Parenting often brings out the funny part of us
that we can’t explain or rationalize.
Like when we shuffle tiredly to the top of the driveway
at 10:44 at night with a preteen
who wants to see the lunar eclipse.
Or when we peek through the toddler’s shirt
to distract him long enough
to get shirt over his head and hands in the sleeves
before he remembers to say no.

There is no manual to follow here
other than your heart and your inner wisdom.
So you do what you do.
You know what you know.
It might take a toothbrush to get your toddler
to eat his yogurt
rather than use a spoon.
And when someone from the outside comes in
asking what that’s all about,
you shrug and say, “he’s eating.”

It’s all good as long as you are ok
and kids are thriving.
There are not many rules you need to abide by,
only those you know work for you,
such as no eating in bedrooms.
Decide how you feel about jumping on beds
and spontaneous dancing in the kitchen
during dinner,                

and whether you are agreeable to 

fill and get soaked by water balloons

on a Thursday night.