So lately my days have consisted of babysitting. It keeps me busy! Keeping 6 (sometimes more sometimes less) kids happy and occupied is not so easy. I really love it though. I get to sit back and listen to some of the most hilarious conversations. Have you ever taken the time to listen to a 4 year old's perspective of the world? You should! The kids are my own 2 girls Katelyn 11 and Michelle 6. The other kids are Morgan 8, Ethan 8, Chase 6, and Sascha 4. I know there are lots of people who were raised with brothers and sisters. However that wasnt the case for me. I was primarily raised around adults. Not kids, and I do have brothers and sisters. I didnt grow up with them though. Last week we were listening to a Bill Cosby tape. He was talking about people who have only 1 child. He said it didnt count as parenting because when the child broke something you knew who did it, there was no bickering to going through the drama of trying to pinpoint the guilty party. He also said an only child doesnt yell at someone because they are touching them and of they did they would need some special help lol. I still think youre a parent but the man has a valid point. Most parents have had the day where a child comes home and they want to talk talk talk...we imagine 6x the voices all wanting to be heard and have your attention at once. It honestly makes your brain numb. I am a strict parent. I dont want kids that are loud and obnoxsious. I want them to respect others and have manners. My kids understand im like that because I love them. No they dont always like it...In the long run probably very very long run they will come to see the good in all of it.
Now I would like to discuss some pet peeves of parenting.
- Using your parents mistakes as an excuse to be irresponsible and make irrational choices. Learn from others mistakes. That doesnt give you the right to make bad choices because someone else did. Show your kids that you want better for them. Don't play the victim...Be the hero!
- Correcting your kids. I dont care if its my own child or one that I watch...You will not disrespect me or other people. You need to talk and treat others the way you want to be treated...listen to the tone of the way you speak to others...is it mean or loud??? Is that really necessary?
- Never ever make promises you cant keep to children...Even if its something like coming to visit. If you do make sure you have a reason and talk to the child involved. Don't make them feel unimportant.
Parenting and being a good example is not easy...Neither is life. I'd rather not live life full of regret though. Keep your head up...there's ALWAYS someone worse off than you are.
