Hoffman's Hideaway: The Couch

Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Couch

Being that this is the first summer I have had two children home most days, minus the days that my mother takes the two precious ones for a few hours, we learned some new things in our home. First let me explain that we do not lack for couch space in our home. We have a living and family room each with couch, chair and love seat. The Family Room will seat 6-8 adults. I know this and I have seen it occur. When we have had 6-8 adults in this room, I have never heard them scream, or anyone get thrown off the couch. I have also never seen 2 adults fight over the end of the couch like it was the last seat in the kingdom and they had been walking the trail of tears. However, guaranteed within 5 minutes of my children awakening and staggering down the stairs and flipping the TV to hideous cartoons (what happened to Smurfs?) the fighting begins over who had the end of the couch first. By yesterday, even the dog wanted the end of the couch. So, in a stroke of genius parenting, I BANNED the last seat of the couch. I can truly tell you I NEVER thought that would sound reasonable until yesterday. So I am enclosing a picture, taken by Troy of desperate children resorting to desperate measures. I suppose it's what you call a bonding moment between brother and sister and I should be proud as a parent that I helped to bring it about. I doubt they see it that way. HAPPY SUMMER!

Yes, she wears sunglasses EVERYWHERE right now and carries her faux fur bag.

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A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.