I’m finally finishing up an issue of Real Simple I picked up sometime last year (and now you know why I don’t subscribe to magazines). The other night I read an article about the danger of always being right–and thus always finding faults in others. I didn’t really relate to the author’s examples, but after a bit of reflection the point hit home.
The trouble is, I often am the one who is right. I’m the only person in this house who is organized AND rational (for a woman 
) AND realistic AND. . .well, you get the idea. As an adult, as the mother, as the homeschool teacher, it’s all too easy for me to spend my days correcting my children’s grammar, manners, and whatever else they might do wrong. When Larry comes home, I tell him when he’s staying up too late or putting too much mayo on his sandwich. Needless to say, no one appreciates my efforts to enlighten them on the right way to do things. It makes all of us miserable and I clearly need to relax and enjoy each of my family members as the unique individuals that they are.
With the article fresh in my mind, my firstborn threw me a curveball the next day. I had let C stay home (with 2yo I) while the other kids tagged along with me for N’s last day of Sports for Shorts. When we got home at 11:30, the 2 boys were waiting eagerly in the driveway with a picnic lunch prepared by C. I wanted to tell him it was too early for lunch. I bit my tongue. I wanted to remind him that he is supposed to stay in the house when I am gone (he is only 10, and we have busybody neighbors). I bit my tongue. I wanted to ask why in the driveway instead of the backyard. I bit my tongue. I wanted to tell him I didn’t like what he had fixed. I bit my tongue, and reminded myself that I didn’t have to fix it (nor do I like others complaining about what I fix!). I can’t say that I actually enjoyed this surprise picnic; I function better with advance warning. But in keeping my comments to myself, the children all seemed to have a wonderful time (especially my little chef). And that made all my tongue biting worthwhile!
