So most couples when they find out they are expecting their first child sit down and have conversations about what type of parents they want to be. They discuss the type of discipline they are going to use and their overall parenting techniques. They read books, asking family members for advice, browse the internet, and basically set up some sort of plan. Not us. We parent by trial and error and generally have very little rules at our house. Most of our rules I have developed as Mad grows older. No eating dog food, Pet Tucker Nicely, don't touch the electrical outlet, Stay away from the wine rack, and don't play in the dog's water. (consequently because Mad has developed an obsession with everything dog related the dog dishes have to be kept outside and Tuck and Fish are forced to enjoy their meals on that patio.) These Basic rules keep everyone in the house happy. Travis on the other hand had 2 concrete rules from the moment we found out we were having a girl. Those 2 rules have grown into 3 as Madeline gets older. Travis said and I quote "Mad can do anything she wants except...."
1. Be in Child Beauty Pageants - I agree with this rule as well. Although for some reason I have a sick fascination with watching the show Toddlers and Tiaras on TLC. I watch the over weight middle aged moms live vicariously through their adorable daughters and convince myself I will never be that way. (Yeah right....Ummmmm Delovely do you have a payment plan I can start now??) Travis comes in and promptly announces "Turn that Shit off!" and then goes on a tirade about how sick and twisted Child Beauty Pageants are. Who knew my husband had an opinion about anything!? I will say that when the Mad is older and is she decides on her own that she would like to do a beauty pageant I would help her.
2. Have a New Car when she turns 16 - This rule is my fault. I had a new car when I was 16 and see nothing wrong with Mad having one. But Trav says that she will just end up wrecking it. I disagree. I never wrecked my car. I severely damaged a garage but never wrecked my car. I had a boyfriend wreck my car....but still not my fault. My financially responsible husband did say that he would match the amount of money Mad saved up for her car and help her buy one when she turns 16. (Are you impressed yet? I totally was.) But it probably should be mentioned that Travis first car was a 1980 something blue diesel station wagon. He paid $100 cash for it and mowed the neighbors lawn all summer to pay off the other half. If Mad is anything like her mother that won't do! I already know how this is going to play out. About a month before her 16 birthday Grandma Re and Papa are going to get a phone call about how horribly mean her father is and won't buy her a new car. There will be a little debating at the Thomas household and magically a new FORD car will appear in our driveway. There is a really good chance Mad will drive a nicer car than us.....
3. Madeline must wear pants - this is the new rule that he developed about 6 months ago and the only rule he has instituted since she was born. Madeline Must Wear Pants. Lately I have been able to negotiate that Mad can wear dresses if she has a cute diaper cover on underneath. It drive Travis crazy if I let her run around in her diaper and a T-Shirt. She's a baby Trav....come on! I think he secretly fears that if she doesn't wear pants as a baby she will grow up to be a promiscuous teenager. Right....? Anyway being the good and loving wife that I am right before I put Mad in the bath at night I let her run around completely naked just to piss Trav off! I strip her down and tell her "Go show daddy" and she runs into the living room like a lunatic and laughs her head off at her dad. I think she knows too how much it pisses him off when she is naked!
So as most of you have gather by now we are not perfect parents....not even close. But we are some how managing to raise a funny, happy, easy going daughter, who occasionally runs around naked! Doesn't get much better than that. :) Also if you are interested Travis is available for consulting purposes on raising children!
Happy Early Fathers Day!
xoxo - ET
