I began to write this letter this summer for a writing contest to potentially be included in a book....the submission was due September 1... I returned to teaching on August 25 and then became hypercritical of my blogging and never submitted it.
This afternoon my son's behavior was abysmal. Actually, it still is as I type. I put myself in time out to post this. This letter is good and we need it right now- enjoy.
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| Sometimes we do have moments like this, I swear. |
A letter to my son:
Be kind and use your
manners. Say please, thank you and
excuse me when you do something gross. Hold
doors for women AND MEN. Holding doors
for men, if you are a man doesn’t make you gay, IT MAKES YOU POLITE!
And honey, if you are gay, that’s cool too. I am
pretty sure that men like to date polite
men who hold doors open and say excuse
me when they burp or fart. Speaking
of farting and anything else in your crotchal region….
…Please call your
genitals by their biologically correct names. I spent the first several years of your life
using the correct terminology for your body parts so you wouldn’t be referring
to them as your: sausage/weiner/pepe/twig and berries…. To me, slang for your penis and testicles sounds
stupid. Call your parts what they
are. I understand in middle school you
will probably call it “your junk”
because you will have to fit in with your friends. Fair enough. However, please, please, please, use the
correct terminology when asking questions of your parents or your medical
doctors. Speaking of professionals….
…Appreciate those who
work with you. Know their
names. If you suck at names, write them
down and hide them in your desk drawer.
It matters. Shoot the shit with
the everyone. Find out what you have in
common. Everyone is a cog in the same wheel.
Who do you think refills the toilet paper? Or makes sure your pencil
sharpener is working? Or will ask about your kids or how your day was? Who do
you think makes sure important emails get forwarded or deliveries are received?
People work together. Treat all
relationships with love and respect. Speaking of relationships and love…
….Love what you do
and If you don’t, try to find something you do love about it. I am a
middle school science teacher and at least once a day, I have an authentic
belly laugh. Side note, expecting that
your entire day, each day is going to be magical is bullshit. However, if you can practice finding something
happy about your day, they will feel happier because you actively try to tune
into the happy frequency. Life and love
and being a parent (especially your parent), is hard work and it’s worth it. Every second.
If it is not hard work, I hate to tell you, but your doing it wrong. When trying to be strong….
…Select a battle cry. This will make you more prepared to stick
with it when life and love becomes challenging ….Our families verse is:
Romans 12:9 ”Let love be genuine, hate what is evil and cling to what is
good.” Your father and I decided that
this bible verse would be our battle cry for our family before we were even
married, way before you arrived on the scene. Think about it long and
hard. Everyone needs a battle cry.
Choose one that is inspiring. Choose one that makes you feel hopeful in
good and bad situations. Choose one, stick to it, and love it. Do you love it enough to tattoo it on your
body? Yes? Then carry on and do so. Tell me after. Speaking of “clinging to what is good.”…
Watch out for your
sister. Cling to her. I thought you
were the wild one. I was wrong. Remember, she is your blood. Keep one ear open to listen to how her day
was. Tell her she is beautiful – (even
if her hair is a giant tuft of tangled curls).
Always try to make time for her, no matter how annoying she grows up to
be. She was your first human friend. If
she is acting like a huge pain in the ass, tackle her and tell her to get over
herself. Then call her, text her, snap
chat her or tweet her. Snuggle her if
she lets you…. But help us keep an eye on her, seriously, help us. That’s a whole other letter.
Love you. Cling cling cling!
