The Cool Parents

The older the Bubs gets to be and now that we're pregnant with another precious little boy, I can't help but think about how things will be when they both get older. Their personalities, their friends, their ways of thinking, their challenges and triumphs.....you know, what every parent wonders about. I also wonder if we will be those parents. The "it" parents that our son's friends are so comfortable being around that there's always an extra place to set at dinner or a friend over on Saturdays.

Now, I know that Hubby would prob'ly be the belle of the ball if that were to happen. Y'all should see all of the anime movies, game systems and games that the man has! A boy's dream come true. However, he's very strict about what the Bubs is allowed to see. The more adult games are only played at night or when the Bubs is with Ammah and Poppi at their house. I'm fairly certain that the same rules would apply to any friends. Smart man, that!

I've been fairly easy going with the little visitors we've had in the past. I don't mind loudness or silliness in general and have fun watching their antics. I only have a few expectations, though. They're expected to share, be safe, and under no circumstances are they to be behind closed doors. I'm sure that I might add a couple things when they get older, but those are the basics at our house.

I know a few of my readers have children that are a bit older than the Bubs....got any advice for me?

"Forced Fun" that actually turned out to be fun........

I loathe going to the "forced fun" events that come with the territory when you're in the military. By forced fun, I mean that when an officer "invites" you and yours over to their house or out to eat, you go. No ifs, ands or buts about it, and you better have a life threatening or work-related reason for not showing up. Ugh. I hate standing around in a room full of people feeling out of place and not knowing the first thing to talk to anyone about. It makes me especially uncomfortable when people think, because I smile occasionally and act like I've been raised right by being mannerly ('cause I was, y'all), that I'm going to be the one that's outgoing and get the conversations started. As if!!

Well thank the precious Baby Jesus, it wasn't like that at the BBQ we just went to! The hostess was so friendly and relaxed that she immediately put me at ease. We ended up talking about everything under the sun in between our mommy duties and her hostess duties. Even Hubs commented on how well we got along. I actually had a good time which, believe me, NEVER happens. The Bubs had so much fun playing with the other kids that were there he didn't want to leave.

Sounds like someone I could be friends with, right? *sigh* They're moving in 6 days.

That's what it's like around here. Friendships are for a season......we loose touch because of relocations, and then eventually end up renewing aquaintances after a few years when everybody's back at the same place again.

As we were talking about her family's new duty station and the surrounding areas, I could tell she was excited and looking forward to the change. She wasn't even really fazed that she had to get a whole house ready for the movers in just under a week. She's my new hero, people! Moving with the military is an involved process. Part of what is required before a move is a house inventory. Every item in your house has to be enumerated and a weight guesstimate for each has to be included. The weight requirements are set by rank and you cannot go over. We would have to have a yard sale to end all yard sales to get rid of stuff in our house if we had to meet any weight requirements right now!

Well, I'm glad and a trifle relieved that we were able to have a good time, but a little sad that a potential friend is moving away so soon. I wish them well and look forward to possibly meeting up again down the road.