Mixed Messages I Give My Daughter
Don’t tell my daughter that I said this, but it is entirely possible that our communication difficulties do not stem from the fact that she does not listen well enough, but rather from the fact that I talk too much…
“You can talk to me about anything.”
Later…
“No, you can’t watch The Big Bang Theory.” Because they talk about sex, and then you might want to talk to me about something.
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“Yes, you must go to bed at 8:00. It’s important for you to get a good night’s sleep.”
Later…
“You better finish that homework; I don’t care if you have to stay up until midnight.”
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“You don’t need makeup. You look beautiful exactly as you are.”
Later…
“Would you please stay still for two seconds so I can glop your lashes with mascara?” (It turns out that in synchronized swimming, natural beauty is not quite enough.)
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“You should always take your time to do your best on your work.”
Later…
“Aren’t you finished, yet? Why on earth are you taking so long?”
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“Do not put personal information on the internet.”
Later…
“Do you mind if I blog about your most embarrassing moment?”
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“You shouldn’t base your decisions on what other people think.”
Later…
“You should be part of this special group because the Principal invited you, and that means she thinks very highly of you. Plus, she’s my boss.”
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“You should follow your passion.”
Later…
“Are you kidding?!! Do you have any idea how much horseback riding lessons cost?”
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“I really wish you would be more adventurous and try to eat different foods.”
Later…
“I don’t care if she’s one of your friends! When someone offers you a mysterious white substance from a Ziplock bag at lunch, YOU DO NOT ACCEPT!” (It turned out to be sea salt.)
Posted on March 3, 2013, in Blogging, Children, Dimples, Family, Humor, Parenting, Synchronized Swimming and tagged humor, just follow the spirit of the law because I'm not even sure what the letter of the law is, life, motherhood, parenthood, random. Bookmark the permalink. 25 Comments.
whatimeant2say 
Great article. You’re correct…Very poignant ! Parents do give mixed messages. And, you made me think… from my observations, and because we raised 2 boys, I decided parents tend to Push their kids, instead of LEADING them… but that’s a subject for another article.
It’s the same with teaching. Unfortunately, I am a poor example in both areas.
So true 🙂
And that’s only from one day!
I see nothing wrong here. Keep up the good work. 😉
Thank goodness. I was beginning to think I was way off track with the whole parenthood thing.
And the worst part is, everything you’ve said is absolutely right.
You should get a pair of buttons:
“Trust me, I’m a teacher” and “Question Authority”
(Yes, I stole that gag from Robert Fulghum.)
I didn’t know that was Robert Fulghum. I feel like I give my students those messages every day even though I try to encourage questioning of questionable authorities, which I obviously am not.
Raising your kids is so much easier after they move out. My daughter will actually listen to me now!
How long has it been? I’m almost 45 and still don’t listen to my mother. Mostly because she isn’t speaking to me, but still…
Poor Dimples!
Do you mean to say that you never give Ming mixed messages? I can’t even talk to my own self straight, much less my daughter.
No, I am a perfectly consistent mother (haha – what a joke!)
Vampire road trip: We came to visit you! Thank you for having us 🙂
http://flatlinerbooks.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/i-wanna-go/
ah..the trials and tribulations of being a mom to a pre-teen daughter! I had three…two being teenagers at the same time. My youngest daughter currently has the same problems..
At least some things never change….
Holy Hell. Two teenagers at the same time? That makes me feel a little better.
All those message make perfect sense to me. She should just do it because you said so. ….or not.
Those days are long ago, I’m afraid. Even I didn’t do what my mom said just because she said so.
i agree. with everything. and i’d like to add: “momma is always right, so just do it.” “we are doing it again because i screwed up the first time.” and also: “don’t believe everything your friends tell you.” “seriously? all of your friends said it was vomit and you picked it up anyway?”
Slight correction, ” We are doing it again because YOU screwed up the first time,” (even though it was me)
Hey, its just dont do as I do.. do as I say.. er.. right? LOL
“Do what I mean even if it’s not what I say, especially since I don’t listen to what I say anyway,” is probably more like it.
I love this! Hilariously true..
Very true … It`s indeed hard to be consistent, but not impossible 🙂
Man I am the queen of mixed messages, or at least that’s what Jason tells me. Dimples will still turn out just fine. 🙂