Emily Jean and her impending motherhood has got me inspired. A "follower" of my blog, EJ is now in the hospital being induced with her first child (see earlier post). It got me to thinking about some of the things I wish I knew before I had kids. So, here goes ...
10. Parenting is a spectator sport. Everyone has an opinion. It's important to be teachable, but realize that not all humans are given equal shares of wisdom -- or tact.
9. Going to the bathroom alone is a luxury, not a right.
8. Every kid needs a good tantrum now and then. They are most likely to occur when you cross the threshold of a cavernous superstore warehouse.
7. In times of desperation, Fruit Loops DO count as a food group. Really.
6. When people say, "They grow up so fast," they are actually referring to height. The maturity process ... not quite so speedy.
5. No matter how hip and cool you are, when your kid turns 12, the gig is up. You suddenly have the relevance of an 8-track tape player.
4. Your first name is pointless. You are hereupon known only as "Johnny's mom."
3. When you pick up the telephone, it triggers some kind of child homing device. Your little rugrats can be two floors away, but they will find you. Oh yes, they will find you.
2. You have to be the grown-up now. No fair!
And the Number One thing I wish I knew before I became a parent is ...
1. It's okay not to be perfect. Love covers a multitude of sins.
I Corinthians 13:13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Any advice out there for Emily Jean?
What do YOU wish you knew before you became a parent?
Hilarious, Melinda. I love #5. I've somehow morphed from a relatively cool, trendy mom to THE MOST EMBARASSING MOM. EVER.
ReplyDeleteMy only advice is this: Pray. Pray hard, pray long, pray at all times.
Wonderful Blog, I am stopping by from the MBC.
ReplyDeleteLori
I love your top-10 list!
ReplyDeleteAnd how true - people know me because of my kids ...and yes, I have 4 names, too!
Love this list! It reminds me that you can still laugh in the midst of the madness! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI wish someone had told me to be sure to take care of me too not just my sweet baby. Also, that I would have to do a lot of sacrificing - especially my privacy in the bathroom LOL.
What an awesome blog. You have a new follower.
hahahaha... incredibly hilarious! You've made me laugh and nod in agreement... love the fruit loops one!
ReplyDeleteFollowing from MBC!
I am so flattered by this post! thank you for thinking of me! I need all the advice I can get. I asked my husband once what his advice would be for expectant dads and he said "Wear a condom or always have a hoagie with you in case she gets hungry!" Hah! What a dweeb! :)
ReplyDeleteHaHa! I am from MBC I look forward to reading more your blog. Please stop by and my blog sometime.
ReplyDeletedaisy
Hi, visiting from Mom Bloggers' Club. Great post. No. 12 is already breaking my heart, and my kids are 1 and 2. Better go snuggle them while they'll still allow it!
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite to the level of "Caleb and Trey's mom" but it's fast aproaching. I wish someone would have told me how much they love to talk when they finally learn how. It's so fun to hear what's really going on in his head.
ReplyDelete