Mom's Mission: Making A Difference
Posted: Tuesday, June 29, 2010
by Dave Potchak
PO's Peek at the Past
I'm not sure what worried me more, the terrifying screams of my daughter or the forthcoming tir
On a late fall Saturday afternoon I was babysitting all three kids while their mom was doing some shopping. The weather was horrible, so I built a fire in the wood burner and set the TV on one of the movie channels. I promptly fell asleep on the couch, but not for long, as Kelly Ann's nerve-numbing shrieks terminated the normal pulse of my heart.
In retrospect, I suppose the movie Vampire Circus might not have been the best film choice for my children. When Count Dracula appeared in a window, two of my kids sprinted up the steps, leaving Kelly (age five or so) helplessly behind. Blood-curdling and bone-chilling do not come close to describing what was emanating from her vocal chords.
Later that day, I took my well-deserved lecture from my wife without an argument. After all, I was dead wrong in what I allowed to happen, and both she and I knew it. The kids also were reassured that this would never, ever happen again.
Fast forward a couple of years, and the scenario was basically the same. The only difference this time was that the two girls were now old enough to shop with their mom and I was in charge of Dave Junior on another weekend afternoon.
Imagine all the thoughts that my mind might muster when I was abruptly shaken and then awakened by a four-year-old with the following question, " Dad, which army guy said, We have to blow up that Goddamn foxhole!? "
This time I apparently fell asleep while my son watched a WWII movie where the GIs were bent on blowing up some Germans who were taking shelter in a bunker. With all the disorder, quick tempo, and the sounds of war, my son was just a tad confused.
Once again, I took the sermon from my wife with no argument. Young Dave also got an earful from her about using the term " damn. "
" But what about a water dam? " he asked his mom, mixing attitude with inquiry.
" Thats different, " she explained. " Water dams are a different kind of dam. "
Not wanting to prolong this whole dialogue, my wife wisely moved on to another subject as quickly as she could.
She gave me the " Lets drop it " look and I was in no position to disagree. This happens in husband and wife relationships where the husband has been known to fall short in his child raising expectations. Wives can become very proficient at not letting on to the kids that Dad just may be a complete doofus.
Something told me, though, that this was not quite over. The warning sign might have been my innate recognition that my son was just like me at that young age, and I sensed that he was not totally satisfied with his moms explanation.
So
While getting the family ready for church services the following morning, my wife and I heard with plain clarity a very disgruntled lad in his bedroom, yelling, " I cant get these water dam shoes on. "
The speed attained by my wife as she navigated the hallway and burst into that bedroom defied all laws of physics. And this time, the one-sided monologue was rather heated.
My son learned a valuable lesson that day concerning what is acceptable language and what is not. And I learned never to underestimate the speed and strength of a tiny, yet determined, woman. Neither the force of water behind a dam nor a German military squadron in a bunker can compete with a mom determined to make a dam difference with her son.
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More commentsGreat story, Dave :)I hope your son remembers this incident, it'll be a great story to tell when he grows up. And I know I shouldn't, but I think children who come out with swear words are so cute!!Oh, he remembers...he's 27 and has heard this re-told a number of times. He's married now too, and his wife, Vicky has heard the story quite a bit too - they better get ready for their parenting days....thanks for commenting,. dave
Po- good story, I remember being very young and wondering why the word damn was sometimes bad but when using it with other words, like Hoover Dam, it was an okay word. As always, I like Pappy Po's Stories - tom66Tom - good to hear from you... will be taking my dad to a doc apt., tomorrow ...hope to use your gift certificate.... thanks much, again, dave po
This was my favorite yet! hahahahaha! Nice job, Dad. Hopefully i didn't just give you another heart attack by ACTUALLY COMMENTING on your story! :)Okay, I don't know who you are, or what you did with my daughter, Kelly,... but thanks for responding...I know it can't be her, because she never does this....ha ha,..love ya,... Dad
Good stuff Dave. I can always imagine your words in my head. Maybe that's scary!!!!! Keep writing.Thanks Patti, always good to hear from a "back home" native - hope you are doing well, and thanks for taking the time to comment,...
Hi DaveThis was a funny story to read, there is only one thing that I don’t understand about fathers, when they say babysitting, like it is not there children, we mothers never say babysitting while taking care of our children :-)Very good point ! and I agree totally. One more example of how "sexist" our society ( and I, too) are about the little remarks we all make.... thanks, dave potchak
Love your stories, Dave. Yeah, I'd say the vampire viewing selection was over the top. Do the kids remember it? Thanks for sharing your memories and anecdotes. You never disappoint this reader.Oh, the kids all do remember it, and it's been repeated so often, they don't have much of a chance to forget it,..I think all of us now say, something about some water dam something now and then....thanks for commenting, Dave
First of all, I applaud your willingness to share your misgivings with us. Not all men, can do this. I am certainly like you, three kids, teenager, adolescent, and a toddler and I can relate to the "look." This was well written and by far one of the best family stories ever. It demonstrated all qualities that happen in a family, whether it is a mistake, argument, good, bad etc. High 5 for this one.James, thanks for your kind comments. I thank my mom for giving me the ability to laugh at myself and to admit my short comings. She could laugh at herself, like no other. And I thank my entire family, while growing up; they helped me prepare for the situations that I would face while raising our own kids. In my book, family, my childhood, and the good old days rank very high among my favorite things. My oldie-nostalgia site is given above. I welcome contributions from others regarding their past experiences. Thanks again, Dave Potchak
Thanks Dave. Your article had me laughing so hard I have a water dam pain in my side. Kids say the craziest things, husbands do the craziest things. Very funny. I thoroughly enjoy your stories.Thanks for commenting, Brianna. Always good to hear from you. I enjoy your stories too and I should do more commenting, but it seems I'm always in a hurry when I log on here. Dave
This brought back memories - my father sleeping on the couch while my two year old niece watched him. My five year old son eagerly bringing home every new swear word he picked up on the street (some "good" ones too). Funny how they learn to use them properly- and so quickly too. My friend reported that her 18 month old- fed up with clothes in his face as he was strollered through the aisles said, "get these damn clothes out of my way". Thanks for sharing. I had a laugh.Thanks Val, for taking the time to read the story, and for commenting too. And you are correct, it seems the little ones pick up exactly what we may not want them to pick up,..lol
What a story! I really loved it. So nice, funny, informative and as well educative. Well, I hope he has really learnt his lesson...Thank you, Funom,...good hearing from other authors... yep, he learnt his lesson, He done good...lol
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