Sometimes Parents Need To Be Irresponsible
Posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
by Laura Trahan
Let's face it. We spend an insane amount of time trying to be the "perfect parent!" Sometimes, we need to just remember what it is like to be a kid.
It is those moments in life when we aren't trying to be the perfect parent, that memories are made.
My husband has this story that I hear at least once a year. I never get tired of it because his eyes light up like a kid at Christmas when he shares the story.
What was it? He checked him out of school, not because he was sick or had an appointment or any of the accepted excuses. He checked him out of school to go see a Houston Astros baseball game.
The great thing was that this game was the game that Mike Scott threw a no-hitter to clinch the division and send the team to the playoffs. For me, every time I get to picture my husband as a boy on Sept. 25 sitting and watching a game with his dad.
Here is the catch: his dad didn't know before hand how big a game that would end up being. However, even if the Astros lost, I am sure my husband would still tell that story with the same excited eyes about how he got checked out early to watch a game.
Today after much debate, I threw our plans for the day in the trash. I picked my son back up from school after his before school club. I kept my daughter home and i skipped Bible study.
Why? To make a memory!
Toby Mac was signing autographs at a store. We waited in line for over an hour to get two autographs and a fist pump from the star. By the time we made it to the front, they were not allowing photographs, but it didn't matter to my kids.
They were star struck and excited to meet the man that they jam in the car to every day. As I dropped my son off, I was informed that he would be counted absent for the day. Not one ounce of mom guilt came up.
I know when my son and daughter grows old and shares stories with their spouses, they are going to remember this day. My son won't remember what he missed in school, but he will remember standing in the cold with his sister and mom watching as the entrance got closer and closer.
The best memories are made when we aren't worried about doing what is "right," but spending time together and remembering the joys of childhood memories!
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)You did a great thing, Laura! We used to keep the kids home for "important" things also. We called them R & R days. When we'd call the school they made sure to tell us (especially as the kids got older) the teachers were not required to all make up work and anything else they thought would make us second guess our decision. We'd send them to school with a note the next day saying they had OUR permission to miss school. It was still unexcused. Sheesh! Who are the parents, anyway? Thanks for sharing your story.Thanks Lorrie for the support and comment! I agree that with the TAKS and all the other issues the school districts face, parents have lost a ton of rights! I will cherish this memory and I know my kids do as well!! I think I may put the R&R on my note tomorrow!!
That's a great story, Laura! You think us sneaking Zach into the Googleplex is good irresponsible parenting?HA Bruce!! He had a memory of a lifetime so I think that counts right?!! That was a night of memories for all of us!!!
I liked the story Laura and I agree with your parenting style. Creating fantastic memories for your children should be what life is about!Thanks Jennifer and thanks for becoming a fan!! I appreciate it a lot and you are so right in your comment!!
I don't think your actions were irresponsible - creative and fun and memory making for sure! Go Girl!
I knew it! You are a great mom! It isn't always the things you do in life you regret, it's the things you don't do. Good for you Laura! You did it, and your kids will never forget it.
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