Fun Friday – Episodes in parenting: What do you do when kids say what’s on their minds?

Photo credit: mommyfixes.com

Whether you’re experiencing a parenting moment with your child or with someone else’s, kids seem to say whatever is on their minds. There are no filters or signs of embarrassment, just words spilling out of their mouths.

As parents we experience many episodes with our children, some that make you laugh and others that make you want to scream and pull your hair out. Below is a list of things I have heard come out of the mouth of my kids or other kids that I have been around.

• When my son was about four years old, I listened as he said his blessing at the dinner table, “Jesus swept.” I had to tell him, “No honey Jesus “wept”, He cried. He didn’t sweep.”
• When my son was about eight years old, I encouraged him to try different vegetables. As I put a small amount of collard greens onto his plate he said, “Why do I have to eat college greens?”
• While teaching a Sunday school class for 6-8 year olds, one little boy told me his stomach was hurting. “Why is your stomach hurting?” I asked.

          “It’s a sign that the tank is full,” he told me.
           I excused him to the restroom right away.

• Years ago as I was babysitting my three year old niece, Alexis, I had forgotten that her mother didn’t want her to play with toy weapons. My boys five and two years old at the time were playing with her while each holding a toy pistol. When I noticed Alexis with the pistol, I said, “Alexis, I don’t think mommy wants you to play with weapons.”

           She paused a few seconds then said, “I want the knife then.”

• While watching a T.V. commercial that mentioned buying items for a baby shower, this conversation was overheard as a nine year old was talking to his six year old brother:

         “I remember when I used to think a “baby shower” was the first time a baby took a shower.”

• When I was a child my grandfather, Daddy Bob, would always surprise my brother and me with coins or some special treat. He continued the tradition with my boys. On one occasion when my son, Joshua was about six years old, Daddy Bob surprised him with a McDonald’s Happy Meal.

         When Joshua saw the McDonald’s bag he leaped from the couch and ran and hugged Daddy    Bob around the legs and said, “Thank you Daddy Bob, you must have read my mind! That’s just what I wanted.”

So what do you do when kids say what’s on their minds? Smile and try not to embarrass too easily.

What would you add to the list of episodes in parenting?