11 Things I Learned in December

I’m back! Did you miss me? Aw, shucks… Well, let’s dive right in then, shall we? I can’t even remember how or when I found Emily Freeman’s blog, Chatting at the Sky. Since she’s a writer and a mother, like me, chances are high that someone forwarded me a post they thought I might like and I did. I like lots of her posts and it’s mainly because of that intangible and elusive quality that stymies so many writers: voice. I find Emily’s voice peaceful and positive and just the right amount of funny.

This is all a long wind-up to say that I’m participating in her monthly “Things I Learned” link-up, where she invites other bloggers to join her in sharing what they learned each month. Originally I was thinking I’d do a funny riff on “The 12 Days of Christmas” but that would take some effort and this guy already did it better. “11 Things I Learned” sounds more manageable, as I sit here with a sick husband and 2 kids who’ve had way too much togetherness over Christmas break.

So here we go:

1. Just because you think your child is old enough to know better, does not mean he is old enough to know better. Specifically, that snow globes are not edible. Or not to stick candy canes up his nose.

2. This one comes from our pediatrician: if someone swallowed glass, you’d know it. Because they would be screaming bloody murder and clutching their throat and writhing in pain. (My son was not.) Good to know, right?

3. Kids are resilient. They can chew on glass (my kid), throw up right before Christmas dinner (my kid), and break their ankle riding their new tricycle in the basement (my nephew) and still be just fine.

4. A preschool Christmas pageant can include kids picking their noses, sticking their hands down their pants, and tussling in the second row during “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and still be sweet and touching. (No pun intended.)

5. Gratitude comes easier to kids than adults. Something I’ve seen in action. Even if they do complain about not getting that taser or live hedgehog they asked Santa for.

6. The key to happy holidays for me is keeping my expectations low. We avoided the ER, got our usual ghetto tree from the drugstore parking lot, and I got a pretty necklace from my husband. A very Merry Christmas in my book!

7. Just because you were a good ice skater 20 years ago does not mean you are still a good ice skater, particularly when you’re wearing ill-fitting rental skates and you have 2 kids pulling on you on a crowded ice rink. Right, honey? (File this one under “Things My Husband Learned in December”)

8. I can take a break when I need to and the world won’t end.

9. I miss writing regularly when I don’t do it for awhile.

10. I still can’t work at coffee shops. (Some lessons you just have to keep on learning till they stick.)

11. Charlie Brown holiday specials are awesome. I’m so glad my kids think so, too. Because they are downstairs watching “Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!” and I can write this post.

Happy New Year, all! Wishing you a healthy, happy, life-lesson-filled 2014!