Things I said I'd never

So before I became a mom and for a few years after having two baby girls, I had a list of "things I'd never" say or do when it came to my kids. It's funny how with time and with more experience, some of those things on the list were quickly scraped off. I'm not proud that I caved on some things, but I've also learned to pick my battles and not to dwell on the guilt of feeling like a lame parent. For instance:

I said I'd never let my kids eat anything but clear foods and liquids in the car. Now I have a truck with ketchup smears and chocolate ice cream stains. In fact just last week we discovered a baggie full of moldy orange peels! So much for that "never."

I said I'd never let my kids drink Mountain Dew and eat tons of candy. With enough badgering from them and the pure exhaustion that overwhelms me by the end of a week, causes me to fold. I still have the thought their teeth will rot plumb out of their head, but hey, least they're quiet for a few precious minutes ... and smiling.

I also said I'd never go without my kids having plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to eat in our house. These days, when the thought hits me that we hadn't eating anything green in a week and a half, I quickly pop open a can of peas and serve them with spaghetti that night at dinner, telling myself, "Tomorrow I'm definitely making a trip to the store for veggies!"

I said I'd never let my kids stay up late. Sleep was too beneficial to growing children and by golly, I would stick to that even through their teenage years. Well, a few road trips to basketball games here and there and my poor kids were forced to be up till midnight or 1 a.m. I justify it by saying they're older, but that's no excuse for my 6-year-old.

I said I'd never let my kids watch unhealthy shows or listen to inappropriate songs. Well, now Honey Boo Boo and Dance Moms are my daughters' favorite shows, both of which couldn't be rotting their brain cells anymore, revealing a side of society that I wish they didn't know existed.

And as far as songs go, the girls can all be singing along to the radio, when it finally hits me what the song, that they clearly know all the words to, is actually about. And it's not about innocent puppy love.

I said I'd never let my kids just put on whatever for clothes or shoes and that MY girls were going to wear nice outfits and be presentable, including their hair. Well, if that "never" item quickly got dissed. I learned a long time ago that battles with girls over clothes have to have a strategy and executed wisely. Most of the time anymore, as long as they dressed, somewhat matching, and no holes, I let it go. As far as hair, I only make a fuss if their hair is beyond dreadful. If it's at least brushed but not curled, then so be it.

I said I'd never let my girls have bad manners, like belching at the table or passing gas around others. Well, something happened over the years and although I continue to get after them for doing it, they still find it hilarious to surprise us with either. I thought that was just expected from boys, not girls.

Anyways, there are several more "I said I'd never's," and probably more that will drop off my list as the years go on but I guess that's just part of parenting and part of learning. I said they'd never date till they were 16 and I mean that!

We'll see how that goes here in a few more years.