That Kind of Parent - Wear it Proudly

Today I have come to the realization that I AM "that kind of parent." And I'm proud to say it!!

Before having kids, I remember seeing families in stores and when the little one acted up, they would get a toy, cookie or some type of "reward". I vowed that I would NEVER be that kind of parent. (Ha! Who was I kidding.)

However, upon having a little man of my own, and now knowing the "true parent secret" behind giving in a bit here and there (Yes, Survival - it will make you do the darndest things), I proudly admit - I am a supporter. Some people may try to hide this badge or do it silently or out of the public light, but I will proudly say that there are times when you just have to give a little to get a lot. Now, I'm not saying to give little Johnny a candy bar or a huge new toy, but if letting him having a bite of a bananna (which is on your list and which you are buying already) does the trick, then go for it!

What I didn't realize before being a parent is that there are many daily battles. Battles to get little ones on the potty (and then to use it), to get them dressed (preferably in clothes - though a Wonder Pets PJ shirt is OK frome time to time), eating some breakfast (without feeding it to the dog or getting mad and throwing it on the floor - where the dog eats it - not like this has ever happened to us before), etc. With that said, the battles are much, much less than all of the wonderful time where they are beyond flexible for being carted around to stores - when let's face it, they would prefer being at home playing with their toys. If we ask them to "give a little" and haul them with us, then what is wrong with giving them a little when they need it?

Not Ready to Let the Holidays Go ...

The holidays have come to a close and last night it dawned on me that we are the ONLY house on our street that still has its Christmas lights on and trees up. I believe there are three types of people out there - A) people who take decorations down right after the holidays, B) people who let decorations linger a bit and C) people who just don't decorate.

Beyond the arctic weather, that I can surely use as an excuse, I have come to the realization that I am just not ready to say goodbye to the holidays!

I am not ready to accept the reality of no more time off, no more Christmas cookies (second thought, maybe I can give them up. Pants are feeling a little snug), idea of giving, seeing Christmas lights through the snow, counting the Christmas trees with my son as we drive home, - and accept the realization that it is going to be a long, cold and snowy winter.

I love the spirit that Christmas and the holidays bring. The sense of anticipation, excitement (even with all of the craziness of plans, visiting relatives and everything) makes me feel like a kid again. And seeing my little man, who for the first time really seemed to understand Christmas (he says "Ho, "Ho" - I still don't know where the other "Ho" went, calls everything a present - even after it's opened) I just don't want to let it all go. Not to mention that I am NOT a fan of taking decorations down.

So, I'm thinking that we may have to rethink this "Christmas is over" thing after all - just like we did twice before. You see, some folks go for World Records, but as for my family we go for records on seeing how long we can leave the decorations up. And if you are sensing from my note that we have experience here, you are right.

A few years ago, we did our first, "boycott the end of Christmas/don't feel like taking the lights down" experiment. It was January, when most respectful people have long taken down their decorations that we decided to leave the lights on the house and the tree up. We felt empowered!! Who said that Christmas had to end and that we had to put everything away on somebody else’s terms. No way. Not this year.

February arrived and we decided to decorate the tree, or what had become our house plant, in Valentine decorations. What a great red glow! When March rolled around we hardly noticed the tree was still up, if it had not been for comments from family and friends. On April 1, we decided to take the outside lights down. Our neighbor thought it was the best “April Fools” joke he had seen in years. But – we still kept the tree up. When May and the Indy 500 race rolled around, we decided to succumb and to take the tree down. I must say, that for the first time ever, we actually enjoyed ourselves.

OK, while I was glad that the tree was finally down (and we had our family room back), it felt good to somehow close the holidays on our terms. I don’t know if we will go for a repeat, but we sure enjoyed the conversation that our Christmas house plant brought through the months.

We didn't stop there... A few years later, we moved into a new house and put up a tree in the Living Room. When the holidays passed, the tree stayed up - lights and all. We then felt the need to break our own record of May. So, there the tree stood. We even turned it on when people were coming over so they could pick out our house from others in the neighborhood. I remember when my in-laws were visiting, we informed them that our house was the one with the Christmas tree! Did I mention that they were visiting in July?! We ended up keeping the tree up for the entire year. I don't know if that accomplishment will get us any awards (or maybe just strange looks), but it was fun.

While I don't think we will go for a repeat of living the tree and lights up all year, I think that leaving them up for the rest of the month will do.

So, which person are you? Did this post drive you crazy (if so you are person A)? Are you ready to put the lights away or are you like me and want to hold onto the holidays for a little while longer?