Well, now that I'm a parent I realize that we only take pictures when our kids are being adorable and I wonder, Why is that? Are we encouraging selective memory? Sure, we want to remember the fun, happy times. But I also want my kids to know they weren't always perfect and that they owe me big time for not shipping them off to live with monkeys.
Why not take pictures when the kids are fighting, writing on the wall, flushing keys down the toilet or sticking pennies in our car CD player (really happened)? Let's not forget: chucking rocks at the neighbor kids, sticking peas up their nose, managing to get their diaper off and peeing on the floor or waking me up at 3 am to watch TV. Why not cherish the memory of your child on the floor throwing a tantrum in the store/restaurant/church (all of the above)?
That way, when they come to me at 16, and want to know why I won't give them $70, haven't bought them a car yet or still make them do chores, I can pull out my photo album and they will thank me for keeping them and loving them still.
Our kids should know how much we love them, but it can't hurt to let them in on what a pain in the ass they were sometimes as well. (sorry mom, I'm getting the soap right now)
6 comments:
I agree!
Dude I have not looked on here for a while. Love the picture idea, will have to remember to whip the camera out next time I want to spank them.
I wish I could say I knew what you meant about your childhood pictures... But I don't think my hair was done, my face or clothes clean in a single one of them. Either way I think you're right. we shouldn't document just the perfect times... (but we should catch a least a FEW of them!) And besides that you need good (blackmail) photos to pull out when their dates come over right?
I love it Mel! I totally agree!
HAhaha! That was really funny! So true. I think I'd triple my picture load if I did that... That was great.
DITTO! Love the pictures! Hope you guys are doing well! Your kids are as cute as ever!
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