Learning to Keep Your Mouth Shut - LJ Idol, Season 10, Week 8

[adpaz]

Monday is the 11th anniversary of one of the best, and sometimes scarriest, days of my life.  It's the day I first became a Mom and the day I started learning things I never thought I'd need to.  Like the fact that my heart can hold more love than I ever thought possible.  Or that sometimes you say things you never expected like "Please take the

Comments

[murielle]

I don't have any children, but I can see this is a huge issue. Well don't on using the prompt in a unique way.

[adpaz]

I've found that it's not just children that it comes into play with, but everyone in my life. It's just that I notice it more with my kids. :-) And thanks for the compliment!

[yachiru]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/15/spaghetti-toes-martin-bruckner-funny-tumblr_n_6327882.html
Your first paragraph reminded me of this. Kids seem like tiny insane people. ^^

I like your take on the topic. I'm sure the "no comment" thing will help a lot as they get older.

[adpaz]

Oh, I'm definitely getting more practice with the "no comment" thing. You'd be surprised at what you need to no comment about with middle schoolers! :-) And thanks for introducing me to Spaghetti Toes. Definitely reminds me of my insane ones!

[rayaso]

These were excellent points. It really is hard to let them make mistakes, but it is necessary to growing up and developing judgment. Nagging about homework isn't nearly as effective as what you do, a few reminders and if it doesn't get done, a bad grade. Unfortunately, sometimes they don't care (or say they don't care) about the grade, and then more problems develop. Sometimes being a parent is just dealing with one problem after another, with too few wonderful times in between.

[adpaz]

It does make those wonderful times even more special though. And I wouldn't trade the good or the bad for anything. Thanks again for stopping by!

[baxaphobia]

I'm not a parent but I can imagine it's tough when you see your kids making choices that are not what you would want for them. Hopefully they are doing well and know they have a mom that will listen when they need .

[adpaz]

I like to think they are and they do. I try to not push, even when I want to, and be open and understanding when they need me to be. It is tough, but I want to be the mom they need. Thanks for stopping by!

[roina_arwen]

I think you're a great mom!

Regarding this: I'm learning that keeping my comments to myself about my eldest's friends that are, in my mind, not a good influence, because he's got to learn to trust his own judgement. --Hopefully Teddy will be a good influence on those friends, which is important too!

[adpaz]

Thanks, Ro! I don't know how much of a good influence he's been on the ones that aren't friends I'd chose for him, but he has made the choice to cut a few of them from his own life on his own when they are proving that they won't change, so there is that.