be honest that I also have not given full disclosure about my life experiences. Some things are just better left in the past, but maybe she needs to know that I didn't come out as a fully formed, responsible adult. I made stupid choices too and got in trouble for them. I share these stories not because I want to encourage her to make mistakes, but so that when she makes them or are considering making them that she knows she can ask for my opinion or come to me to help her. The question is - how do you know how much to disclose? Do your kids really need to know all your stupid choices? Or is it better to be perceived as perfect? Do you tell them everything at once or disclose as they are having problems in specific similar areas?

There are days DH and I really wish there was a parenting manual.