I'm done with the pull-ups. We are going real underwear or nakedness and that's it. Why the big push? Am I fed up with ripping off wet pull-ups, dragging extra ones around in the car/store/back pack? Not really. No, I want the money. I have ideas. The pull-ups have got to go. Now, you may question my causing uncomfortableness and anxiety for the children just so I can have something I want BUT let me tell you a quick little story from my childhood.
When I was in high school we moved. Not far, just down the street. Since it was so close packing and moving occurred over a week or so and some things were just tossed in the suburban, driven a block away, and unloaded. During this move my Mom lost a very nice stash of cash. She likes to stash cash, my Mother. Stash it away and then pull it out for surprises or other things. She had her money in a ordinary white envelope and somehow it got lost in the shuffle of papers. For a couple years she periodically went down in the basement and spent a few hours going through boxes and filing cabinets looking for her moula but never found it. So, one fine day she was sitting at the kitchen table writing a letter to my brother serving a mission. She sent my younger brother Phil down to the basement to fetch an envelope for her to put the letter in and . . . (choir of angels) what does Phil come up with but a nice fat envelope full of CASH! We all did a little dance around the kitchen! It turns out that all of us children needed new shoes. That makes us sound a little like street urchins. Our parents did take good care of us but by circumstance, we had all worn out our shoes at the same time. Mom holds up the envelope like the olympic torch and tells everyone to head to the car, "We're going to buy new shoes!" The kids spill out of the house, across the driveway, and as one of the boys is midway through his launch into the suburban Mom hollers, "Wait!" I was on the steps, she was just behind me on the porch. I see myself now in dramatic slow motion turning to look at her. She had "Hmmm, better idea," twinkling behind her eyes. "Emily, get the kids in the house, I'll be back in a minute." So, we dragged our pour dirty feet back in the house and waited. Before too long Mom showed back up again with a pleasant smile on her face and something very shiny and sparkly sitting on her finger. Sorry kids, put some duck tape over that sneaker toe and you'll be fine. Now, you may think I was a bit disgruntled about my new shoes being traded in for a nice shiny stone but I got over it and in retrospect am pleased with my mothers decision. I am the oldest girl you know. She was looking out for me in the long run and we all know where that diamond is going to end up, don't we Laura. I must add, several years ago I started to bring this up on a family vacation but after a knife like look from my Mom quickly shut up. Turns out Dad never really new about that whole story. He could tell I had something to say and tried to pry it out of me but I laughed and told him I don't bite the hand that feeds me. Needless to say, for the few of you who know my father--mum's the word.
So, I've been taught well. And sooner or later Will is going to have to learn about long term gains. He'll thank me eventually, or at least his daughter will.
6 comments:
a) uh-oh, Emily. Does your dad read the blog?
b) LOVE this story. Yay, your mom! Those shoes would be long gone by now, right?
c) what are your plans for this cash windfall from not buying pull-ups? something shiny, too? Do tell!
That is a great story. And I guess the cat is out of the bag though so no secrets from your dad anymore.
Do post about this new toy you buy for yourself.
I am with you on the pull ups. once the box is gone, we are done. Hopefully they last a long time cause I am not ready to do the nighttime thing.
Hee, hee. This story has always made me laugh. I can just picture your mom, mid-thought, rethinking the whole shoe thing. As I mother, my hat is off to her.
What are you going to buy? Pull-ups are expensive. Won't be long and you'll have some moula of your own!
I have never, NEVER, understood the concept of the pullups. Yes, I'm old and yes, those things didn't exist when i was a child nor when I had my 5. But I can't understand the brain dead concept of putting your sweet child in something that feels exactly like a diaper and expect them to figure out NOT to "go" in them. Put them in regular underwear and they'll catch on a lot faster....especially if you do it from the get-go. good luck.
Pull-ups...what a hairbrained idea to make parents fork out more money, have less for their own budgets or needs, and allowing children to not learn what's expected of them.
Personally, I'd go buy a ring with color...Not big on diamonds at all. but oh, that ring I want is still in the jeweler's at Playhouse Square. I want that ring!
Ah, I like this story. No one appreciates a huge rock as much as I do and your mom's is beautiful. I covet it each time she wears it. It was good to hear the story behind it.
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