{"id":5751,"date":"2017-05-11T16:13:40","date_gmt":"2017-05-11T23:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.therowdybaker.com\/?p=5751"},"modified":"2017-05-11T16:28:40","modified_gmt":"2017-05-11T23:28:40","slug":"wait-im-the-aging-parent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.therowdybaker.com\/?p=5751","title":{"rendered":"Wait . . . I’M the Aging Parent?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"A Mother’s Day challenge was thrown out by Tamara of The Three Gerbers, asking us to list 10 ways our parenting has changed as our children grow older. I’m (gulp) a shit-ton of years older than she is, so my changes are probably more dramatic, but I’ll play along and give all of those young whippersnappers something to look forward to.<\/p>\n

Here are some of my observations:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. All three of my \u201cchildren\u201d can (and do) teach me new tricks in the kitchen, but they still appreciate my familiar comfort foods. They used to get underfoot and drive me nuts, but now I love cooking with them when I have the opportunity. One thing hasn’t changed: I still get stuck with the dishes.<\/li>\n
  2. I hate to admit this, but I\u2019d much rather let them drive; they have so much more confidence than I. And yes, my kids’\u00a0hands shoots out in front of ME now when there’s a sudden stop.<\/li>\n
  3. I can still embarrass my daughter, only now it\u2019s on social media for everyone to see. The boys have stronger survival instincts\u00a0and steer clear of Facebook and Twitter.<\/li>\n
  4. I message my daughter for fashion advice. \u201cCan I wear boots with jeans that are snug around the calf?\u201d \u201cWhat? I can\u2019t wear socks with flats?\u201d She knows this stuff, and I\u2019m hopeless.<\/li>\n
  5. Surprisingly, they really haven\u2019t changed much. Their personality traits have just strengthened, if anything. From oldest to youngest: artistic\/independent\/affectionate, creative\/sensitive\/capable, stubborn\/erudite\/irreverent. And all of them are very witty. The boys are like a comedy team. Their sister can hold her own, but I haven\u2019t seen all three together for years. I\u2019d be an appreciative audience for that show!<\/li>\n
  6. When they were younger, I felt that they were at least obligated to listen<\/em> to my advice. Now I\u2019m more hesitant about butting in. They may not believe it, but I really do hold back, because once I left home, my mom didn\u2019t give me advice unless I asked for it \u2013 and the older I get, the more I appreciate how hard that must have been. (Just for the record, I\u2019d give anything to sit on the couch with her and have her dish it out with abandon.) I\u2019m afraid I can\u2019t claim the self-control my mother had.<\/li>\n
  7. I\u2019m the one getting reprimanded for having a potty mouth.<\/li>\n
  8. As they get truly settled (if there is such a thing) I find I\u2019m worrying less. Finances, health, safety, it all swims around in my head, but I\u2019m confident they will find their own answers. They, however, are probably beginning to worry more and more about the same issues\u2014with ME. Wait\u00a0. . .\u00a0I’m<\/em> becoming one of the aging parents everyone is worried about?<\/li>\n
  9. The older I get the more temptation there is to just sit in my (beloved) recliner and let the kids come to us. Now I understand why my parents did that as they aged. But until I am unable to travel, it\u2019s important to go see them, too \u2013 especially now that there are grandchildren involved. Out of my comfort zone? Oh well. We\u2019re heading to California to see the two oldest kids soon, and I can\u2019t wait. Our youngest lives nearby, and he prefers to come here because then he can mooch a meal. Works for me!<\/li>\n
  10. I\u2019m in contact with my daughter a lot \u2013 thanks to social media. (I really don\u2019t like to talk on the phone for some reason.) The boys? Not as much. But basically, they are all independent and busy. I guess I\u2019d worry about them if they had to call Mama every day. I know I\u2019m loved, and I\u2019m truly glad they are so self-reliant. Still, I think that mother hen instinct is always there, wanting to gather them all close and keep them safe.
    \n\"\"<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    See what everyone else has to say:
    \n