Before I actually was a parent, I had all these grand ideas of how I had the parenting thing "all figured out." And then Kylie came along and I realized being a parent was a bit more challenging than babysitting. After a bit of tweaking, I was certain that I was going to be the one to make parenting toddler age "virtual twins" look effortless. And then Caleb arrived ~ and my grandiose visions were abandoned.
First of all, my kids would never misbehave in public. Roger that, (insert maniacal laughter at my stupidity) and that's why Ian and I have a code look on our faces to get the heck out of dodge before we have what we term an "Ungraceful exit."
Second, my kids would never be in public dressed "like that." Uuhh huh, we've worn winter tights under summer strappy dresses, pajamas out to dinner, colors and patterns that totally clash, and even our shorts backwards or our shoes on the wrong feet. (I do put my foot down and declare that I have the say so in what the kids wear to church...)
And lastly, and by far the most vehemently, I would NEVER, under any circumstances, make my one of my children wear a leash.
Then we planned a family vacation to go here...
(photo courtesy of National Parks Service)
(photo from Yellowstone National Park homepage)...and the guidebook has warnings like this...
Where are your children?
Your hand and voice may be too far away if your child leaves your side. Keep your children next to you and make sure they understand the hazards of Yellowstone— especially hydrothermal areas, wildlife, and steep drop-offs.
...and we have a curious little guy who likes to explore by running ~ FAST!
All I have to say is never say never ~ safety comes first!(And yes, we have tested to see just how strong Elmo is ~ Caleb can be lifted completely off the ground!)
(I tell myself that she asked for her pink doggy, so at least I didn't MAKE both my kids wear one...)
14 comments:
Very funny!! That never say never motto continues all the way through....hey, at least your flexible!! LOL! Have a great vacation, can't wait to see pictures!
That is very funny. AND I have to say, I have actually thought of buying two of those for my upcoming China trip. Then the never say never would apply to me, but not for the first time :) There were times Em got through security or somewhere before us, and she was fast in china, The thought of tow of them doing it to me is frightening, those may be a purchase for our trip!
Oh, this post just cracks me up!
Like you, I have learned never to say never! Sometimes, you gotta do what you've gotta do!
I snorted a little when I read the part that Caleb can be lifted off the ground! :)
Kylie and Caleb you look so cute and cuddly on leashes! :)
Aunt Cici
After 16 years of parenting, I've pretty much eaten all my pre-parenting words. My new motto is, "All's fair in love and parenting."
And Abby was the leash-wearer in our family. I could not BLINK without the girl taking off...usually not very far, but just enough out of sight to give me a heart attack. I swear it saved her from taking a dunk in the Charleston Harbor.
Oh, and Mickey's new favorite thing to do is get in the van and announce on arrival at our destination that he has no SHOES. You'd think, by now, I'd just throw a pair in the back for emergencies, but I'm a natural consequence kind of girl. Which is why Mickey wore his SISTER'S cute little shoes in the store the other day. Unfortunately, for me, he just laughed.
I've sure had fun catching up with you after being gone for several days. I just LOVE your blog! Today's cracked me up- ah, all those "I'd never do that" statements down the drain. I hope you have a SAFE trip, above all! :)
My "never" was that my kids would never eat in the car...now I'm pretty sure that, if needed, Abby could survive for a few days on the "leftovers" that she stores back there. :) At least the kids are going to be safe!
I had a whole list of "nevers" back when I was an exceptional parent (which was way before I actually had children!). Now, as long as they're happy, healthy, safe and fairly clean, I consider it a good day!
Enjoy your trip!!! :)
Oh, how we've learned to never say never (camping!) But might I just say that he actually looks like he likes the elmo "leash". How cute is it that they acutally come in cute little characters & boy/girl colors now! I must say I just laughed my head off about Cindy's comment about the shoes!!
LOL! My mom and I have an ongoing thing about the leash! I had one on my registry and my mom was horrified! I was like "but mom, its a cute monkey backpack too that he can carry stuff in!". I thought it would be great for the Bloomsburg Fair because the fair is huge and so crowded. My dad and I still tease her... my dad was trying to buy me one at the wholesale club!
Wisdom comes with trial and error! Every parent has to learn - one child at a time because each child is so different.
Caleb looks so proud in his
"leash". I'm delighted that he will be confined in parts of Yellowstone - those boiling pots are just too scarey with his quickness (and many of the boardwalks are not very wide).
Kylie's pink doggie is cute. Of course, she would want her own "leash". You and Ian will be much more relaxed knowing they are not able to dart away.
God be with you,
LaoLao
Wisdom comes with trial and error! Every parent has to learn - one child at a time because each child is so different.
Caleb looks so proud in his
"leash". I'm delighted that he will be confined in parts of Yellowstone - those boiling pots are just too scarey with his quickness (and many of the boardwalks are not very wide).
Kylie's pink doggie is cute. Of course, she would want her own "leash". You and Ian will be much more relaxed knowing they are not able to dart away.
God be with you,
LaoLao
Just want you to know that I will be thinking of you and hope you have a good trip aside from the serious side of it. Hope all goes well and I send my love to all of you.
Aunt Nancy in Oh.
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