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July 1, 2008
Move -6 Days: Short Thoughts On Parenting
You know what stinks about being a parent?
Your kids will never, ever - well, not until they are themselves parents, if then - understand just how far you've come in overcoming your own personal issues.
No one who knew me, say, in high school, would ever dream that I would have the patience of ten saints with my children. None of you who knew me then would ever believe the amount of things I can laugh off, blow off, and let go. My kids have no idea how good they have it. Is that fair? Of course it's not fair.
One day, when they open up the dryer to find an empty bottle of India ink and an entire load of now polka-dotted clothes, they should be so lucky to have the strength to toss the clothes in the trash and go on with life, without even yelling a tiny bit.
On a related note, I am so glad I don't have to parent without technology. I'm so glad I don't have to parent without an iPod. I'm so glad I can say, "Look, kids, Mommy will be fine ... just let me listen to my headphones for 15 minutes, very loud;" they disappear, I find something with really impressive guitars, and what do you know? Life is better.
Posted by lynx at July 1, 2008 10:04 PM
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Comments
You don't really want us to bring up how you were back then, do you? ;)
Posted by: Mark L ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.caerdroia.org/116/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 1, 2008 10:35 PM
Hey now ... I've known you for just as long as you've known me! ;-)
Posted by: Stephanie at July 2, 2008 7:19 AM
I would borrow the music you listen to... I wish I could be as calm and patient as you are, I wish my child will grow up one day, remember the childhood and say "oh, mom, now I understand you better"... hahah... dreams...
but I am trying hard to keep calm and not yell too loud...
Posted by: Polina at July 2, 2008 10:55 AM
And I've known both of you longer, and we should all three let that part of our pasts stay past, m'kay?
Posted by: Jeff Medcalf at July 2, 2008 11:02 AM
I know what you mean. I have done such a 180-degree turn in so many ways in the last (muttermutter) years. I'm also a dramatically happier person. Also, there are a few people who I grew up with who are not allowed in my kids' lives. Because if anyone is going to screw them up, it's going to be ME! =-)
But yeah, you do sound *tremendously* patient today. Because I'd be freakin' about the dryer thing! What the heck IS in that iPod????
Happy 4th!
Posted by: Urban Mom at July 2, 2008 9:50 PM
Oh, you're settled, and have internet connections again, and you're BLOGGING!!! Yay!
And this post had me nodding my head, doing the whole "Amen" thing from the peanut gallery.
They won't know for a very long time, but oh, how sweet it will be when they do get it, right?
Posted by: Dy at August 13, 2008 1:01 AM