High Priority Parenting Situations

25 posted on August 25, 2009

POSTED IN: Blog Posts

Parenting is quite a ride.

I’m not sure what your “ride” looks like but mine is something like being locked in the trunk of a sports car that a couple of 13-year-olds have taken out for a joy ride. It’s both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Any parent who tells you anything less is lying through their teeth.

Speaking of parenting, do you have a preferred parent in your house for the high-priority missions? The enforcer? In our house, that would be me. Don’t get me wrong, Lisa shoulders the majority of the parenting load and does ten times the work but every so often you have to call in the big guns.

Take this morning for example.

Emily woke up with a less-than-desirable mood. She was moping around, not getting ready and crying because she didn’t want to go to school (which she normally loves). After ten minutes of Lisa trying to deal with it I finally heard her say, “Honey, I need your help.” (cue the superhero theme song)

I can’t give away trade secrets (and no, there were no bribes involved) but after two minutes I had Emily smiling and walking to the bathroom to finish getting ready.

Booya! Who’s the man?

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t didn’t puff my chest out and gloat just a little.

So how do you handle the “priority parenting situations” in your house? Do you play good-cop, bad-cop? Is one of you the enforcer?

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6 Comments

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August 25, 2009

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1 Zack said:

Our son is about 10 months old, so there’s only so much we can do in terms of parenting right now.

But I tell you, those poofy, melt-in-your-mouth cereal snacks are our secret weapon for just about any situation right now….
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August 25, 2009

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2 Brad Ruggles said:

Ha ha, yes! Those little cereal treats are like gold for babies and toddlers. Enjoy that while you can. What I wouldn’t give to be able to curb bad behavior with fruit loops now…
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August 25, 2009

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3 April said:

I’d be careful with your bit of gloating… If Lisa sees too much of that I have a feeling you’ll be in charge of getting Emmers ready every morning!
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August 25, 2009

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4 Doug Lake said:

Congrats! Thanks for keeping the SuperDad image alive.

I too am “Mr. Fixer Guy” / “Dr. Dad” / “Captain Awesome” (way before the Chuck Character came to it’s cult fame).

Most Dads have this power within that only can be tapped when needed most. I fail and readily admit. I also know that my Super Powers may be limited … I think the image of dad changes somewhere around age 15/16 but I hope the memories of dad sometimes saving the day linger long into adulthood.
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August 25, 2009

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5 Sarah said:

I grew up in a home where the words “just wait until your dad gets home” were used. As an adult, and a parent now, I look back and sometimes think that wasn’t the best thing. We viewed our dad as the one we REALLY had to listen to and obey; mom, well, not as much. Which I think is a dynamic they, themselves, created.

As I’ve thought about this in regards to my own parenting, I’ve discussed with my husband that I don’t want either of us to be the bad guy OR the good guy. That we’re a team, and we do it together, and our children have to listen to both of us equally.

Hmm. Maybe idealistic, as I’m sure it won’t always work that way (our family is still young). But just some thoughts.

And good for you for figuring out your daughter! 10 points!
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6 bill (cycleguy) said:

Let me think…oh yeah. Mine are 34 & 30 and long gone. When at home we both handled them. We always stuck together so they knew how NOT to play the game of mom vs. dad. Consistency is the key.