|
|
|
| VACATION - TEARS AND TITTERS | |
|
|
|
|
May 12, 1999 Christine A. Pasley, University Extension Educator I'm often impressed by the "literal-ness" of children. It brings to mind the family of five on a "long" vacation to California from the mid-west. The children, 14, 11 and 6 are in the back seat as the family made their usual decent from the mountain camp. Jenny, the small one, shares, "I have to potty". Dad, frustrated with this usual train of events responds, "We'll stop soon. Can you hold it." A reluctant "yes". Meanwhile, big sister Sis wiggles her fingers as if to tickle the small child--yet, not touching the little one--complete with sound effects. Giggling ensued from the back seat. Giggling--and then a gasp of horror--and then tears. The back floor was FLOODED. Dad quickly pulled over. The laughing, startled older sister began, "I didn't TOUCH her!" Yet the results were the same as... * * * Another literal-ity occurred as mom was on the phone, and not a portable phone. Preschool son, Devon, was around the corner working diligently at something on the hall wall. "Don't color on the wall!" "I'm not." Finally the phone call ended. Upon inspection, Devon was found to have been coloring...on the light switch plate! * * * Interesting how children have their own built-in time schedule. On a long trip, my own had to get out of the car every 1 1/2 hours or... one stepped on the other's seat belt (from the back seat) and the battle was on. It's up to mom or dad to keep track of the time schedule, however. Luckily, Nebraska has wonderful, regular rest areas to feed and exercise your young pups. You can even avoid melted candy and dried cheese between the seats! * * * What about the father who couldn't believe his kids always had to fight in the car. They had to have assigned seats. As he expounded on the fighting and the car rules, he was reminded that he would have remembered this aspect of families--if he hadn't been an only child!!! What an education--for him! * * * Have you forgotten how your own young children behaved now that you have that new set of grandchildren? Grandpa was babysitting with little preschooler, Devon. As Mom and Grandma pulled in from grocery shopping, they said, "Where's Devon?" "What?" said Grandpa. "You were supposed to watch him." Grandpa ran from one end of the lake-side neighborhood to the other looking for Devon, always concerned that he might have hiked down to the lake. Mom finally found her little boy busily eating honeysuckle berries from the nearby bush hedge. Grandpa became the child as Mom scolded, "Dad, you always told us, when we were kids, that honeysuckle berries were poisonous." Grandpa, as inconspicuously as possible, phoned poison control for information on the innocuous bush. The report was that honeysuckle berries were once thought to be toxic; more recently, they've been found not to be harmful, even somewhat nutritious. However, they have been known to cause cramping and diarrhea in some...yep, they did! Grandpa had forgotten the hassles and responsibilities of young parenthood. What a refresher course! * * * At one of my first county fairs as a young mother, I was visiting the livestock barns, wondering how the 4-H members could give up the animals they'd grown to love as pets. A small blond girl with a duck under her arm came up to me, "Want to buy a duck!!?" I had no idea what I'd do with a duck but, more than that, I was startled by her business-like attitude. Interesting how children model their parents. * * * Speaking of modeling parents, I was interested that one of my intermediate 4-H members (age 11-12) modeled, I believe, her grandmother. . . Rhonda was one of our top achieving 4-H members. Her projects regularly took purple or blue ribbons at both county and state fairs. She took her projects seriously. Her grandparents were her very skilled 4-H leaders. I came upon Rhonda at our 4-H Style Review, waiting to model for the judge. I said, "Nice outfit, Rhonda." Rhonda slowly looked down at her outfit and then back at me, "Yup!" she replied. Rhonda, like her Grandmother, calls 'em as she sees 'em. |
|
|
|
|
|
If you are interested in additional information, or would like to set up a Families Worldwide Chapter in your community, please feel free to contact us via e-mail. Families Worldwide |
|
|
|
Home