I am thankful that my children
grew up to be good adults.
Wally and Theo were not easy children to raise. They were very active and always challenging the boundaries of their world both physically and mentally. The school had us on speed dial. The call would always start with something that they did that interrupted the flow of the classroom and end with that they were nice kids, trying soften the blow, I guess. Some teachers loved them because of the interesting way they approached problems and intellectual depth they brought to discussions and others didn't because of the way they approached problems and the intellectual depth they brought to discussions (too distracting for the teacher and other kids). None liked the extra activity they brought to the environment.
At home, they were very busy and it was nearly impossible to childproof the house. They were very stubborn about things they didn't want to do. They slept little and had a whole night life that we found evidence of the next morning. That worried us a lot, but we had to sleep sometime. Every time I got into a discussion with them, they led me down a path with careful questioning that I never saw coming.Every child tries their parents. A lot. But others told us they couldn't believe the challenges these boys brought. So I surmised that our kids were more challenging than most.
Ward and I were exhausted for many years while trying to parent these boys. But eventually they grew up. Now both of them are kind, responsible, hardworking, calm adults. Something I wouldn't have believed possible during of their childhood years.
So for my children who matured into good adults, I am thankful.
Very cute, wish you would have showed your face.
ReplyDeleteI don't show any current faces here or on Facebook. The only face you will see, I have had permission to use. It probably doesn't make any difference, but it was recommended I do that for security reasons.
DeleteI know that your boys are nice young men by the things you say about them all year long--they are helpful and kind and very intelligent. It's nice that you made a special post honoring them.
ReplyDeleteI say it to them all the time, "Thank you for growing up," especially when I see a child who is very active, or throwing a tantrum, or just being difficult to control. It makes me very thankful that we made it past those stages to the other side.
DeleteThank you. Two more good people in the world is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteGood point. When I think beyond myself and surviving their childhood, two more good people in the world is a good thing.
DeleteI am glad you survived their childhood and, if they grew to be good, kind, responsible adults, I'm sure it is at least partly due to their upbringing by good, kind, caring parents, who enabled them to thrive. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bless. I'd like to believe that we had something to do with them maturing into good adults. And we remained sane while doing it. That's an accomplishment in itself. :)
DeleteI think you have to have a family of sons to understand your post. All three of mine are very kind and loving adults in spite of "spirited" childhoods.
ReplyDelete"Spirited" is a good word. I grew up in a family of four girls, so this boy thing often perplexed me. My husband would have to translate boy behavior for me sometimes. A common phrase would be, "We don't have to accept this behavior, but it is totally normal for boys."
DeleteFrom the little I've read about them, you do indeed have three very kind and loving adult sons. Congrats on a job well done.
Congratulations to you and your guy for raising those little wild boys into great adults.
ReplyDeleteWild boys into good adults. Sometimes I consider it a miracle.
DeleteAmen to that! (and no surprise considering the parents!)
ReplyDeleteI think you have a couple of great young adult girls yourself. We should all be happy, parents and kids, that we survived their childhood.
Delete