Booster Seat Wisdom: Safety, Happiness, & a Little Torture
So, as usual, Alexander and Liam and I were having a lively conversation on the way to school the other morning. Liam reminded me of snow in Oregon and a tiny tornado that hit about three miles from our house at the time. He was 4–I wish I could remember these things–I barely remember the tornado–I need more ginko biloba!
Liam, who is obsessed with all things natural disaster, complained and asked why I didn’t take him to SEE said tornado. I thought for a second and said, “Well, because it wasn’t safe, and my job as a parent is to keep you safe…No wait, one of my jobs as a parent is to keep you as safe as I can without stifling you. My other two jobs are to make sure you become a good person who is thoughtful, kind and contributes to the world, and finally to make sure, to the best of my ability, that you have a happy childhood to tuck under your jacket when life gets cold as an adult.”
This last thought was one that has come to me a lot lately. I remember it as a paraphrase from the front of that book called “Julie,” by Catherine Marshall. I can’t find the quote anywhere-post it to me if you find it!
The boys considered this and I giggled. “So, how am I doing? Are you becoming good people?”
Boys: “Yes.” in unison.
Mom: “Are you happy?”
Boys: “Yes.” But Liam adds, “Except when you torture us, which is your other job.”
Mom: “Yes. I adore torturing you. But what I torture you with is just to help make you a good person!”
Mass giggles from the booster seats!
Mom: “Have I kept you safe?”
Liam: (Grinning in my rearview.” “Ummm. YES…but (in a slow, singsong voice), not to mention there haven’t been too many PERILS,” while rolling his eyes.
He’s got me there. We, unlike so many others, are fortunate to live in a fairly peril-free environment.
Guess I will have to find other jobs to fulfill as a parent.
What do you think the most important jobs are as a parent? I’m sure I missed 50. 🙂
Adventures in Boydom 