<p>I have found through the years and the kiddos that I tend to gravitate toward parents who parent like I do. Haven’t found many.</p>
<p>I am/was the “MEANY” mom. Maybe it had something to do with having 5 of them in 6-7 years! I would have liked being the “Yes” mom but it wasn’t going to happen. 3 naughty boys and 2 girls trying to keep up with their brothers made for a crazy house, so order was often necessary.</p>
<p>So no mine did not/do not feel entitled. No cars for them. No drivers’ license until they could afford the insurance and the car to drive. And it wouldn’t be my car either. We only had one car. No cell phones, no computers. Lessons, club dues, anything extra they had to earn. And they could NOT have a part-time job. Their job was school. So they had to be creative about funding and financing. And they did, traded coaching, cleaning, tutoring, for whatever it they wanted. But it couldn’t interfere with school.</p>
<p>All transportation had to be coordinated through me. Had to make all efforts to eat all meals together. If that meant they all got up at o’dark-thirty for breakfast so they could all have 1 meal together than so be it. Middle daughter had a 5:30 am daily swim practice, so I do mean early!</p>
<p>All had to move heaven and earth to attend all Friday night games brothers were playing in for all 4 years per brother, others had to attend all swim and dive and gymnastics meets. Only exceptions was their own practice and games. Social activities never pre-empted academics or athletics. And yes in our house athletics was as emphasized as academics. Did not matter whether you were talented/gifted in either area you were going to participate and give 100%, all the time.</p>
<p>See, mean mom. Granted as a single mom thought I had to be mom and dad so like some chemical synergies morphed into “THE MAMA”. Yes, in all caps. If they were down on the field and I didn’t hear a “love you MAMA”, he** to pay! and from their siblings!! Still that way today as big college men! Think defensive line.</p>
<p>At the same time I didn’t have curfew. Since they knew they needed to keep up their grades and athletic performance coming in super late wouldn’t cut it. As 3 season varsity athletes there were no missed practices, no absences. All ended up as captains and a few are state champions. And in more than 1 state- we moved mid high school for all of them. Fun. </p>
<p>They were hungry, still are. From my boys size I don’t mean food-wise!! They know their life/decisions/choices are up to them. There are no do-overs.</p>
<p>They live and breathe, “to whom much is given, much is expected.”</p>
<p>And yes I am a helicopter parent. Not with the schools, or community or sports, but with them. They just LOVE that!</p>
<p>My pet peeve: If I call their name, they CANNOT answer with a “What?” Nope, nope, nope. And they better have something medically wrong with them if they are rolling their eyes.</p>
<p>And yes, they were in the gifted/talented programs. Sometimes hindered more than it helped.</p>
<p>They do expect my attention but in turn they better give me something to watch!</p>
<p>Kat
aka as “The Emperor” (star wars)</p>