sucker parenting 101

I'm just gonna say it before anyone else does.

I'm weak.

I've been manipulated.

I'm a horrible parent.

I'm a sucker.....

I'll admit it flat out....I let my younger kids do things I never would have let my oldest kid do (sorry Nae).

Case in point.

Letting Mac go with a bunch of girls and paint her belly with a letter for the first football game.

I can see all my old friends back home shaking their heads right now. I'm sure they are thinking that we let the Chicago burb thing influence us....I don't know, but I'd like to try and explain....

Mac spent the last two weeks begging us to let her do this.

When she first asked her dad, I think his exact words were "over my dead body".

Mac is good.....BUT....she gets her skills from her daddy.

I think I've told you before that my hubby is an excellent arguer. After 19 years of marriage, I have given up on ever thinking I will win one against him. That is why he is such a good sales man and is so successful at his job.

Poor guy, never did he expect to pass off that gift to one of his offspring....especially his BABY girl!

So I just stepped back and let them go at it!

Hubby and I would lay in bed and I would quietly give my input, but during the day I stayed out of it.

It was actually quite humorous to watch them battle it out.

conversation #1

Mac: "Please daddy" (Dear Hubby and I learned a long time ago that when the girls want something bad they resort to calling him "daddy". We don't fall for it anymore....well, at least I don't...he still turns to mush) "everyone is doing it!"

Hubby: "Well, I guess you'll be the only one not doing it then."

end of conversation

conversation #22

Mac: "Please daddy....it's not like it's the worst thing in the world....I will cover up the rest of my body so you hardly will see any skin!"

Hubby: "You won't have to worry about covering anything up because you're not doing it!"

end of conversation

conversation #357

Mac: "Please daddy....I could be out doing other things like drinking, doing drugs, and having sex.....but I'm not! You have no idea what a good girl I am!"

Hubby: "Yes and you won't be doing this either!"

end of conversation

Obviously, Mac was victorious. Some people out there will say that Mac wins a lot. But you don't live with her and see our daily victories....and hopefully they are the important victories. And hopefully the battles we choose to let her "win" won't mess her up for life. We can only try and do the best we can do.

I told you this wasn't a "how to parent your teens" blog.

Pretty tastefully done, if belly painting can ever be called "tasteful".
Ha!

Thanks for checking in today. Have a great weekend!