I have never claimed to be a parenting expert, quite the opposite actually. I really have no idea what I am doing in this parenting thing. I just go with the flow and make it up as I go along.
That is why I have some moments that would make Florence Henderson’s head spin. These moments are when I shine as a parent. They let me know that I sort of do know what I am doing.
Let me set the scene. Its dinner time. The kids have been whining for food for about 2 hours and dinner has been delayed because I had to take time to go and rescue Quinn and Claire from a pricker bush which Hayden led them into while taking them on a ‘nature hike’. When I finally get dinner on the table the kids are crazy. They can’t get the food in their mouths fast enough.
Hayden is rocking on his chair in excitement. He is not just rocking but also tipping the chair as he flings his body from side to side. If he keeps this up, he is going to fall. I don’t want to deal with a kid who has fallen so I say,
“Hayden, if you keep rocking your chair from side to side like that you are going to fall and hit your head and get a big owie that will bleed all over the place. And mommy and daddy will not feel sorry for you because you have been told before not to do this. Now,stop!”
Then Jeff, the most sarcastic parent of all, adds, “Yeah and then mommy will have to blog about it because fall off your chair is just funny.”
And that right there makes us good, no great parents. Any day now, those parenting book offers will come pouring into my inbox and I am expecting you all to nominate us for parents of the year. Yeah, we are that good.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh dear! That’s too funny. Well, sometimes the bare honest truth is what will get through to a kid…
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So did he fall over and start bleeding?
.-= Kelly Deneen´s last blog ..The weekend I wished for a green thumb =-.
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Jen Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
No, he actually stopped. Go figure.
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Oh my gosh!! I have said those EXACT same words to MY kids! But they did stop doing whatever destructive behavior they were doing, so it must work! I’m laughing: I thought I was the only one who made that threat!! Oh, I feel like such a good momma now! ; )
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Sing With Me!! =-.
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I look forward to the day when I can bribe my daughter with threats of blogging about her exploits. (rubs hands together with an evil smile) Mwahahaha!
.-= Carabee´s last blog ..Table Topics Tuesday: Bitter Pill =-.
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LOL! I have found that if you are sarcastic enough times at an early age it doesn’t take long before they pick up on it. But be careful…….they also learn how to be sarcastic.
.-= Michelle @ One Crafty Mama´s last blog ..WW – My month in pictures =-.
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I love it!! What is the benefit of having that many kids if you can’t exploit it a little?? That’s good parenting right there! Classic.
.-= Stef´s last blog ..LOL or Brutal Honesty….You decide…. =-.
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Had I been blogging in 06, I so would have blogged about my son falling off the table and breaking nose…wait…I DID blog about it…about a year ago when I posted pictures from certain folders etc. Haha. So yeah, you guys totally rock this parenting gig!
.-= Lourie´s last blog ..Which is Worse? =-.
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Snorted while laughing at this one.
It is too funny how when kids get used to certain things, they think it is normal.
My family has already after only a few months gotten used to the fact that almost everything is blog fodder. And they too, you are probably going to write about this one right???
Loved the way you told the story-and the title adds to it.
.-= susie @newdaynewlesson´s last blog ..A Short Visit Is Better Than No Visit =-.
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We have all had a rockin kid at one time or another! I love your approach:-)
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Oh Jen – often, way too often, I can see those moments in my home.
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LOL! U r funny..
I say almost the same stuff to my daughte and she is 8 months old.. That good I am with parenting.
.-= prerna´s last blog ..Baby Steps to Baby Food.. =-.
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so the real point is…did he stop rocking?
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I would read that parenting book.
It sounds hilarious.
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I happen to think using your blog for leverage is a brilliant parenting move.
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..on being whiskey tango =-.
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OMG, that’s hysterical!!! How old is Jeff? So awesome that your kids know that you blog. Nothing like the threat of public humiliation to get them to do what you want, right?
Coincidence–my hubby said something to me last night, and I immediately started frantically typing it into the computer so I wouldn’t forget it. It was a classic comment to use to build a blog post. He was like, “Dammit! Why does everything I say turn into a blog post?”
I started singing, “You’re so vain…you probably think this post is about you…”
.-= Angie´s last blog ..What’s that smell? Oh, wait, it’s me. =-.
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I like that he already understands the importance of good blogging fodder. Smart Lad.
.-= Nancy C´s last blog ..I’m Trying to Get It. =-.
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Not to worry, Jen. Parenting books are written about what we SHOULD do…
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We are so sarcastic with our kids too. I know it will come back to bite me in the ass some day…very soon. Glad he stopped rocking!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Vote for my beautiful babies! =-.
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I firmly believe sarcasm is a life tool that every child needs to learn and therefore every parent needs to start teaching them early on. At least that is what I tell myself.
.-= Catherine @ Evolving Mommy´s last blog ..Roasted Piquillo Pepper Dip =-.
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Love this.
My son has started to say, “Are you going to write about this?” And sometimes my husband is all, “You better not put this in your blog.” (I usually do though.)
.-= Amber´s last blog ..My Dear Letters =-.
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I just love your approach – you’ve got my vote!
.-= Tina @ Ride On Toys´s last blog ..The Razor E200 Electric Scooters Are Perfect For Pre-Teens =-.
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Hilarious. Your kids would be well versed for my class! Most of the teenagers don’t get it here!
.-= Krystyn´s last blog ..To drive or not to drive =-.
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Hey … Mr. Jenners and I do this all the time … you have to amuse yourself SOMEHOW!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Answering Angie’s Questions =-.
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ha! that warning actually came true to my husband’s brother when they were younger…he was leaning his chair back and it tipped backwards – right through the sliding glass door! agh! Thankfully I dont’ think it did too much damage – but my husband may say differently…haha!
.-= Barbara Manatee´s last blog ..Happily Ever After =-.
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