It’s been a good week. I think. The kids have had colds. I had a final for my first class for my masters. I think I did ok. I am experiencing a feeling I have not really had in my life to date. I knew all of the information on the test but had a spaz attack and missed some. Hopefully I did enough to keep my A. I didn’t miss them because I wasn’t prepared  or didn’t care. I just missed them because. It is a terrible feeling and a good thing I haven’t been like this my whole life. I don’t think I could have handled it. The pursuit of academic perfection is tiring.

Anyhow. The kids had their snotty noses. They seem to be mostly over it. The best part is that Monkey didn’t really have that many seizures with this round of crud. So that is awesome!

Radom thought for the day.

Consider this. Expectations. What is it that we expect for our kids? What is the goal? Just not to bother us hard working and exhausted parents too much? I hope that’s not it. But somedays, it’s the best we’ve got.

I’m watching TV while writing this and a commercial just rolled by 19 Kids and Counting. Now, no matter what you think about these folks decision to continue having lots and lots of children, you must admit there is something admirable going on here.

What do I think it is? They are rearing and raising people. Not just watching their kids grow up while passively being extraordinarily busy.  They have an expectation for genuine relationships and are not just looking for their kids to be out the way.

As a parent I see no greater goal. I hope to one day turn my children loose (well Princess, I’m pretty sure that if Monkey ever leaves us, it will just be to live with her). Watch them grow into something truly their own.

I worked at a summer camp while in college. My third summer I was given the responsibility of being a unit coordinator. This meant that instead of being with campers all day I was responsible for a group of counselors. One day while a group of campers with their counselors were doing a work project that I was overseeing, my boss comes by. He looks at me watching. He looks at my counselors half heartedly helping their camper who are less than excited about pulling weeds. Then abruptly pulls me aside and asks why I’m not getting my hands dirty.

Crucial life lesson. You can’t lead unless you’re willing to get in there and do what you’re are asking others to do. You don’t tell people what to do and then stand around watch. Excitement is not transferred with words alone. Love is not understood by providing stuff and keeping busy.

I’m about to upset someone. I just know it. Hold on to something.

Quit making excuses for why you have so much to do. Slow down. Play. With. Your. Kids. Laugh with them, share with them, and show them how to do some real loving.

Check this out. When someone asks you to do something, you like it when they speak calmly and say please? When your kids ask you to do something, wouldn’t you like the same? Of course you would. Guess what? You might give a try to slowing down and asking them to obey your requests politely.

Forgive my soapbox, but after all, this my blog and is essentially my soap box. You have chosen to sit in front of it 🙂 Thank you by they way!

I am just tired of looking around and seeing parents complain about things that they have the immense power and responsibility to change. Yes, that is right. I think we as parents have power and HUGE responsibility. The bizarre part of this is, some folks think it is everyone else’s job to rear, raise and encourage the goodness out of their children. Everyone but themselves.

Now for those you who are reading this and don’t have kids or don’t think you ever will… This is not just about parenting. This about living. The same rules apply to your friendships and other relationships. It just happens that the most important relationships in my life are with my children and wife.

So go get your hands dirty.

Dismount soapbox. I encourage you to find one for yourself and see if we can start raising people. Thanks for reading.