* the house was a big mess (as if a group of kids would even notice before adding to the mess),
* I would probably still be in my jammies, which means no bra,
* the schedule was too packed,
* it would interfere with dinner,
* homework and music wouldn't get done
Now I say, "pish posh, come on over". Not that the house is clean or the schedule is any less busy but I do try to be dressed for teenage company, aka: wearing a bra. Most nights the extra kids end up staying for dinner and now and then my kids don't get their music practiced and are up until late doing homework. The wonderful trade off is that I know where my kids are, what they are doing, and who they are hanging out with. And though it has put a bit of a dent in the food budget around here, the freezer is stocked with frozen quickies approved by the teens which draws them here even more. LeRoy and I are in agreement that it is a small price to pay to know the who, what and where answers. I have had to get used to the sound of 3 electric guitars "practicing" in the basement but the laughs that come with it are worth it!
For a while we were having complaints from our kids that our family is boring and no one would want to come over because we don't have a trampoline or the latest video games (or any video games for that matter). A trampoline is in the future plans but we are glad that we stuck to our original feelings about not having video games because the kids are doing so many creative, imagination things instead of sitting in front of a screen.
Derek, Justin and their friends have had strategic battles in the backyard, bruised up their shins playing soccer, played string instruments for fun, built iron man costumes out of boxes, spray paint and lights and spent hours playing "real" monopoly in our basement. Levi and his homies usually have practice here but they also enjoy pool, foosball, handstand contests and teasing Nathan (which he loves). Erika and her friends are usually gawking at the boys, taking walks around the neighborhood to be visible to the boys, looking at boys in magazines and talk, talk, talking about boys.
Our home is only quiet from midnight to 6am.
Here is a typical view of my entry way. Only one pair of those shoes actually belong to feet that live here.
4 comments:
Friends over is AWESOME. You guys are very cool for making for home into a teenage refuge center...with snacks. Very important piece of any teens diet!
I was going to take a picture of all the shoes by the front door last sat. but forgot. It was so fun to see so many different people represented.
I actually got choked up seeing the shoes. Visual reminder of the haven you create for not only your kids but those around you.
You're attitude towards everything is just how I remember Mom. 'Dishes will wait but kids won't.' The perfect listener and just being there were paramount in our lives and raising your kids with that same blessing proves the validity of something that works whether your kids are 7 or 17.
I hope to emulate you in this as well as in many other things. Thanks for your great example of a tried and true practices of parenting.
I loved your blog Kimber. It's definitely better to know who, what, and where when their at your house than at others. :)Keep up the great blogging and photos, your blog is never boring just like your life!
Post a Comment