Top 10 Things Parents Need to Know

I asked my youngest son, who is ten, what were 10 things he thought parents need to know about their kids - especially his parents. His responses were pretty amazing and insightful for a 10 year old. I thought I'd share some of them with you today.

1. Need to know their names. I guess this is a natural response from my son as I can't keep my three kids' names straight! "Whoever you are, come here right this instant!"
2. What they eat. Seems simple right? Do you know what your kids eat? What their favorite foods are? Mac & Cheese all the way, baby!
3. What they are watching on TV. Wow, out of the mouths of babes! What are our children watching? What are their favorite shows? Is it appropriate? Does it compromise God's teachings?
4. What they are learning. Wow, again!
5. What they like to play. Do you know what each of your children like to play? Do you ever play their favorite game with them? I think I do, maybe, hmmm...
6. Where they like to go on vacation. My youngest is the easiest to please - just a hotel with a pool, thank you very much!
7. What kind of difficulties they are having. This one took me by surprise. How true! We parents do need to ask our kids how things in their lives are going. We need to go beyond the basic, "How was your day?" question without sounding like we are super secret agents attempting to probe top secret information out of them.
8. Who their friends are. Wow, again!
9. What they are doing.

AND THE #10 THING PARENTS NEED TO KNOW IS...

10. RULES for HUGGING! My youngest sat me down on a bench in Wal Mart one day last summer to give me the "Rules for Hugging for Parents"
- No hugging, holding hands, or kissing on cheek in public.
- No calling him baby, sweetie, or other embarrassing name in public.
- None of the above may happen especially in the presence of teenage brother.
- Hugging, kissing on cheek, holding hands is only allowed at home if older siblings are not in viewing distance.

I guess I've been told!

Grace and Peace, Cathy