Parenting Pays Off!

Well the winds have shifted in the world of parenthood in our home. Child number two, 14 year old Ellen is a nanny for a couple children who haven’t grown up with many household rules, restrictions, or manners. I picked her up from work yesterday and it was all I could do not to laugh as she poured out her frustrations on the way home.

“First Daniel was spitting at the table. Then he picked a fight with Emily. And like when they went out to play they went to a neighbor’s house and I couldn’t find them. I finally found them and was so mad I told them they had to help clean the house. Mom, it was like there was stuff everywhere and they kept saying they didn’t see anything that needed picking up. And Emily walked right by a pile of her toys and didn’t even see it. Mom, they have had no expectations of them by their parents! Now I get why you and Dad had rules and expectations of us.”

And the story went on and on. By the time we got home she had unloaded every moment of the day that the children should have behaved differently and how her Dad and I would never have tolerated that in our home. The amazing last words she said as she got out of the car were “I always thought when I become a parent I wouldn’t have all the rules you and Dad do. Ha, not anymore, I get why you and Dad have rules. And I’m glad too.”

When I dropped her off at work today, the kids were outside riding their bikes. As soon as the kids saw her coming they ditched their bikes and grabbed their helmets. Guess she’s making them live by a few rules now.

All those parenting moments when I could have screamed, and okay, the times I did scream I really wondered if my kids would ever get it. And now, she has.