This is a blog post that I wrote last week, and never got to send off, but it seemed a shame to leave it sitting in a folder – so here you are…
“Never run in flip flops!” I have been known to say to my kids. It is common parenting wisdom that running in flip flops often leads to trips and scrapes, crying and general heartbreak.
And yet, Â yesterday I found myself sprinting from the Metro station to my house in a pair of cheap rubber flip flops.
“If only my kids could see me now” I thought to myself as I overtook a group of astonished runners (I am fast – even in flip flops, and of course I looked ridiculous). Â I had a good reason to be running, as I had forgotten an important appointment, but even as I justified my actions to myself in my head I kept thinking… “Just how many pieces of my own parenting wisdom have I ignored lately (cue snorts from my family)?” Hmmm, let’s see…
Never color inside the lines (one of my personal favorites – works on so many levels)
Well actually I have recently fallen in love with coloring books, and , ahem, have started making one of my own. It’s therapeutic sometimes to color inside the lines – but only if you want to.
Do not accept food from strangers – Around 5pm (the witching hour for many parents), pretty much anyone can offer me anything to eat, and I will eat it (chocolate being my preferred poison). Stress and Cookie Monster toys do strange things to a person’s appetite.
Get a good night’s sleep – Hmmpphh, I’m not even going to bother discussing that one.
Prioritize your work! – I am supposed to be getting ready for Mclean Day this Sunday, and instead I’m spending an inappropriate amount of time obsessing over a coloring book project  that is nowhere near being finished (see above).
Speaking of which…
Finish what you start – Oops. I get so excited about new projects that I have way too many pots on the boil at the same time…..which actually reminds me of a beautiful piece of advice that I have not broken…
Do what you love –Â See, I’m doing something right!
