parenting essay
Justin came across this while we were nesting this evening. It's an old newspaper clipping my grama gave to my mom, and my mom has since given to me. There is another one that I will type out later.
Take Time to Enjoy your Children before they're gone
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"One of these days you'll shout, "Why don't you kids grow up and act your age!?" And they will. Or you'll say "Kids, get outside and find yourselves something to do... and don't slam the door." And they won't.
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You'll straighten the boy's bedrooms neat and tidy... bumper stickers discarded... bedspread tucked and smooth... toys displayed on the shelves. Hangers in the closet with clothes attached. Pets caged. And you'll say out loud, "Now I want it to stay just like this." And it will.
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You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in the icing, and you'll say, "Now that's a meal for guests," ...and you'll eat it alone.
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Youll say, "I want complete privacy on the phone. No dancing around. No pantomimes. No demolition crews. Silence! Do you hear?" And you'll have it.
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No more plastic placemats stained with spaghetti. No more spreads to protect sofas from damp muddy bottoms and dusty shoes. No more gates to stumble over in the doorways. No more hot wheels or Barbie dolls under the couch. No more playpens to arrange a room around.
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No more anxious nights with a vaporizer. No more cracker crumbs on the sheets. No more wall-to-wall water in the bathroom. No more iron-on patches. No wet, knotted shoelaces, pants with knees out, or rubber bands for pony tails.
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Imagine, a lipstick with a point on it. Not having to get a babysitter on New Year's Eve. Doing a wash only once a week. Seeing a steak that isn't cut up. Grocery shopping with only groceries in the basket. No PTA meetings. No more car pools. No blaring radios or cartoon repeats on the television. No more washing her hair at 9 o'clock at night. Having your very own roll of scotch tape.
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Think about it. No more Christmas presents out of construction paper and Elmer's glue. No more sloppy oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No more giggles in the dark. No knees to heal; no responsibility. Only a voice crying, "Why don't you grow up?" And the silence echoing... "I did."
*
To parents: Enjoy while you can.
Take Time to Enjoy your Children before they're gone
*
"One of these days you'll shout, "Why don't you kids grow up and act your age!?" And they will. Or you'll say "Kids, get outside and find yourselves something to do... and don't slam the door." And they won't.
*
You'll straighten the boy's bedrooms neat and tidy... bumper stickers discarded... bedspread tucked and smooth... toys displayed on the shelves. Hangers in the closet with clothes attached. Pets caged. And you'll say out loud, "Now I want it to stay just like this." And it will.
*
You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in the icing, and you'll say, "Now that's a meal for guests," ...and you'll eat it alone.
*
Youll say, "I want complete privacy on the phone. No dancing around. No pantomimes. No demolition crews. Silence! Do you hear?" And you'll have it.
*
No more plastic placemats stained with spaghetti. No more spreads to protect sofas from damp muddy bottoms and dusty shoes. No more gates to stumble over in the doorways. No more hot wheels or Barbie dolls under the couch. No more playpens to arrange a room around.
*
No more anxious nights with a vaporizer. No more cracker crumbs on the sheets. No more wall-to-wall water in the bathroom. No more iron-on patches. No wet, knotted shoelaces, pants with knees out, or rubber bands for pony tails.
*
Imagine, a lipstick with a point on it. Not having to get a babysitter on New Year's Eve. Doing a wash only once a week. Seeing a steak that isn't cut up. Grocery shopping with only groceries in the basket. No PTA meetings. No more car pools. No blaring radios or cartoon repeats on the television. No more washing her hair at 9 o'clock at night. Having your very own roll of scotch tape.
*
Think about it. No more Christmas presents out of construction paper and Elmer's glue. No more sloppy oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No more giggles in the dark. No knees to heal; no responsibility. Only a voice crying, "Why don't you grow up?" And the silence echoing... "I did."
*
To parents: Enjoy while you can.