Parenting Advice from a Non-Parent

Rule #1 when I'm a mom will be not to break my kids down. There are enough other people and situations in the world that will do that.

I want my kids to think they're good at everything and, equally importantly, that I think they're good at everything.

I've mostly lost my voice due to this nasty cold and what's left of it would best be described...hmm...imagine that a baritone and a frog had a baby and he loved to sing? Like that.

While butchering Christmas songs this morning (due to my cold, mind you, not my normal, lovely singing voice), I was lamenting to my mom that I wouldn't be able to sing carols this year. I proposed that maybe I could be the Christmas whistler. After a quick audition, she said that perhaps I'd be more suited for the bells or accordion.

Now, this was all in jest, of course.

But why not lift your kids (even if they're adults) right on up? Fill those self-esteem buckets to the brim.For whatever reason, kids still look to their parents for approval, whether they're 2 or 32.

Your kid stinks at baseball. Practice with them in the backyard.

Your ballerina isn't graceful. Applaud after every living room performance.

Your little poet can't rhyme. Hang those poems on the fridge.

Your Christmas whistler can't carry a tune. Let her whistle in your fictional caroling scenario, for crying out loud.

Who ever heard of a Christmas carol accordion player anyway?

Timer Practice

This morning at work (because, let's face it, who's dedicated to actually working on Christmas Eve), I whipped the ol' camera out for a little impromptu photo session with the moms.

Let's agree that I need more practice with the camera, but I think these shots are adorable. Am I biased? Yes.

                                                                   Lesson, the first:

If you're going to set the timer to take continuous shots, give your subject a heads up.

Lalala.



Wait. What? There's another one?

How many is it going to take?

It's done now, yeah? Yes, mom, it's done.

Lesson, the second:

Stop laughing, you crazy person.

This is mom's pre-cheek-kissing face.

So is this.

Um...stop laughing.

So! Funny! Can't! Breathe!

Aaaaaand it's an epidemic.

Lesson, the third:

For the photographer in me: Make sure all subjects are in the shot. For the model in me: Stay in the frame, jackass.

Oooh! Cheek-kiss success!!

Post-cheek-kiss success?

Going.

Back in the shot. But with the giggles again. Mom's swooping in for another kiss.

And she's gone. Where'd I go?

This was a well-spent morning and a blast to do. I now have some great shots of my mom and I. There are so few in existence due to our consistent failure to act like normal humans when a camera's around. I also learned several lessons about photography, clearly.

Look at just how much fun it can be to make mistakes.