Kids’, Are You Kidding?
A child is never an oinker boinker, unless of course, they are raised that way and grow up to be one. They do, without a doubt, have oinker boinker moments though.
From the moment they were born my children were dearly missed every single moment we were apart. Whether at daycare or grandparents house, school or the first slumber party, wherever they were they were missed and anxious anticipation and excitement surrounded the moments prior to having them with me again. Not every day, but many. When picked up mere seconds into the reunion experience my thoughts turn to: ‘What was I thinking? Are they fighting again? Making me crazy, over yes, I believe today it is once again the same thing, nothing.’ There must be a great big bold S for SUCKER tattooed squarely in the center of my forehead because it’s a situation that must necessitate recurring for a lifetime. Never learning, I’m always anxious and excited to see them until they get in the car and open their mouths.
Of course, when they’re babies they are sweet and lovable. An added bonus is getting to love them while watching the sun come up, and go down, and come up again, etc. Sunsets and sunrises are beautiful even without sleep for days. Don’t forget the diaper experience that too, is another grand occurrence. How does something so small manage bodily functions like that? Since we obviously weren’t sleeping they must run off while we’re taking a shower and eat I don’t know what. That being said, the phenomenal thing about babies is the firsts. The first time grabbing your finger with their tiny hands, smiling and sitting up. Next they’re crawling, standing and walking, well actually waddling. I loved the padding on all sharp corners. The coffee table, end tables and fireplace to name a few, all were stunningly decorated with that lovely gray foam type padding. The drawer and door safety locks were great fun as well. Making the otherwise boring and mundane task of getting to the things you use every day, challenging and exciting. Exhaustion aside, these things win them a permanent place, which goes beyond the descriptive word, in the hearts of their parents. Revel in those moments because they slip away so fast. The very last bottle of the youngest child and the day they lost their waddle was achingly sad for me. If you have children no doubt you get it.
Then there is that first word which is always anxiously anticipated by all parents. Why? We really should appreciate what we have. Smiling and crawling are good things aren’t they? Why can’t we just be content with that? First comes one word, then two. Next there are small sentences, and words that even sailors shouldn’t say or remarks that make one want to lock them in their rooms for life. But sitting in a comfy chair and reading (and re-reading) them their favorite story is magnificently magical. There are no real words for that feeling, it’s a heart thing. Remember to revel in those moments. Watching them grow and learn is amazing. Learning proper verbiage is also important, but I simply couldn’t bring myself to correct a few select words that were spoken so adorably in the incorrect version.
There is no greater source of joy and laughter then children (except for maybe an all expenses paid cruise to the Caribbean.) Potty training is the greatest, especially when it is successfully completed. One evening I recall my youngest hopping on the potty to take care of business and managing to fall in. Rushing to see what all of the yelling was about I ran into the restroom and quickly stepped back into the hall trying desperately to conceal my laughter. The sight of nothing but arms and legs flailing out of the top of the toilet was like some comical science fiction flick. To avoid scarring the child for life, containing myself was essential before the rescue. Another time, after successful completion of the above mentioned topic they felt the need to share the news. I dialed grandma and grandpa’s number and handed over the phone. What occurred next is forever firmly tucked away in my minds eye. They took the phone and proudly said “look at this, I did it.” Next proceeded to run down the hallway and shove the phone in the toilet to show them. Moments to revel in are gone in a flash.
Being an only child I can only watch and learn in wide eyed wonder as the years go by about the interaction of sibling children. Does the youngest one just pop out able to expertly and precisely push the buttons of the elder one(s)? Picture it, two children in two car seats in the backseat of one car, keep in mind that neither are old enough to speak many words. The youngest calmly and slowly turned they’re head slightly towards the other and said “baby” in a quiet voice. The response: clenched fists, red face and screaming “I not a baby”. As the situation quiets down, the youngest repeats the process once again slowly, quietly and methodically. The response continues to be the same. The entire situation repeats until the laughter in the front of the car can be contained to the point of being able to stop the cycle. The moments come and go, but the memories remain, revel in them.
Children will be children and kids are kids. Siblings will argue and dispute one another until the end of time. They are the most precious wonders. (Maybe the eighth wonder of the world.) But they are expensive, exhausting, stressful and frustrating. Still there is nothing fiscal or otherwise that would ever cause me to trade even one second of the entire experience. Remember through it all, from the diapers to running and paying for the activities, sports, dance or whatever, there is no experience more rewarding on this earthly plane. If you ever find yourself, and we all do from time to time, ready to trade them all in at the used child store or they are feverously jumping up and down on your last nerve, even on your seemingly worst day, remember this. Stop for an instant and take a deep breath. Then immerse yourself for a moment with what life would really be like without them. This helps to negate and take away the frustration of the moment. It puts perspective on the focus. Any parent would give anything for just one more of even the worst day over no more days with them at all. Revel in the joy of children, don’t regret missing it. Time goes by so very quickly.
Kids, are you kidding?
