Having kids again in the house has forced me to relearn many lessons I had let slip to the back of my mind. I have also gotten to learn new ones along the way.
I have found out that bubble gum will not come out of Velcro.
I have been reminded that “I have to throw up!” is not a warning but an announcement. Once that is uttered you will not have enough time to pull the car over to the side of the road or get out of the way.
I now have rediscovered that grandma kisses are just as magical in fixing boo-boos as a mother’s are. This even applies to a tough little five year old boy at Junior Jazz practice when he fell down and his own mom wasn’t there to fix him.
I was reminded that it can be very dangerous to say, “Yeah sure.” when you aren’t really listening, but watching the news instead. It’s amazing how many bubbles a half full bottle of shampoo can produce in a tub of water.
I also remember it’s too hard to be mad when I did say okay and I’m looking at two heads poking out of all the suds wearing bubble beards and asking ” Do we look like grandpa?”
It didn’t take me too long to recall that when a child walks by you very fast while making eye contact the entire time, they are trying to sneak something past you. It takes them years before they understand how you know this.
Water is a magnet beyond any child’s self control. If there is water there will be wet kids and dogs. And of course, one can never forget that mud is magical and any child can find some even in the driest of days.
Also the same kid who could not hear you when you reminded them to take out the garbage when you were standing right next to them will be able to hear the potato chip bag opening when they are three rooms away with the TV on and come running to ask for some.
And despite the fact they might tell you that you embarrass them by cheering too loud at the soccer game, the minute you start chatting with another parent on the sideline they will notice and run by to ask if you saw them kick the ball.
I also remember that even though Barbie is unrealistically skinny, she does not look good naked even though most of the Barbies we have end up that way.
There are an awful lot of us in our second stint at parenting. Every day I run into someone else who is raising or helping raise their grandkids.
It is a nationwide phenomena that is garnering national media attention.
We are changing the way we expected to spend our futures, but it has its own rewards as well. If you are in this situation, make sure you have good support and help.
And whatever you do, avoid getting bubble gun in Velcro.
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