Today is Works-For-Me Wednesday: The Great Parenting Advice Edition, in which you share your best tip for imparting wisdom and character in the future generation of citizens. Or keeping everyone in one piece, whichever works for you.
More out of necessity than wisdom, I’ve learned to laugh with my kids. The more I observe all the relationships in my life, the more I see that humor is generally the glue that holds together shared values and experiences. We laugh as a family. A lot. We make inside jokes, we create reasons to crack up together, and sometimes we make ourselves laugh when we don’t feel like it. And every time we do, I feel something pass between my children and me, something I can’t quite explain.
I don’t mean that we’re lighthearted when we shouldn’t be–we’re plenty serious when the occasion requires it. But every day I see firsthand that there are fewer parenting tools more effective than making your child snort milk out his nose.
Since my kids were really little, I’ve had a little song-and-dance routine I pull out when the stress level is getting too thick. It started as a shameless attempt to get a laugh out of a baby; it has evolved over the years into a routine that involves ridiculous choreography and a big finish. My kids have ever-so-affectionately dubbed it "Mom’s Dork Dance." And no, there is absolutely no way I will describe it to you, so don’t even ask. Suffice it to say that it gets all of us (including me) laughing at just the right moment.
The fact that my finest parenting advice involves personal humiliation should be an indication to you that I need some more pointers. Enter your link below (link to your post, not to the front page of your blog–this is how you do it). WFMW guidelines can be found here.
For those of you who came by earlier to see the Mr. Linky gone…sorry about that. For some reason, I’m having major Mr. Linky technical issues lately. I think it may have to do with the fact that I use Typepad–Mr. Linky and Typepad don’t always get along together. But I’ve drawn a line down the middle of the backseat and told them they have to play together peacefully without bugging each other, so we’ll see what happens.
If the links should disappear again later today, rest assured I’ll be working on it.
Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.
Links are closed for this week. Thanks for playing!
I am so looking forward to reading all of these. Great idea!!
Great advice. I have made it a habit to make my kids laugh. It feels good for all of us!
Thank you, Shannon!
You’re fast! π
Making your kids shoot milk from the nostrils is ALWAYS good parenting advice! It’s something we should all strive to do more often.
(Now bring on the potty advice….that’s what we need now…)
I’d love to have a “Mom Dork Dance” dance-off sometime.
Laughing together is so important and really does the soul good. Plus there are all the neat memories of laughter in general and over specific incidents.
I have enjoyed reading your blog for some time now, and especially the Works-for-Me entries! Thanks for the reminder to laugh with our children! We all need more of that!
I totally agree about laughing. It’s good for the brain and the relationship.
We laugh a lot,too. And I am sure your dance can’t be any worse than Elaine’s. :>)
What a great reminder, Shannon, to keep things in perspective with laughter!
Thanks for hosting this theme. I am excited to read all the tips.
Outstanding advice, Shannon. Laughter is the best medicine in so many situations.
And I’d love to see the Dork Dance. Care to YouTube?
I want to see the Dork Dance, too. π
laughing is very good!
blessings…
Y’all. You’re NOT going to see the dork dance. It ain’t happenin’. But thank you for asking.
Aw shucks! I was really hoping to see a YouTube of the dork dance — I need some inspiration. I’ve never made milk come out of my daughter’s nose — although I have made her spray Coke all over me and the floor!
Laugher is so important!
And are you sure we can’t see the Dork Dance?
Very jealous of your Blogher time, I would have loved to have met you and said thanks in person for doing the WFMW each week–I still remember the thrill of seeing how many visitors I had when I participated that first time. You should have seen it, “Andrew, there have been at least 50 people at my blog today–all because of Shannon!!” π
Laughter is very healthy too!! See you are making them healthy. I want to see the dance.
Oh Amen sista! Amen.
I think I have a few things I’ve done to inspire laughter that I wouldn’t be describing to anyone, either!!
This week’s theme is a great idea – I can’t wait to read all the entries!
Great advice. Laughter is a great thing in so many situations, although I’m the type of geek that laughs at times when I shouldn’t, especially at work. It is really fun to make my kids laugh, though.
Oh no Mr Linky went away while I was typing mine up. It can be found here:
http://homeschoolblogger.com/NeverAlone/366135/
Hey, where’d the links go? They were here a few minutes ago when I posted mine…
Mine is here. Where did Mr. Linky go? I guess I’ll come back in the morning to re-post.
Oh dear, how annoying to have the links disappear. I was trying so hard to finish before there were tons of people posting. Now I’ll be late (by the time I get up in the morning – ha).
