That's Crazy Talk

 I always feel a little queasy when people talk bad about their in-laws. Some in-laws are kind of monsters, but I, in so many ways, just got lucky (if mine are monsters, they are more like Sesame Street Monsters - nice, helpful, smart, addicted to junk food). 

I was reading a great article about the evolution of parenting and I finally finished my paper on parenting and something my father-in-law says all the time clicked in my brain this morning.

Whenever I express concern for the long-term possible effects of some mistake I've (or whomever I'm gossiping about) made as a parent, he says, "Oo-Ah think those kids will be just fine." 

And he is probably right. A newborn knows what it needs and how to get it, even in the middle of the night. A one year old tries to help all the time, they watch and smile. A feisty two or three year old knows they need to learn how to do EVERYTHING theirself. I do it myself! Me do it! Four and five year olds know they have to be fast and learn everything. Most of the time, parents are obstacles to the child being WHO HE REALLY IS. Because a person will become who they are supposed to become one way or another. Right? Aren't you who you are supposed to be? No? But you KNOW who you are sposta be, doncha? (Probably you should get on that.)


Husband and I are not the best at the religious instruction part of rearing our children. But we have family pray together every night. I wish prayer time was everyone quietly kneeling and reflecting on our glorious Father in Heaven. Haha. Prayer time in me yelling "FOLD YOUR FRIKKEN ARMS!!" as one of my children says, "dearheavenlyfatherthankyouforthisdaythatnkyouforourwholefamilyhelpusgetagoodnightsleepinthenameofjesuschristAMEN!"

(shaking head in shame)

I'm TRYING to teach my children how to communicate with Divine Perfection so they may have access to Pure Truth. I don't know if I'm teaching them anything really. But maybe the habit will help them someday when they need help. For me, it is a daily reminder that I need to  communicate with my Father in Heaven in a respectful and sincere way. And I really, really do. (Often, God (or the ghost of my grandmother) says to me, "T'ain't funny McGee,").

We think we are teaching our children, and to some degree we are, for better or for worse, but we are really teaching ourselves. The kids will be fine. I can lose my temper and swear and even whack them now and then out of pure frustration or irritation. I can feed them corn dogs for lunch and uncooked ramen noodles for dinner. I can brush their hair as they scream and cry. I'm not saying there are no long term negative effects, but, overall, the kids will be fine. Most people, whatever there childhood, are fine. Could be better, but not so bad.

We are all a little crazy.

So crazy is normal.