Annual Review
Annual Review
My husband is one of the only people I know – possibly the only person I know who has no complaints about his childhood and the way his parents raised him. None. I’m pretty sure his mother thinks I’m just trying to be nice when I tell her this. Like every other mom on the planet, she’s sure she did plenty wrong.
But I wonder if she takes me just seriously enough to be pleased. I know I would be thrilled.
I’m already sure I do plenty wrong. A bountiful plenty. If I could pinpoint exactly what I am doing wrong I’d be happy to fix it, but on any given day I have a different worry. I’m too strict. I’m too easygoing. I’m not consistent…or am I being flexible?
Some days things just go perfectly. At the end of a great day when we’re snuggled together talking before lights out he’ll hug me and say something both sweet and slightly disturbing like “I’ll still love you even when you die.” and I’ll think Yep, I’ve got it all sewn up.
Then I let myself picture a grown up Janie/Frieda/Suzie telling me how Robbie has no complaints about his childhood. None at all.
More likely I’ll be getting a detailed list of his complaints from his lawyer. Or his therapist. But a mother can dream, right?
Maybe there should be some kind of annual review process for parents and children. Just like at your office job. Your kids tell you (constructively) what they think of your parenting style and you tell them (respectfully) what they could be doing to make your job easier.
That way you don’t have to wait for the tell-all book to be published to find out exactly what kind of emotional scarring you inflicted by insisting they brush their teeth for the full two minutes.
Sharon Briggs
Seriously – Toby has NO complaints?!? That is just unbelievable. I thought everyone had a list of complaints about the way they were raised. I know my kids will have quite a list.
Holly
I think most people do have complaints. The best you might get from Toby is that he couldn’t get away with much. His mom was on the ball.
Ronda Rae
I have no complaints … on my mom’s parenting. My dad’s? Parenting? I don’t think he knows the meaning of the word.
I think this report card/review thing could be handy! Handy, yet also funny. Just imagine the silly things that would come out of Robbie’s mouth!
~RR
Sharon Briggs
Yeah, if you ever give this annual review thing a try – PLEASE video tape if for us. I’m sure it would be a riot to watch.
Holly
Oh well actually I get the “annual review” every day. Robbie’s always coming up with new ideas for house rules and ways we could improve our parenting. Just last night he said “Mom, I have an idea! How about….when I am getting in trouble…you count to four. Not three.”
He’d also like to eat nothing but cheese and chocolate, not have to pick up toys and have us wipe his bum for the rest of his life. Literally.