YOU CAN SURVIVE YOUR KID
It Just Takes Time
When I was a young mother, I didn’t know if I was going to survive or not. My younger daughter was an ornery little towhead. She was bound to do things her own way.
She wouldn’t sit on my lap & let me read to her like I did her older sister. She’d race out the front door and jump on her Big Wheel, riding it up & down the sidewalk until she put huge holes in the plastic tires.
Well, I told her dad & sister — she’s only 3.
Halloween was always a disaster. She either refused to dress up or pouted the entire parade route because she didn’t want to be her gypsy sister’s organ grinder. One time she refused to take her hooded coat off at the babysitter’s all day because I had braided her hair. Who knew?
Well, — she was only 4.
In elementary school they’d never allow her to go out for recess after lunch because she wouldn’t finish what was on her tray. And when they caught her stuffing her food into her milk carton, the teacher called to complain. We only lived half a block away, so her dad & I finally decided to let her go home alone for lunch as a possible solution. We never dreamed she’d invite that weird little kid no one liked from her class to go along with her.
Oh, and the time she grabbed a big stick and chased an older bully down the street because he was harassing her sister was really crazy.
Well, — she was only 10.
Today our ornery blonde-headed daughter is a strong, creative woman who still does things her own way. She is an amazing teacher and coach, who fights for the underdogs and stands up to the bullies. (Check out the link.)
Child psychologists must be right when they say the things that drive you insane about your children when they are growing up will actually become their biggest strengths when they are adults.
And, guess what? She’s f-i-n-a-l-l-y having fun dressing up in costumes.
Well, — she’s only 50.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MINDY!!! xoxo
It’ll Be OK.
~~~
“If you’ve never said, ‘You need to back up a little so I can wipe myself,’ then you’ve never had kids.” ~ TheMotherOctopus
COMMENT: Was there something about your child that turned out to be a blessing ?
Happiest birthday wishes to your daughter!! Mindy has my age, she sure is a beautiful lady. God bless her!! My daughter turns 30 this year, it’s hard to only find one thing to tell you that is a blessing. I’m very proud of everything that she has achieved in her life, she is the sweetest and kindest person ever and I miss her terribly. I can’t wait to see her this August when we fly down south to celebrate her 30th birthday ! ♥️ Great job once again Jan !!🙏
Jan, I already told you that I love your writing and the humor you introduce into the story!
I loved meeting Mindy and I identify with her a little - lol
Mindy, continue to defend the oppressed and, if necessary, take the big stick and face the "bullies"
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MINDY!