August 24, 2006why matt and I have a lot to learn
Matt and I were outside a popular restaurant the other night waiting for a table and were watching the folks around us. There was a family near us, a mom and dad with three kids ranging in age from about 4-8 years old. We weren't sure who was deaf and who was hearing in the family, but they were all quietly signing to each other. At some point Matt and I glanced over at the 6 year old boy who was signing to his sister. He was sticking his index finger in his mouth and then motioning to his butt while doing a funny little dance. Then he would stick the other finger in his mouth and point to the his butt again. We found this completely hilarious and charming. (It was so much better in sign language!) And then wondered what kind of parents we're going to be. Are we going to inadvertently be encouraging this behavior? Look out world... Posted on August 24, 2006 10:50 AMComments
Your message is very popular. My sons, 19 and 14, have always respected the fact that their Mom is the burp and fart Queen around here. We watch the "rude & crude" movies together and roll with laughter but I am also a pretty strict disciplinarian... it takes balance. Posted by: aola at August 29, 2006 10:38 AM(when i taught kindergarten, for example, i taught all of my students to say "you big palooka" instead of please. you'd think their parents would be mad but everyone who mentioned it thought it was hilarious.) Posted by: rama at August 28, 2006 10:23 AMmischief is great in my opinion. it will keep us on our toes. Posted by: rama at August 28, 2006 10:21 AMyou'll be the best kind! Posted by: maile at August 28, 2006 10:06 AMno, it's awesome! never lose that! Posted by: whitney at August 27, 2006 07:05 PMthe world needs more parents who can lighten up. thank ye gods i married a 7 year old in a 37 year old body. he keeps me from being a stick in the mud and shows my kids silly is good, silly is life, silly is wondrous. you might be the silly-maker in your family, or it might be your husband - or perhaps the both of you will do the honors. Whichever, every clan needs some healthy giddy goodness... Posted by: estea at August 27, 2006 10:10 AMYa know everyday I ask myself what kind of parent I am suppose to be. Its like I have to wear a different hat of 'parent' for specific situations. But ultimately it comes down to LOVE. That everything can happen out of love. Even the bad times. I love my daughter, she is hilarious and bright and stubborn and creative and imaginative and a delight. I've just learned to cherish every single second I have with her. Kisses, hugs, and laughter. You will definately have a blast! Posted by: jus at August 27, 2006 06:01 AMOh, I hope you guys are going to consciously encouraging this behavior, and all the fun that it promotes! You know of all people that life is too short. Trust yourself to be the best, most funnest mom and dad in the world!!!! I can hear the giggles coming from your little one now...and the joy in your hearts infecting others to let go and lighten up...sheesh.... Posted by: Debra at August 26, 2006 04:52 PMHa! I worked as a nanny for years and always have trouble keeping a straight face at times when I "shouldn't" laugh. Kids can be so impossibly funny~ my 19-month-old nephew is currently the absolute funniest person I know... Posted by: Anna at August 26, 2006 06:41 AMThe world needs more silly loving parents!!!!!!! maybe no one in the family was deaf...when owen was a baby we taught him (and ourselves) to sign so he could communitcate with us before he could speak. i was sceptical about this at first, but decided to give it a try. at nine months he signed his first word "milk". it was truly amazing! his little hands caught on and his little mind was filled with language even though there was no speach...who knew?? and even now in a loud mall or across a crowded room, we can sign to each other and be heard! i feel like this early commmunication tool was one of the best gifts we gave to our babe. he has always had so much to say! Posted by: my pink sky at August 25, 2006 05:52 AM...and so, your baby will arrive, tiny and spongelike - to absorb all that you have to give. What kind?...The BEST kind!!! Don't you spent a nano second worrying bout that. You know it, you're just putting us on, right? I could go on and on and tell you WHY you and Matt will be wonderful parents, if you want... Posted by: Shelley Noble at August 24, 2006 11:20 PMAndrea! I vist often and you seems so truly happy lately. I am thrilled for you. I can't wait to read about your adventures as a parent. Posted by: danielle at August 24, 2006 08:57 PM*grinning* yeah american sign language rocks! there are moments when i'm glad i'm signing rather than using my voice - sometimes some things are best un-vocalized. ;) if you didn't hear any of them speaking at all - my guess is that the whole family is deaf. by the way, there are ASL books to teach babies how to sign - since they can't speak quite early yet so ASL is a great way to communicate w them. i can give you names of books to get if you want. even though i don't know you well, i think you and matt will be great parents. :) Posted by: muck at August 24, 2006 08:41 PMi stumbled across your archives when searching for 'maxfield parrish clouds' and i'm happy i did. your photos are lovely. i hope you don't mind if i put a link to your journal on my (very new) blog, so i can remember to come back. The joy of children is so infectious! Posted by: Tiff at August 24, 2006 05:15 PMI am the first one to initiate potty humor with my daughters. I figure somewhere along the line it will make them cooler if they are up on their fart noises and sticking things up the nose tricks. Posted by: Kage at August 24, 2006 04:36 PMyeah we are 'that' kind of parents and it's so fun. When our one year old farts even he laughs now! Posted by: faery at August 24, 2006 03:25 PMif you infuse as much joy into your little one as you have into the peeps that frequent this blog, grand parents you will be indeed! Posted by: jo at August 24, 2006 01:18 PMYou're going to be the BEST kind of parents. I know this. It's Love Thursday over at my place. And I've decided that this photograph is your submission -- what a beautiful shot. Happy Love Thursday, friend. May your new family be filled with love. K. Posted by: Chookooloonks at August 24, 2006 12:51 PMMy boyfriend and I always talk about that. Our sense of humor can be less-than-appropriate at times, and we have visions of our children being less-than-appropriate at horridly innappropriate times. Oh well! You two will be fabulous parents! Posted by: amy at August 24, 2006 12:46 PMI want to be that kind of mother. ;) Posted by: Amy at August 24, 2006 11:11 AM |