<p>Andi-
Its been a busy summer. Actually got away for a bit. Ate my way through Belgium and Amsterdam. And thanks to the local cable internet folks, my access to CC has been sporatic at best. In fact, I am awaiting the cable guy as we speak.</p>
<p>Marite-
Yes, I think nice parents have nice kids who have nice friends (well, for the mostpart–though unfortunatley several folks here have had their hands full during the adolescent years…)</p>
<p>I am glad they felt comfortable hanging out here. And even if it was just because we had a roof, beds, food, a/c, and hot and cold running water, well… thats ok too. Nine weeks in bunks in the mtns with a bunch of 9-11 yr olds is a long time… They all came back with a healthy respect for parenting.</p>
<p>Food goes a long way toward getting your kid’s friends to like you.</p>
<p>My friends all think my dad’s cool because everytime they come over, he cooks stuff for all of us. He’ll fry up about 50 egg rolls (my non-Asian friends all LOVE them) and some chicken tenders, not to mention bring out sodas, chips, and candy. My friends are always saying, "Let’s go to Salvador’s house - his dad will give us tons of food.</p>
<p>Oh, and letting your kids do things like travel on their own, skydive, race go-carts, dirtbikes, and other semi-dangerous stuff makes any parent cool. “You’re parents let you do that? I wish my parents were that cool.”</p>
<p>I think “nice” and “cool” are not quite the same. Nice parents can have pretty tough kids, especially aged 12-18; but for parents to be considered cool by their kids’ friends, I think the kids themselves must be cool enough for their friends to want to spend time at their house–as your S’s friends obviously did.</p>
<p>Any parents who make large groups of kids comfortable in their homes are cool in my book. The house at which we happily spend most of our time is not the prettiest, biggest, or most well equipped of our families houses. It’s the one where parents remember that we like yellow Gatorade better than red, don’t mind if we play capture the flag in their backyard at 1 am, don’t ask questions when we go for midnight walks (not that there was any cause- it was the last night before people separated for camp, travel, etc. and we just wanted to go out in the warm, beautiful night together), bring a television into the kitchen to watch when we take over the living room, don’t mind if we sleep over without notice, and seem genuinely happy to see us when we come in. They were very eccentric- there were always things like a metal skeleton with purple eyes or a stuffed pheasant in their living room, but it never made a difference at all. They were friendly and welcoming, and that was all that mattered.</p>
<p>We all know the house rules- it’s second nature to take our shoes off at the door, since all our parents require it. </p>
<p>These same parents have also come to pull out cars when we get them stuck in ditches, which is always much appreciated, and hosted every single game of the Pennant and World Series. They never minded having 25 kids (literally) share their house and excitement- and it made the Red Sox wins all the more exciting. I’ll never forget what it took for these parents to make their home our second home, and I hope I can do the same for my children.</p>
<p>Marite-
You are absolutely right. “Nice” doesn’t = “cool”. I’m just not sure “cool” is the best word for what I’m trying to convey. I fear the teens think “cool” means we are trying to have our second childhood and live vicariously through them. I get this vision of my 50+ yr old body dressing in 18+ yr old clothes, listening to Linkin Park (well, I do sometimes listen to them, actually…) with a knit cap on my head bursting into a rousing breakdance or something. Not quite the right image of “cool”. Can you think of a better word? Obviously “nice” isn’t it either. Of course, I loved the Brits, upon their departure, calling their stay, and our hospitality “brilliant”. I’ll take that.</p>
<p>The house is quiet now. They ran into a few snafoos (someone locked their keys in their car so my s. piled 8 people, with duffles, backpacks, etc into and onto the minivan). Got stuck in traffic and didnt get to Greyhound station downtown in time to get enough seats for the 7:30 bus. They then tried to convince my s. to drive them the 12 hrs to Ft. Lauderdale (one would drive back with him next week). I drew the line at that one. My “mom” reasoning kicked back in. I guess I am now back to a parental spoilsport. Oh well, “brilliant” was nice while it lasted.</p>
<p>Sluggbugg-
When’s the party??? Great post!! :D</p>
<p>Wow. elizabeth22 just captured it perfectly. You should use that as your college app. essay. Great job! Metal skeleton with purple eyes. We have ours in the den, not the living room, next to the Knight’s armour dressed in a wig and bra (JK!)</p>
(JK!)</p>