When I was a KID!!

Have you ever thought to yourself that things were much harder or tougher when you were a kid? Or have you ever confronted your parent(s) on the observation that they love your kids more than they loved you when you were a kid? My children are stuck with me!! 

Edmund Burke quotes (British Statesman and Philosopher, 1729-1797)

“Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.”

So I bought a mouse trap, a razor blade, prescription pills :-), some wine and a cigar the other day and set them on the table after dinner. My kids were perplexed.  They knew that I did not drink or smoke. But what was up with the mouse trap?  As they sat there, I opened the wine and poured a glass. They immediately started to panic because they knew that I did not drink. They were concerned!  They started to get emotional and told me not to do it. My oldest daughter got mad. I calmly explained that I had a bad day and that nobody would understand. It was all about me and by golly I was going to feel good about something. I explained that the drink was going to help relax me.  As I raised the glass to my lips I observed their concern and I paused... I slid the glass away..

Then I picked up the cigar and a lighter and proceeded to walk out..  They immediately started to panic because they knew that I did not smoke. They were concerned!  They started to get emotional and told me not to do it. My youngest daughter got mad. I calmly explained that I had a bad day and that nobody would understand. It was all about me and by golly I was going to feel good about something. I explained that the cigar was going to help relax me.  As I raised the cigar to my lips I observed their concern and I paused... I threw the cigar away..  

Then I picked up the razor proceeded to flip it in my fingers as if to cut myself on purpose..  They immediately started to panic because they did not want me to hurt myself. They were concerned! They started to get emotional and told me not to do it. Both of daughters got mad. I calmly explained that I had a bad day and that nobody would understand. It was all about me and by golly I was going to feel good about something. I explained that the razor was going to help me forget about the pain I endured that day.  As I raised the  razor  to my arm I observed their concern and I paused... I put the razor down..  

Then I picked up the pills and put 2  - 3 in my hand..  They immediately started to panic because they knew that I did not need to take the pills. They were concerned!  They started to get emotional and told me not to do it. My oldest daughter got mad. I calmly explained that I had a bad day and that nobody would understand. It was all about me and by golly I was going to feel good about something. I explained that the pills were going to help relax me.  As I raised the pills to my lips I observed their concern and I paused... I put  the pills back in the bottle..  

Finally I picked up the mouse trap and set it to Kill..  They immediately started to panic because they knew that we did not have any mice.  They were concerned!  They started to get emotional and asked me what I was going to do with it.  I calmly explained that I had a bad day and that nobody would understand. It was all about me and by golly I was going to feel good about something. I explained that the mouse trap was all the rage and it looked like fun!  I just wanted to see for myself.   As I put my hand into the trap I observed their concern and curiosity.  THEY LET ME DO IT!!  They just sat there and screamed when the trapped unexpectedly slammed on my arm. OW!!!!   They asked if it hurt and I said YES! Then I did it again. and again.. They were amused yet solicitous about my welfare.  I then pushed the trap to them and said, "Here. Try it."  They refused!  I tried to explain the rush.. The feeling.. The FUN!! I offered them $$$...  I offered them food!!! I offered them toys!!!  I offered them a new phone!!!  NO.. NO.. NO.. 

As I slid the trap away I asked them what was the difference between the mouse trap, the razor blade, the prescription pills :-), the wine and the cigar.  We came to a conclusion that all of these items were just an escape from my problems. Although these items were hurting me, I did not care how it affected the one's that I love. I even tried to drag them into my misery.  Now, I know that my kids will forget this lesson and/or think that I have gone over the deep end. They may not have made a connection to their lives or understood the relevance of my muse.  I also know that they will eventually put their hand in the proverbial mouse trap. However,  the exercise opened up a dialog.  We had a chance to sit there and talk about the kids that are hurting themselves just to escape or to get attention. I also pointed out that when I chose to hurt myself I needed to see and understand how my actions affected my loved ones!  

I do not  assume that my kids intuitively know right from wrong. I believe that they are influenced by their peers and media. My goal is to be a guide, a mentor, a disciplinarian, a role model ...  A Parent!  In as much as they are embarrassed to be associated with me...  They know that their parents care..