Things That I Will Do Differently...

Growing up I am sure that all of us thought, and probably said out loud, "I will never make my children do this!" or "My children will never do that!" I mostly say the latter while in Wal Mart and listening the kid in the next aisle pitching a fit because mom won't buy them the latest, hottest toy. And what I love is when mom says, "If you don't stop right now we are going to leave this store." Um, hello, do you really think that kid WANTS to be spending an hour at Wal Mart? That's exactly what they want. To LEAVE! So do us all a favor. Go ahead and go! Now, I am obviously not talking about any of your children... I love them all and would be happy to have them pitch a fit with me at Wal Mart :-)

Having said that (and apparently gotten it off my chest) I have a list of things that I will do differently with my children...

1. I will not allow my children to drop out of piano lessons. I stopped my freshman year of high school and regret it everyday. How I wish I could sing and play at the same time...
2. I will ensure that my children get proper dental care and attention as needed. I will also make sure that they know important it is to brush their teeth!
3. I will encourage my children to participate in extracurricular activites, i.e. sports, dance, choir, girl scouts/boy scouts, etc.
4. I will encourage my children to run for student government offices in their school.
5. I will not make my children sing in the talent show if they have no singing abilities. What is more painful than that???
6. I will document their every move with pictures, videos, programs, etc.
7. I will expose my children to culture. They WILL love Broadway shows.
8. I will make sure that they listen to music from previous generations.
9. I will make sure that they know the old hymns of the church.

Obviously there are/will be many other things, but these are just a few things I'm thinking about right now. Now, I'm not promising I'm going to be a great mom... We had a baby in the office yesterday who slobbered all over my sleeve and I nearly gagged... Everyone says that it's different when it's your own child, but I'm not so sure about that...