While channel surfing last night, we stumbled across a show called "Kids By the Dozen." Featured last night was a ridiculously wholesome family from Minnesota with SIXTEEN kids, ranging from about 27 to about 4. The kids were polite, well-behaved, helpful. There was no yelling (by the parents, that is). Quotes included one from an 18ish boy, "The thing I miss most about being away from home is playing with my younger brothers and sisters." Oh, and of course, they homeschool them, too.
Wow. We were feeling pretty down on our parenting skills, since managing TWO does not come easily on many days. Why are we such slackers, complaining about how busy we are, yelling at the kids, etc.? Man, we stink!
The show ended and, egos in the toilet, we resumed surfing. And there, just in the nick of time, was SuperNanny featuring a totally out-of-control family with wild, disrespectful, obnoxious children -- who didn't get that way by themselves, thankyouverymuch. Suddenly, we felt like Parenting Hall of Famers, with polite, well-behaved, helpful children and (comparatively) no yelling.
Our confidence restored, we were able to go to bed secure in the knowledge that, on balance, we're doing a pretty damn fine job. Thanks, SuperNanny. Oh, and kudos to you huge, wholesome family. I sure couldn't do what you do.
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