Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Guess I'm Just Kelly and Not Mrs. So and So

I must give off a goofy mom vibe to little kids. I don't think I come across as any kind of real disciplinarian or potential drill sergeant when I'm with a bunch of kids. I've noticed how my kids' friends will be jokey and relaxed around me. It must be all those games that I tend to play when the kids hit my backyard. I like hanging out with kids and getting to know how they think. Even at the playground, I wind up playing tag with a bunch of kids as their moms sit on the bench.

Today, I had a particularly rambunctious bunch of 2nd graders who seemed not to think I was the adult "in charge" of them for the moment. I'm helping as a kind of class mom for my 7 year old's religion class. I was given bathroom monitor duty as the kids took one last break before they had to go to church. Well, these boys were showing off all their silliness and bathroom humor for me in the hallway. I tried to be firm (I know, I'm a pushover), but the real religion teacher came and straightened them all out with one killer look. She turns the corner a minute later, and they get right back into their shenanigans. They look at me with a quick little grin, and then start telling me jokes.

It looks like my perpetual goofiness has taken over my adult persona, and I'm now officially "Mrs. Potato Head" to every little one who crosses my path. Oh well, I think it's time for me to consider entertaining at kid birthday parties. At least, I should make some money when surrounded by 4 foot and under wise guys and gals. If I don't start doing an act, maybe they'll start jumping on my back for piggyback rides. And I have to tell you, this old back can't handle that stress!!

19 comments:

Beth Kephart said...

I would have preferred you to the long, hard glance.

Kim said...

If those were my kids and they got a break from that withering-look-giving teacher with someone like you, it would make me feel glad and I might even lobby the school board to give you the job. I really don't see the point if you can get the same results using human-ness and laughter. Your kids probably just love that part of you that plays with them. It's something I aspire to. Deaglan's eyes LIGHT up when I ask him what he wants to play next.

Mari said...

I think you are the best Mom on the playground - and a lot of fun at home too!

Wendy said...

i am a pushover too! not the mean mom!

Valerie said...

Love the fact that you give kids pleasure as well as receiving it. Not every Mom can relax so well in the company of youngsters.

Mandy said...

Oh well, maybe it's better to be one of them - the fun mom who the kids can relate to! Won't it be more fun to hear their stories and share details instead of the one fussing them all the time?? ;-)

glnroz said...

nothing wrong with you methods, as far as I can see, but then again, I dont have to "corrall" the wild bunch..

Vicky said...

Sounds like a great way to live joyfully and not take ourselves too seriously all the time :) I love that you interact with the kids and play on the playground with them. When I go to have lunch with my boys, I always see how eager the other kids are to just talk with me and have attention. I often wonder if that will be the only adult one-to-one attention they may get in a day. Good for you, for showing us all how :) Your kids are so lucky!

Caitlin said...

I am sure that, in the end, the kids listen to you better and learn more from you than they do with the stern teacher. I would be proud!

The Write Girl said...

Hey Septembermom,

There's nothing wrong with being funny and goofy...you're clearly the cool mom. Cute post :)

Susan Fobes said...

I have too much teacher persona to be the "fun" mom anymore, although I try. I still hover when my kids have their friends around, but my husband is definitely the fun one. I say relish in the fact that the kids are comfortable around you, and this is coming from someone who wishes they were like you!

T Rex Mom said...

I just keep remembering some of the funny stories you've told about you and Jillian in the grocery store and how she likes for you to do the associated voices. I love this! I think it adds to your charm.

Michelle said...

It's the whole good cop/bad cop thing - and hey, telling jokes isn't so bad, is it? They could be doing so much worse. I think it's good that they're comfortable with you - at least they'll keep talking to you as they get to the teen years, right?

On second thought, maybe you have an idea with that hiring yourself out bit...

Angela said...

Kelly this made me smile so much. I'm sure they'll be talking about this for quite a while. I would've loved to hear some of the jokes they were telling. :)

Becca said...

I think that is great! I want to come off just that way to my kids friends when they are older. There is nothing wrong with kids just being kids and telling some jokes! Who wouldn't want to join in on all of that?!

Jenners said...

I don't get any respect from kids either!!! I'm the "fun" mom ... and you know, I'd rather have it that way than be able to freeze children with fear with a mere look!

Don said...

"I must give off a goofy mom vibe to little kids."

But I don't think that's a bad thing, nor does it preclude being able to manage a group of kids. My mantra with my own kids was, "We can have fun without being wild." With the right attitude, most anything is fun... even family chores!

Pat said...

Last week, I was a volunteer fill-in in the preschoolers' room at church. I played tea party with them (both boys and girls) and then played "Make the plastic cars crash into each other from opposite sides of the room."

I'm bad....bad to the bone.

But the boys had a blast.

Gerri said...

Kids love it when we listen to their jokes!!