Monday, April 15, 2013

Game Changers

Having Rhett was probably my biggest life-changing moment so far. Sure, being born, graduating from college, getting married, moving across the country (multiple times) were big moments, but none changed my life like having kids. And now that we have the two boys, I've noticed that there are big "game changers" within parenting. Here they are:

1. The boys walk. All of a sudden, my previously-immobile boys are mobile. I had to totally change the way I watched them. No more laying on their backs while I checked the bank statement online (or while I checked Pinterest, don't judge me).
2. The boys talk. Communication! The boys can tell me what they want/need. (Angels singing the Hallelujah chorus.) Sure, sometimes I don't want to hear what they have to say, and sometimes they won't stop talking, but I'd rather this than the incoherent baby babble.
3. The boys potty train. No more diapers. Need I say more?

The next have yet to be experienced by me, but I can only imagine the changes they'll bring about.
4. The boys read. No more spelling of "secret" things between Chuck and me! The boys can read to themselves. One boy can read to the other boy!
5. The boys start school. Obviously this is huge. I'm sure that in about five months I'll be able to speak more on this, but I have to imagine it's huge, right?
6. The boys drive. They can go places without me. Even worse, they can get in accidents without me. They can ruin big, expensive machinery without me.

After this, they're pretty much "adults" even though they'll always be my boys. Experienced parents, am I missing something? Were there other big game changers for you?

And a picture of a cute little guy just for fun...Can you believe we had a 90-degree day and I didn't complain too much? I'm positive it was because the humidity was low and I knew the heat wasn't going to last, but I still gave myself a pat on the back.

9 comments:

  1. adorable picture! where was it taken?

    what? ollie is potty-trained?!

    yes, having kids was the biggest life-changing event for me, too. Reading and schooling are such fun experiences for kids and parents, I think. No idea about driving, though. Gag.

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    1. haha NO. no way is ollie potty trained. the pic was at some gardens (which are much more than gardens) near our house. we took an ollie-led "hike."

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  2. What about being able to leave them alone without a babysitter!!! That one is a BIG game changer in my book! Oh, and my favorite all time movie is "Sleepless in Seattle" as well. We'll have to quote it sometime on our runs:)

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    1. Oooh, that IS a big one! I cannot wait for that day.

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  3. Speaking as a non experienced parent I would imagine a mission would be a game changer for you and the boys for different reasons. Yes they will be adults by then yet they will always be your children.

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  4. You had me thinking Ollie was almost potty trained. Nearly fell off my couch.

    Yes, I agree with Sharon. Looking forward to when Marc and I can leave the kids, just them. Awesome.

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  5. For me I think a game-changer will be when I have to start "censoring" myself in front of my kids...I imagine you're already at this point, Erin. Right now Brady and I never think twice about what subjects we talk about at the dinner table, etc...although occasionally Henry will surprise us by asking "What's (whatever we're talking about), Mommy?" One of these days he's going to understand too much and I'm sure it will get me in trouble somehow!

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    1. Oh yes, we are definitely finding this now. We can't talk about anything PG-13 at all because he knows and understands so much, but at the same time, he doesn't. It's hard!

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  6. My cousin and I just had a conversation about school (2 of her 4 are in school full time) and she said how much she LOVES it. So I'm pretty pumped for mine to be in kindergarten this next year, I think it will be lovely and yes, a huge game changer.

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