It isn’t cheap entertainment but raising a child is definitely entertaining. My son is about to celebrate his fifth birthday and it seems he is more fun every day. The things he says and the interpretive dance moves he creates leave me in stitches most days.
Don’t get me wrong. He can still be handful and we still have our difficult days but there seems to be a real fun atmosphere at times that I have to admit, prior to about 9 months ago I didn’t think I would see. It seemed I was forever disciplining and correcting and trying to remember to say, “Let’s try this instead”, when what I wanted to say was, “Cut that mess out!”. All the times I had to stay strong and not give in when I really just wanted to give in has now shown me that it was worth it.
Sometimes the comedy is in what our children bring right to our face. There has never been a truer mirror than a child. Have an annoying habit? Your child will exhibit it ten times worse than how annoying you are. Think you’re funny? Your child will tell you exactly what they think of your humor.
My son has begun karate class. A class of about 9 children aged between 4 and 6 is true entertainment. I am so impressed with the teacher and how she is able to get them to focus and follow direction. Still, we are talking about 4, 5 and 6 years olds. In the middle of stretch time children just begin telling the class what seems important to them. “Sensei, yeah, um..(long pause)..I uh, tooted in class today.” “Yeah, I almost fro’d up.”
The relay races are fun too as each child has their own interpretation of the rules. My own son who takes directions very literally did not see the problem with running WITH the other team mate while performing the baton race.
I had an appointment one day that left me with a bit of time before I needed to pick up my son. I thought I would sneek a peek in his class to see how he was doing. I didn’t realize they would be having snack and he would be right by window. Busted! So I went with it. That was the best time I have ever spent. A group of preschoolers sitting around the table eating their snack discussing what is better, peanut butter and crackers, cheese and crackers or just plain crackers. It was a really good discussion. Good points made by all sides. No Jerry Springer heated arguments over whose favorite snack was not the best. I was not only impressed but taken away at how cute it is to listen to how they view what makes a great snack.
Everything about parenthood is not funny. Most days aren’t fun. The days that are treat them as preciously as the fleeting time we have with our children because one day they will leave and the fun will be over.
Good article Tara!