And then came what you wished for. . .
That certainly got your attention. What in the world could this older than dirt lady be wishing for at her age. Tons of things – I could follow those on stage and say “World Peace”, “No More Hunger”, “Kindness”, or I can spell it out in true Prissie fashion for you. I want parents to be parents, children to be allowed to be children.
What I don’t want is two-year olds hooked on tablets, wanting Barbie dolls rather than a Betsy Wetsy. Maybe if more children played house with a Betsy Wetsy, they would grow up respecting what their moms and dads went through. We are so anxious for our children to be the best in school, the best in athletics whether it’s baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball or any of the other tons of sports children now have to choose from. Whatever they choose, let it be THEIR choice – you had your opportunity so don’t try to relive your childhood through them. As a mom, if you cheered, let your daughter or son make that choice, don’t you make it for them.
Many moons ago, I was at Optimist Park and a cousin was there watching her cousins play soccer. She was dribbling a ball on the sideline up and down and having the time of her life. I, in true Prissie get in somebody’s business fashion, walked over to the dad and asked where his wife and older daughter were. He said they had a “Little Miss Peanut” event to attend so he and his younger child came to watch their cousins play. I didn’t hesitate, “You should let your girls play. They love it and they’re good at it.” Without naming any names, I told him his oldest daughter proved her athleticism when she was awarded the Presidential Fitness Award in third grade at Riverside. He said, “No, they like cheering, so we’re going to stick with that.”
Fast forward to 2026 and both girls are standout soccer and softball players, one so much so that she’ll be continuing her skills at the college level. That’s good parenting (even if it did take a while to get to the right place! And I will say, I was very proud of both parents and have told the dad that many times.
Mommas, you’re next – allow your children to choose their attire but guide them in doing so. Don’t let them dress to success when they are three, six, or even 10 years old. Let them look their age, they have plenty of time to look like a teenager when they are one. Dads, show your sons how to treat a lady by observation. Divorce happens, separations happen, all kinds of circumstances occur to cause split families. Don’t let that split roll over to hate, harsh criticism, or constant critiquing of your child child’s mother or in the case of the mother, of your child’s father.
Children learn more by observation than we like to realize. Remember that when you’reblasting that father or mother. Children are wise beyond their years, many more times more than we like to think they are so let them make the decision about each of their parents. All parents are going to make mistakes, they are going to let their children see a side of them they wish they could take back, but let THEM decide – don’t you decide for them their feelings on the actions of either parent.
And pull out a board game every now and then and have a game night, put them tablets, computers and cell phones away – be a family comparable to Leave it to Beaver or Andy Griffith!
Take pictures and send them to me – I’d be tickled pink to see them and with permission might even run them in the Times to show folks it can be done. That’s it this week – you can thank an extensive calendar for the short rant from Prissie.
