Wow! It's been several days since my last entry and I'm back. I have been extremely busy and exhausted and nothing exciting has really happened!
My day began with a workout with Christa, rodeo orientation, teaching a "Planet Bread" class (Panera new hire orientation) and then the grocery store. I accomplished all but one of these due to my General Manager's lack of memory and responsibility to his new hires. I arrived at Panera to teach my class and to my dismay found that neither materials or he were there. Talk about pissed...I had arranged my day around this class as well as the attendees that showed. All he had to say was, "I forgot!". He didn't give a shit since he was home and in his own little world..."Dumb Ass World"! Wait 'til I send him a bill for 2 hours worth of pay for my INCONVENIENCE!
I received a Facebook message from a friend asking if I'd watched Real Housewives this week? Of course I did and it immediately made me recall the segment with housewife Lynne in total denial of her parental duties. This woman and her husband have no clue (or their just high on something) how to deal with their two children and don't seem to think they need help!
I began to question my parenting skills:
Would I allow my child to call me a Bitch? Hell no! Not to my face. I don't care how old they are, disrespect is not tolerated and there would be consequences. Bye, Bye cell phone, video games and whatever else I could get my hands on (no, not bodily harm!). Yes, I called my mother and father names, but never to their faces. I was too afraid of them!
Should your child be afraid of you? Yes, to an extent! We are not their friends, therefore, they should know that if they step "out of line" or "screw up", consequences are forthcoming. If we, as parents, don't teach them right from wrong who is? The Judicial system? I'm not willing to let it get that far!
Invade their privacy or just TRUST them? Invade! Invade! Come on now, we all know what we did at their age, do you think they're any different? We can only hope but for sanity's sake I check texts, myspace, facebook, drawers and under bed. If you don't you're fooling yourself! It is our responsibility to keep them safe from others and most of all themselves.
Communication and Honesty! My husband, John, and I have always been open with Kyle. This includes, sex, drugs, drinking and anything in between (he probably hears more than he wants and does the "yucky" face, but so far it's working). Parents need to get involved in their children's lives: PTA, Booster Club, Athletics, Social Events, etc. Don't be afraid of embarrassing them, that's what we're here for! I can't tell you how many times I've embarrassed Kyle, but after it's all said and done, I know who he's with, where he is and his friends like to hang out at our house and actually think I'm kind of Cool! They'll appreciate you when their older and have children of their own.
I feel very fortunate to have a son that is respectful, smart and responsible. Yes, he is only 16 and just started driving, but I have no illusions that he is perfect and won't have some wild moments. To be honest, I hope he does (as long as it's all in good fun and legal), it's a right of passage! He does have the fear that I will "hear" about it because I have involved myself in Booster Club, Athletics and am known in the community. Nothing can get past me, just like when I was growing up with my parents involved in my school and the community...I knew better than to get caught! Scary! They had eyes and ears all over the place as do I! There may come a time or two that I miss something and I'll be happy not to know everything, maybe! My parents didn't know everything, or did they and their just waiting to tell me about it when I catch Kyle! See, I'm still scared of them!
In conclusion, we need to be there for our children, talk to them, ask questions, be involved, discipline and set boundries. Kids want this from us! They may not know it yet, but make sure you let them know it soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment