I knew there would be moments that I’d feel like the worst parent in the world. That there would be times I’d look back and wish there was something I had or hadn’t done. That I would say something and instantaneously feel like a complete idiot. I knew it, but that doesn’t mean I was prepared it. I’d like to say this was the first time, but it wasn’t. And I know it won’t be the last.
Skylar’s preschool has a pretty structured morning drop-off routine. I hand the teacher Skylar’s lunchbox, hang up her coat in her cubby, then she goes and washes her hands. Next, she goes over to the dry-erase board and writes her name to sign in. Then we walk over to the easel containing the “Question of the Day”, which is usually a simple yes or no question. I read the question, then Skylar takes the magnet with her name on it and puts it under the answer she thinks is correct. Then it’s time for goodbye hugs and we’re off for the day.
As I was hanging up Skylar’s jacket on Friday, one of her teachers walked me over to the dry-erase board. She said, “We’re going to start working with Skylar on writing her name in lowercase letters. She’s really good at writing her name, but she usually uses all caps. Especially her ‘R’.”
To most parents, this would probably be exciting. Me? I was mortified.
See, while I wouldn’t consider myself an artist per say, I am slightly obsessed with typography, calligraphy, and the written English language as a whole. My handwriting changes every few months. I like to play with letters and create new styles. I enjoy addressing envelopes and I still journal by hand most nights.
My current “thing” is to make every letter “R” in uppercase. It doesn’t matter if it starts a sentence or makes an appearance in the middle of a word. It is R. Never r. I think I’ve always written Skylar’s name as: SkylAR. It looks much cooler when I write it by hand. I assure you.
So imagine my utter devastation upon learning that my one and only form of artistic expression may be the downfall of my child’s preschool career. Okay, okay. I might be overreacting just a little bit.
I think we each have things that hit us with some force. We know that children imitate their parents, but we each have a brutal “aha moment” when the matter becomes real to us. I guess I’m lucky that mine came in the form of an uppercase R at the end of a word rather than my daughter repeating unkind words in the middle of the grocery store.
My daughter is amazing and I’m betting your kid is pretty awesome too. They soak in everything, man. Kids are always on. Skylar’s memory astounds me daily. She observes the way I cross my legs, the way I say certain phrases, and–apparently–how I write each carefully crafted “R”.
We always tell our kids, “Hey, I’m watching you!” Then we make that motion with our fingers from our eyes to theirs. You know what I’m talking about. Well I think we’ve got it wrong. The truth is, our children watch us more intently than we will ever watch them. It’s time we noticed.
What is the strangest thing a child has done to imitate you?
Linking up with SITS Back to Blogging Challenge Day 2 & The Blogger’s Digest!
Melissa Roy says
Children definitely have a way of showing us our best, and our worst. As you said, they pick up on EVERYTHING we do and I have certainly had my share of bad words spewed back in my direction but it is always a helpful reminder to be MY best and make sure I’m modeling exactly what I want to see from them! (and as a former preschool teacher, don’t worry about the “R”, she’ll recover just fine!)
Melissa Roy recently posted…Dear Spouses of Stay at Home Parents
Brittany says
Thanks for the affirmation; I’m sure I haven’t scarred her for life ;-) You’re absolutely right that kids have a way of inspiring to be our best in many ways. Thanks for stopping by and visiting!
Kim says
Ah yes, when we least expect it we find out our children really ARE taking in everything we do and say. My question is, why do they tend to display the least positive ones!? ;) I have had my children imitate me when playing, and let me tell you it didn’t sound pretty. I had a “OMG! Do I really sound like that when I ask them to do something!?!?” moment. Thanks for the reminder that as parents we really do need to take notice of our actions and words! Found you via SITSsharefest.
Kim recently posted…Fall Bucket List
Brittany says
EXACTLY! Why do they tend to display our least positive ones? I think that we tend to see more of the negative traits in ourselves than positive ones, so we naturally notice the negative parts of ourselves in our children as well. I’m sure you’re kids have seen lots of positive in you and mimic it; you just don’t see it all the time! Thanks for visiting my blog :)
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Oh yes, children watch everything. I realized through the actions of my daughter’s that I get “huffy” when I’m really angry (big sigh, shoulder shrug, and walk away). You can bet my children demonstrate that behaviour… and just as I was about to question where the heck they got it from, I realized I was the only one to blame *hangs head in shame*.
Thanks for shaRing (lol).
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…{ these moments : September 2014 }
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
I just noticed you shared this at the #SHINEbloghop. Awesome post to share – thanks for linking up with us.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…{ these moments : September 2014 }
Brittany says
Of course! I hope you have a most excellent weekend as well :)
Brittany says
I do the same thing! My daughter will start doing something that I find disrespectful or annoying and then I suddenly realize that I do the same thing! She teaches me so much about myself. Don’t be ashamed. Life is a learning process! Thanks for visiting :)
Gram says
I can’t say I remember being copied. What I remember are the special words, like sack ages and foot fingers. I’m sure your mother has shared them with you many times.
Brittany says
I have heard of these special words! You guys have such great memories :)
Kari says
That’s a sweet story. Nothing to be mortified over!
You’ve got to post a pic of how you write her name. I want to see some examples of your printing work! I have always been a fan of my own cursive…. :)
Brittany says
Why didn’t I think of that?!?! Maybe I’ll do a post of some of my handwriting projects…and I’ll be sure to include one of Skylar’s name :) Thanks for visiting and leaving this sweet comment!
Julie says
Oh gawd bless you, try not to panic! My youngest wrote pretty much everything backwards for the first couple of years, he’s 15 now and doesn’t do it any more – it will pass. She will quickly learn the difference between proper writing and fun writing and when to use which.
To answer you question though, when my daughter was just about 18 months she would pick up her pretend tea cup and pretend sip it then go “AAAHHHH” (imagine a sigh not a scream) really loudly. I had no idea what she was doing until I noticed that with almost every sip of tea I go ahh afterwards. All my kids have also been known to swear under their breath at exactly the right moment and I fear they may have got that from me too :-/
Julie recently posted…Silent Sunday 21st September 2014
Brittany says
Oh my gosh, thank you so much for commenting! This is the best. My mom has told me a story of how, when I was little, she dropped something in the store and I said a rather inappropriate word and this older lady looked at her like she was the worst parent in the world! I think we all have a funny story that snaps us into reality. Thanks for visiting!