Normally, if you see me writing about children, it’ll be me being a curmudgeon, and writing about how children today just flat out suck. Except for your child. Obviously, your child doesn’t count in that statement … *rolling eyes*
But every now and then, a parent does, in my estimation, a great job. (Of course, any of you parents that don’t wrap your kids in a sack and drop them in a lake are actually pretty heroic in my eyes.) Today, I want to honor my friend Corey on how she is raising her son, Ian.
Now, Corey and I have known each other since college, been drunk in many a basement together, and know each other very well. Before I first moved to Florida, Corey threatened to chain me up in her closet to keep me from moving. When I was miserable in Florida, she offered me a couch in her home in Jersey. She’s an awesome friend.
So, she’s recently sent out a couple e-mails that made me howl laughing … here’s a couple excerpts.
Ian’s class made little construction paper presents that are hanging so adorably in the window of their classroom. Ian’s name is on the bow and the tag says, “To Mommy & Jimo” … unmistakably his 🙂 The little paper flaps are folded in to the middle like doors. When you open it the kids all wrote something inside that they want to give their parents for Christmas. I dropped off Ian this morning and he was SO excited they were hanging up and told me to make sure that I saw his on the way out. So I signed him in, went to the window and opened the little doors. Inside, in big, wobbly letters it said, “BEER FESTIVAL.“You know your mom better than what she thinks.
OH MY GOD!!! My jaw hit the floor. That child has never even seen me drink a beer in his life. Had I known this would one day be happening I’d have just cracked one open anytime I wanted! So, his teacher must have seen my eyes bugged out and my jaw hanging open so she came to the door with tears in her eyes starting to laugh! I wanted to die. She said they asked him 3 times if he was SURE he wanted to write that and every time Ian said, “YES! They’re gonna LOVE it!!!” We both just cracked up laughing and I explained that we had gone to a beer festival back in October and he got to stay with my parents for the weekend. Right now he can go stay there permanently! Hahahaha!
And then, the other day, I got this in an e-mail:
Hello, Fellow Steelers Fans 🙂 Yesterday the sign on Ian’s kindergarten classroom door said, “Friday is Spirit Day! Come to school in your favorite Eagles shirt or wear your green! Fly, Eagles, Fly!” That’s just not happening and he complained all night and all morning about it. So, THIS is how he went to school today instead 🙂
Hot damn, raised RIGHT.
I am also enjoying watching my son learn to read. On the way to school this morning we passed the TD Bank and there was a huge “GO EAGLES!” banner hanging across the front of their building. Ian said, “You know what, Mommy? That sign should say Boo Eagles, not Go Eagles!” Keep reading, Son! It’s fundamental!
So Corey, keep up the good work.You’ve taught your child 2 valuable lessons — that beer is always a great gift, and to wear your black-and-gold with pride, no matter where you live. The world needs more parents like you.
Sheep the Moon 