Parenting is hard stuff. Now if you are a parent, you just said AMEN
SISTER! and if you are a child, you just rolled your eyes at me. As I
sit here writing this, I really wish that our kids knew just how hard it
was because maybe then they would cut us some slack. My husband and I
were lucky enough to take a 5 day trip to warm tropical places without
kids recently and it sure did put things in perspective. I am pretty
sure that we didn't fight once, not a single negative thought entered my
head during the entire week. Being among adults for that long was like
being in heaven. No one talked back to us, no one was rude or
condescending and no one expected me to pick up after them. Then we came
home and reality hit me like a slap in the face. Life is hard. Being a
parent is hard. And doing what you know is right is hard, especially
when it makes your children unhappy. Let's face it, as parents we want
nothing more than for our children to be happy all the time, but that
just isn't possible and its hard to be the reason they are upset. So for
all you kids out there, here are ten things that your parents wish you
knew and understood cause it would make the next 10+ years so much
easier for everyone...
10. Being a parent is hard work, really, really hard work.
From the moment you are born, until the day you die we worry about you
and feel responsible for you even when you are grown up. It is a job
that takes every minute of every day and creeps into every thought. And
there is very little thanks given until you are old enough to understand
the sacrifices we have made for you. But we wouldn't trade it for
anything.
9. We don't want to say no all the time. I
know you find this one really hard to believe, but our lives would be
much easier if we could say yes all the time. But unfortunately, we
don't have the time, money or bad judgement to always say yes. If you
think No is hard to hear, you should know it is a million times harder
to say. We love you and we want you to be happy, but life just doesn't
work that way and no is a big part of life. Sorry...
8. We actually do know what you are going through. While
it may seem to you that we are ancient, we still remember what it was
like to be your age and we definitely remember how hard it was. In fact,
most of us wouldn't go back no matter how much you paid us. And even as
adults, we hate homework just as much (if not more) than you do.
Growing up is hard and other kids can be mean. If we could, we would
shelter you from everything bad, but we can't. However, we are always
here for a hug (and we won't tell anyone). And every now and then you
might want to listen to our advice because we have already lived through
it (and no, it wasn't totally different when we were growing up).
7. We are on your side. That
is the great thing about family, we are here for you no matter what and
we are always on your side even if doesn't feel like it. We will always
listen to you and try our best to help in anyway that we can. But we
can't help if you don't tell us what is wrong, so trust us a little - we
might surprise you.
6. The world is a cruel place and our job is to protect you. Unfortunately
there are bad people out there that do bad things (even good people do
bad things sometimes). Our job is to make sure they don't do bad things
to you. You may think we are being over protective or just plain
annoying, but in the end we are always worried about "what-ifs" and will
make our decisions based on keeping you safe. We know you think it
won't ever happen to you, but believe me
it is going to happen to someone. We don't want that someone to be you. Please listen even half of the time, because it could honestly save your life some day.
5. Money does not grow on trees.
I am sure you have heard this a million times, I know I did growing up.
(And yes, when you are a parent you will totally say all those annoying
things your parents said that you swore you would never say.) It's hard
at your age to understand the value of money or just how hard you have
to work to earn it. You will soon find out when you get your first job,
but until then please take our word for it that money is hard to come
by. Not only do we not make enough to begin with, but everything costs
money like the house you live in, the food you eat, the car that takes
you everywhere, even the water you shower in every day (yes, water is
not free). Again, if we could buy you everything you wanted we just
might (reference #9).
4. Sometimes it breaks our hearts to punish you. I know you think
we love to do this, but honestly we don't. Taking away things you like
is no fun for us, remember - we really want you to be happy. Many times
after I punish my kids, I feel sad and guilty all day. And most times,
without you being occupied by computers, video games and friends, it
honestly makes life harder for your parents. But our job is to teach you
right and wrong and that you need to be held accountable for your own
actions. My advice - if you don't want to be punished for something,
then you should think twice about doing something you know you shouldn't
do (and you totally know you shouldn't be doing it so don't try to play
dumb - we are on to you).
3. If you want me to be nice to you, be nice to me.
This should go without saying, but for some reason this is lost on most
people under the age of 22 (and even some adults). I don't like to
yell, really I don't. I would like nothing more than than to float from
day to day with a smile on my face happy as can be. However, I also
don't like when people are rude or mean to me, just like you don't like
it when I am rude or mean to you. So let's make a deal. I will smile and
be nice (and say please and thank you) if you can promise to do the
same for me. It may take some getting use to, but I think you might
actually find it is nice to get along.
2. You get more bees with honey.
Okay, so the saying really goes "You catch more flies with honey than
vinegar", and means being
sweet-tempered will get you what you want sooner than being
sour-tempered. This is very similar to #3. What is boils down to is this
- if you want something from me, ask me nicely. I am much more likely
to say yes (even to something I should say no to) if you are nice and
polite and give me good (real) reasons as to why this is important to
you. Your presentation will actually set the tone for how the entire
exchange between us goes, so tread wisely...
1. We love you no matter what. I am not sure there is anything
you can do that would make me stop loving you. (That is not an
invitation to try however.) I know that you will make mistakes and do
stupid things as you grow up. That is what growing up is all about. But
please know that I will love you anyway and in spite of all that. My job
is to help you through the hard times and move past the mistakes and
kiss away your tears. We are in this crazy ride together so we might as
well hold hands as we fall.