As our children grow and develop, it is our natural born right, no matter what trailer park you live in, to put our two cents worth of wisdom in. And I’m not sure just exactly ‘when’ it is that the two cents becomes, for our children, the heaviest load possible.
I’ll admit, the sweetest words my adult baby child can say to me is, “Hi Momma, I need your advice.”
And it is at that point that my heart skips a true beat. Pride takes over. And I can hardly stand it to be able to share my wisdom and light years of experience.
Dun. Dun. Dun-duh.
Enter the son-in-law.
The extension of your own children.
But not.
The tall and stubborn beyond your wildest dreams. The maker of the three most precious gbabies to have ever walked planet earth; Skeeter, Nacho and Sha-nay-nay. As far as Jose’ is concerned, possibly the only three things the boy may have ever done right in his whole entire life! I’m inclined to agree.
Advice given to him must be doled out in teeny tiny little morsels. More like mega-specs.
Why? You ask. Because he is one of the many for whom advice seems like arsenic.
And your opinions…old lace.
To communicate with this one of your extended children is a lesson in futility that borders on the insanity of shopping on tax saver weekend. I’d just as soon wear a purple football jersey on a Saturday afternoon. (Blech!) (shudders)
One must choose the time carefully.
The message even more so. And be ever ready to switch topics when you see the first hint of the eyes glazing over and rolling back into the head.
Today’s topic of unsolicited advice was ‘to be leery of the advice given to you by your parents.’ And by parents, I mean the in-laws. Those people on the other side of the fence. (Certainly NOT us!) Also to be wise to those who give advice and opinions freely without your asking for it. Be wise to your friends and relatives who are so quick to agree with you. Who are so ready to tell you what they ‘think’ you want to hear.
And to find mentors who will shoot straight from the hip.
That’s all. Can you please pass the bacon?
I knew my window of opportunity was short. And it closed quicker than I expected. But we have to take this in baby steps.
Can’t undo in 2 minutes what’s been done in 27 years.
Advisingly yours,
Nadine Bodine
Your VERY Best friend in the whole entire world
peaceloveandtrailerparks 