Normal? Us?

My daughter # 2- mom of G-baby, was in a wedding this week-end. It was about 6 hrs. away, so she went alone and her hubby and G-baby stayed at home. As with all weddings, there were stories to tell. The first thing our daughter #2 said was - That was wild. It made our family. actually .look .normal. Wait a minute! What is that suppose to mean. Like at some point - ever - she has had thoughts of our family being anything other than normal?  Ya don't say! Considering some of the abnormal things that she has been exposed to, I think I'll take it. When she was a PRE-TEEN, she went to a party where I made sure the parents would be in attendance - lots of good it did. The PARENTS provided liquor. It was the old, if your going to drink, I'd rather you drink at home stupidity. Pah-lease!!!! Then there was the "everybody else gets to go to the park and hang out,why can't I"? WEllll! Those kiddos ended up in trouble for doing all sorts of interesting and yucky things. Those were the days when she thought that we were strict, MEAN, old-fashioned, boring parents. Just, the worst! My how the tables have turned! God is sooo good. She is now married and mom to G-baby and tells me things about other people that will knock your socks off (she recently chatted with a few people she went to school with). The lives they lead are pretty much a reflection of the families they grew up in (available liquor,no curfews etc.).These are adults now, who still act like wayward teens. She will be telling me some bizarre antics of those people, with the most " I am totally appalled " look on her face. I just have to smile (not at the sad lives these folks live), because it makes her sound normal,boring even. Oh, my! I remember when she was in Elementary school, she told all her friends that her Dad was actually her step-dad - because she wanted to be just a little more "normal". Yeah! she feels bad about it now. So, are we normal? Well, I don't really know what normal is. I would say we fall on the side of not-so-normal,but in a good way. Our grown daughters do not walk around in front of their father with nothing but a thong and bra on. He does not walk around in front of them in just his undies. He also does not walk around in front of their friends in only his undies.These are actual events that have occurred in other peoples homes. Whatever that makes us - I accept. We pray together and play together and we all eat together often. I'll take that too. We are not perfect and sometimes I want to run and hide for a few weeks days minutes ,but overall it's not so bad being whatever we are.

Comments

[Carol]

My kids say I'm weird for not letting them do everything their friends are allowed to do. Paint me proud to be weird because I'm sticking to my guns on a lot of things to which other parents have given way.

My question: Why be normal?

[Jeana]

My friend and I love to talk about the unanswereable questions of what's normal and if it's so normal, why is it so hard to find people who are like that? Love this!

[Gwen]

Faith...what a great post! I so enjoy reading your posts! You have so much wisdom to share!!!

[Faith]

I agree, why be normal? Whatever that is. I've gotten wise (old) enough to feel comfortable just being me!

[boomama]

We had this very discussion at my parents' house this past weekend re: how people sometimes unthinkingly repeat their parents' mistakes. It encourages me to take a stand early and often in my own little family - so that our child isn't the one who suffers. You know?

[Nancy]

I remember when my daughter would tell me "ALL HER FRIENDS" got to stay up later than she did. Her mistake was that she went to the school that was part of our Catholic Church and I knew all the parents of all her friends, so I asked them. I found out that what her father and I suspected was true, NO ONE stayed up later than she did! My husband and I have actually walked up the driveway to friend's homes telling each other, "Just be normal."

[Nancy]

Faith,

I commented on YOUR comment to my blog explaining everything! Hope you understand it. email me at nancy at nancysbrandt dot com for further questions!

[momrn2]

I can't believe some of those things you said have happened. Unbelievable! If that's considered normal... I'm proud to be abnormal!

[Addie]

I never feel NORMAL! Is there really such a thing?!? Loved your post, I was taking notes for future reference on the teenager stuff! I'm really not looking forward to that!

[Sara]

When I was about 20 I was reading my bible at work on my break. One of the other 'teens told me, "Why are you into that? Why don't you rebel like everyone else?" He totally missed how illogical his words were.

I'm glad you are not "normal" by today's standards. I hope to be more and more abnormal as the days go by because things seem to be getting worse and worse.

Glad your daughter turned out well. I will laugh at my kids when they have kids too. :D

[Courtney]

I am so glad that I never thought I family was weird!! I always thought you were the best parents! :)

[Courtney]

Sorry for the typo, I can't type today!!