Today's Tendril...

What parents already know about children:

• They are to be cherished
• They are challenges, and, all too soon, they challenge
• There are always chores

© Copyright 2012 Christopher V. DeRobertis. All rights reserved.

Quotes of the Day - Easter Sunday 2009

I always feel a bit eggistential this time of year.

To find your Easter baskets follow the rabbit droppings.

How does the Easter Bunny get into the house? Well, let's just say he's well versed in the fine arts of lock picking and tip-toeing.

Those are chocolate coins. They're good for one visit to the dentist.

What does the Easter Bunny have to do with God? Good question. Let's write to Santa and ask him.

Now kids, always remember to hide your lucky rabbit's foot on Easter eve.

These large chocolate Easter carrots look particularly phallic, which is probably the result of some marketeer's subliminal Spring fertility brainstorm campaign.

OK, which sadist decided it would be fun to hide camouflaged-colored eggs on a green lawn that's heavily peppered with brown leaves?

 

About

These all came from my mouth on Easter Sunday, 2009, primarily to entertain my wife, though the rest of the family seemed to enjoy them, too.

A little levity on an otherwise deeply reflective spiritual day.

© Copyright 2009 Christopher V. DeRobertis. All rights reserved.

How I Feel as a Parent

 

About

One of the greatest things about being a parent is this: knowing that your child or children see you as a kind of superhero.

© Copyright 2009 Christopher V. DeRobertis. All rights reserved.

Out of the Mouth of a Knave

Parenting is all at once a joy, a challenge, a marathon, a sprint, a smile, a tear, a satisfaction, and far too many moments of, "I can't believe I just said that!"

Here are some of my more stellar, "I can't believe that just came out of my mouth," gems.

Sadly, this is not an exhaustive list.

1. Just because you didn't get your way doesn't mean you walk away.
   
2. Before you scream and shout, take a breath and work it out.
   
3. Don't lick that!
   
4. Just because it's the weekend doesn't mean you get to stay up all night.
   
5. Coming to the dinner table is a lot like going to a restaurant: No shirt, no socks – no service.
   
6. Seriously, what were you thinking?
   
7. These are your choices for a snack: A banana, a banana, or a banana. Pick one.
   
8. Mommy and Daddy cannot watch another episode of Blue Clues.
   
9. You'll beat me at this game when you win.
   
10. The couch is not a trampoline.
    
11. Get the drumstick out of your nose. You'll get boogers on the drum head.
    
12. How many times do I have to tell you this? Don't—step—on—the—dog.
    
13. Where are your pants?!?
    

© Copyright 2009 Christopher V. DeRobertis. All rights reserved.

I Can and May

Can is a matter of capability.

May is a matter of permission.

No parent ever truly fails when capability is nurtured, encouraged, and taught, and cast in terms of permissibility and responsibility.

© Copyright 2009 Christopher V. DeRobertis. All rights reserved.