One of the Best Things

I think I’ve figured out one of the very best things about parenthood.

You can take what you want from the childhood you experienced,

And leave the rest.

Hanging plant as the best mom’s day gift? Taking that. Trips to Hampton Beach? Taking that. Hours upon hours of playing outside? Taking that.

Spanking? Leaving that. It’s completely contradictory. Dessert after dinner every night? Leaving that, too. I want my kids to think of dessert as something special, not a given. Not teaching my kids to swim? Leaving that. I will not pass my fear onto them.

My point is, once you’re a parent, you can pick and choose what you’ll continue and what you won’t. It’s rather empowering.

Here's an example: the kids needed crayons. I have no idea what happened to the last box I bought, but since we have a Golden Retriever with a penchant for crayons, I wasn’t too surprised. So Buddy and I went to the store, and we eyed all the Crayola products.

I wanted to buy them all.

Remember when the best thing in the world was a brand new pack of crayons, colored pencils or markers? Yeah. I still feel like an 8 year old when I look around the arts and crafts aisle.

I narrowed my gaze to the crayon selection. Choices: 8, 16, 24, 64 or 96. OK, I’m not actually sure those were the choices, I’m relying on what I remember from 23 years ago. My eyes immediately went to the box of 96.

The one I never had.

I wanted to get it but I hesitated. Why was it that my parents didn’t get it for me? Is it unnecessary? Is there just as much fun found in a box of 64?

Maybe, but at age 31, I wasn’t taking any chances. I needed to see inside this box of 96. I wasn't disappointed. Neon, glitter, and regular crayons of every shade imaginable were inside that box. Rosie and Buddy’s eyes nearly popped out of their eyes when they saw all of them.

If this is spoiling, so be it. Drawing and coloring improves fine motor development. I don't think you can spoil too much when it comes to that.

Picking and choosing which aspects you'll keep from your childhood:
It’s one of the very best things about raising kids.