This was our first non-relative sleepover. I didn't know how the kids would get along or if our parenting styles would be compatible, but we made it work.
For the first time in a long time, I didn't cater to my children's needs. My friend and I streamed music through Pandora on my smart tv. We found an old song that we used to always dance to and taught our kids the dance to it. (Strikes disco pose*Give me love, give me liberty disco*.... After that, we put on Nsync radio. Our kids didn't complain. They enjoyed having the music in the background as they did what kids do best- played.
My friend and I stayed up to almost 4AM before we agreed it was best to get some sleep since we had to make sure the kids survived another day. I mean, someone had to feed them and make sure the house didn't burn down.
We had a lot of fun and even made our terrible pancakes as was our tradition growing up. Terrible pancakes require that you add all of the yummy junk that you like and eat them as is. Some had chocolate chips, others had butterscotch chips, some coconut, and one even had a piece of pepperoni baked into it.
Why do we as parents always put our lives on hold for the kids? We aren't doing them any favors by always letting them do what they want while never doing things for ourselves. If it's one thing I've learned, it's ok to do things you want. It's ok to listen to your music, to put on your favorite movie because the kids can play. The kids will survive.
What have you done for yourself lately?
Wow that's amazing! Great job, Nin. You'll realize at some point that you'll always make mistakes as a parent, but as long as you do the best you can, and forgive yourself when your not perfect, which you won't be, and just love them with all your heart; you'll do just fine and your kids will grow up still loving you, and will probably raise their children the same way you raised them.
ReplyDeleteI miss being called Nin!
ReplyDeleteFair point! We try to do our thing, but baby boy and girl are a bit too small still. Glad you had fun with L. O. :)
ReplyDeleteWe do more censoring. We usually do our own thing once the kids are asleep, but by then, I'm usually too tired to stay awake.
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