Day 234

If you've ever talked to a parent who has more than two children, or to someone who was the baby of multiple siblings, chances are they will tell you that they got away with a lot more than their elders. Just the other day my friend was telling me how she lets her younger son ride his bike much farther than she ever let his older brother. Many times a parent will tell you by the time the last kid rolls around, it just isn't worth the energy to get mad or upset about much...

One of the moms at football practice has three boys, the oldest of which is 11 years old. They are all three absolutely adorable, and I've spent many practices smiling as the youngest two run around the sidelines, being boy-crazy with either a football or stick in their hand (what is it about boys and sticks?!).

By the time practice was ending, it was probably dangerously close to the toddler's bedtime. And the youngest this particular evening was obviously cranky about it. I'm not sure how it started, but suddenly the whole sideline erupted into a cacophony of wails, translated by every parent as, "take me the hell home, feed me, and put me to bed for God's sake!"

Now, the parent with one child may have anxiously leaned over and tried to calm the child with coos and soothing pats on the back. The parent of two children may threaten with removal of Ninja Turtle toys if the crying doesn't stop.

But this mother of three would have none of that. She barely glanced in his direction until he stopped for a breath. Then she calmly looked over at him and asked, "Is that really all you've got? Because I know you can do better than that...".

That tripped him up, but only for a moment. The "look-at-poor-me-I-can't-believe-you're-ignoring me" noise started again.

Next breath-"You should really kick your legs or something son. Like this". She proceeded with a demonstration. "Your brother here is much better than you".

Another pause. This time the bellowing was quieter, and the noises came out more like questions than angry wails.

Still no reaction from mom. The other parents were trying not to giggle, for each if us knows the danger of showing attention- ANY kind of attention- to a toddler looking for somebody(anybody) to notice his obviously horrible predicament...

His cries slowed to whimpers, and eventually petered completely out. Mom never broke a sweat. 

It was awesome.

Today's pic celebrates parenting skills, some that are learned over time and from the old "try and fail" technique. Kudos to all of you that have more than one child and still have your hearing and sanity in check!