Mommy Blog

Sons and Daughters Day

in Giggles on August 11, 2016

So last week I stirred up a firestorm of activity about going to the grocery store…who knew some of y’all were so passionate about your peaches?!  I must say, it was interesting to hear from so many of you.  If you will remember, I made reference to the Farmer’s Almanac, a nifty little (big) book in which you can find all sorts of tidbits having to do with days that are celebrated throughout the year besides Christmas, New Year’s and Thanksgiving…days like today:

Today is #SonsAndDaughtersDay.

Now, I’m not certain that today is actually in The Farmer’s Almanac, but it’s odd and unique days, such as this that made my point.

As I was rolling over this morning at 4:45…waking to the gentle rumbles of my extremely fat dog snoring, I had a completely different post in mind.  But, thanks to social media, I was enlightened to the fact that today, we are to celebrate our children.

If you were to be a fly on the wall of my house, you would think that everyday is Sons and Daughter Day.  Most days my sweet innocents operate fully under the delusions that I simple exist to serve them.  This, I must admit, is my own fault.  After all, for the better part of fifteen years, I have cooked, cleaned, washed, and transported them at all hours of the day and night…many times on their whim, often times disregarding my own plans, feelings, or general well-being.  Most mothers have done the same thing…it was in the fine print on the back of the home pregnancy box, under POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS.

Today I was all set to tell you about how I SHOULD BE WRITING something else.  This is laughable in and of itself.  I should be writing…my new book, but instead I woke up thinking about Harry Potter.

Why?  One, he’s my not-so-secret literary crush.  Even Jeff knows that.  Two, I am in awe of J.K. Rowling’s writing style.  Please teach me your ways.  And three, this is the BIG ONE, yesterday I finally succeeded in convincing my daughter to begin READING THE SERIES!!!  Let the trumpets sound the good news and release the balloons!!

This is a big deal…huge deal…monster deal.

My husband likes to read.  I LOVE to read.  My sons LOVE to read.  When myself or either one of my boys get involved in a book, we can no longer hear the outside world.  We forget to eat.  Who, in their right mind, forgets to eat?!!  We do.  We read until we physically cannot keep our eyes open.

Emma…did not inherit any part of a love of books from her parents.

At all.

In fact, when it comes to the Harry Potter series, I’m fairly certain she has boycotted it on principle…until now.  She has slowly and steadily been watching one movie at a time.  I am almost embarrassed to admit, she has never seen all of them all the way through.  Gasp.  She watched the fifth movie last night, and turned to me and said, “Mom, I think I’m ready to read the books now.”

I may have cried a little.

Parents–check that—good parents are constantly looking for ways to connect with their kids.  We live in a technology-driven world now.  That is a fact.  Even so, books are still an excellent way to bridge gaps with our kids…even into high school.  Audible is a wonderful tool.  If you have a significant drive time into work or you travel and have to fly, download your child’s current school assigned book from Audible.  Then the two of you will have something to talk about, and you will know what is going into your child’s mind.  Even if your kiddo does NOT have an assigned reading book, but is totally absorbed by the written word, try reading what he is reading.  Watch the lights come on in your kiddo’s eyes at dinner time as you two discuss the latest world he is immersed into.

Sons and Daughters.  They make us crazy.  They make messes.  They make our hearts their home.  Why on earth wouldn’t we take a day to celebrate them?

Here’s hoping your day is magical!

-Dallas

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