What I have learned as a parent

Tomorrow my oldest child will be turning 12 years old. Good grief!! Where did the time go? It sounds like a cliche, but it really seems like he was born yesterday. With the birth of my son, the hardest job that I will ever have began. Bringing a human being into the world and than raising that human to be become a moral person takes a lot of work, patience and stamina. Here is a list of the things I have learned in the last 12 years.

1. Never count on getting a good night's sleep, especially during cold and flu season.

2. Don't make promises, when in doubt say no, maybe or we will see. It has been years since I have given a firm yes to anything.

3. When buying tickets to an event, plan on not attending due to stomach flu. We have thrown away more money than I want to count due to vomiting.

4. Accept that your house will never be perfectly clean again, or at least until the youngest moves out. I am still finding baby paraphernalia in odd places. My youngest is 7.

5. Give birthday parties. They are fun, they are memorable and they tell your child that each year they have one day all their own.

6. Take a lot of pictures!

7. Your child will never, ever pick up his/her clothing without being asked, coaxed or threatened. It is a fact of life.

8. Do not be a helicopter parent. Teachers hate it and you loose credibility with them.

9. Be frugal in all areas except when it comes to books. Kids can never have enough books. I have raised 3 book worms, I credit that to letting them have their rooms full of books.

10. Allow at least 3 pajama days a year. There is nothing better than staying in your pajamas on a really cold and snowy day. Of course one parent (usually dad) has to get dressed to plow the snow.

11. Know when you kid needs a mental health day from school. Don't ask questions and let that child veg out for the day. Insist on returning to school the next day. Even kids need a day off.

12. Your children will never offer to empty the dishwasher

13. Your car will become a garbage dump filled with sucker sticks, juice box straws and cookie wrappers.

14. The pre teen years are harder than the toddler years. Not because they are more labor intensive but because your child has opinions and for some reason, no fear of communicating those opinions.

15. Tell your children you love them daily.

This list could have gone on and on. But thought 15 was good number stop at. So, did I miss anything of great importance? I would bet that I did. If you are visiting, please let me know what you have learned as a parent.