Here’s my link:
Traveling w/Children
Here’s my link about enjoying your children and breastfeeding: http://simplyclassical.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/enjoy-your-children/
http://adventuresinjuggling.blogspot.com/2007/07/battle-picking.html
a long, long, long time ago in a land far, far awy, i discovered as mommy to my now 20 year old, that although children NEED, CRAVE, WANT structure they sometimes don’t think they want it. In order for my now 20 year old to take the much needed afternoon nap i had to let her think she wasn’t really napping. no, she was just having quiet tme on ber bed with her barbies….she always fell asleep but don’t tell her that! fast forward 20 years later and little brother thinks the same way. he is too old/big for a nap….only babies take a nap! fine, i tell him. then he can sit with his cuddle toy and watch a movie. the opening credits scarcely roll by and he is snozzing away.
the lesson learned is pick your battels carefully, adapt and adjust accordingly and in th grand scheme remeber you are the parent, tehy are he child. be there for them, meet their basic needs (even nap time) and love thm always, always.
once again, mommy dearest has won the nap time war but please don’t tell my son.
No Mr. Linky this week? I finally started a second blog since we locked down my original “family” blog with a password for security’s sake (pics of kids). This is my first “real” post on the new blog. π
http://rbtrout.blogspot.com/2007/08/wfmw-mini-trampoline.html
http://twolittlevikings.blogspot.com/2007/08/wfmw-taking-turns-with-two.html
Well, I’m glad I’m not crazy. The first few commenters weren’t mentioning it. Mine is general, but was indeed some Great Advice that I received and try to remember when I am making decisions.
(Um, weren’t mentioning the lack of Mr. Linky)
http://georgiamom.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/wfmw-parenting-advice/
Love it! Laughter will go a long way!
Sorry that Mr. Linky is acting up again! Here’s my link:
http://airmiles.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/wfmw-parenting/
Parenting Advice From a Kanga Who’s Been There.
http://friedokra4me.blogspot.com/2007/07/wfmw-take-it-from-kanga-whos-been-there.html
Mine is here. Kids help clean.
My guaranteed way to make the kids laugh? When they are trying so hard to frown or pout, I just say, don’t you laugh, don’t you even think of it, don’t even smile a little bit – it automatically breaks the tension.
Your post was timely for me, as my boys were being pistols last night. I promise to laugh with them tonight…we could have used a bit of that last evening before bedtime.
http://stretchmarkmama.blogspot.com/2007/07/works-for-me-wednesday-bedtime-routine.html
I’m reposting my link here until Mr. Linkie comes back up. This one is too important to miss. Please everyone, come read it.
http://aroundtheisland.blogspot.com/2007/07/wfmw-inflammatory-breast-cancer.html
Here’s my link – I write about playdates:
http://2passthetorch.com/2007/07/31/playdates-a-moms-best-friend/
http://tonsofsons.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/wfmw-keep-kids-toys-contained/
I love your advice I think it’s so true. I thought up some advice on potty training. Potty training was so much harder than I ever thought it would be!
http://lookmomlook.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/my-greatest-parenting-advice/
Looking forward to reading the other entries. Here’s mine:
http://withoutfear07.blogspot.com/2007/08/this-is-themed-week-at-shannons-place.html
I agree 100%. There is rarely a day here where we don’t laugh together. VERY important so thanks for sharing.
(no MrLinky?)
My tip is a way to stop the bickering. Check it out here: http://tracymicheleunplugged.blogspot.com/2007/08/wfmw-stop-bickering.html
Here is my entry.
http://perfectlycrazylife.blogspot.com/2007/08/works-for-me-wednesday-parenting.html
It contains a website full of info from a mom of 10.
They say laughter is the best medicine!!! That is so true isn’t it!
Where, oh where, is Mr. Linky? Here’s link to my post about creating special memories… http://homeschoolmama.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/wfmw-make-memories/
I did get in on mr linky last night but if my link has forever disappeared with him here it is again…
http://happywonderer.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/wfmw-parenting-tip-august-1st/
Mr. Linky was there when I was here last night–I was #18. I wonder when he dropped out …
Anyway, here is my tip on taming the interruption monster:
http://forbetterforworseforlife.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/slightly-less-irritating-interruptions/
Here is my link for some baby/toddler/boy advice.
http://fullofboys.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/works-for-me-wednesday-parenting-edition/
Man the one week I am #2 on Mr. Linky and it disappears. You can read my advice here: http://thediaperdiaries.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/works-for-me-wednesday-its-normal/
I was able to put my tip up on Mr. Linky last night, but here’s my link just in case he’s gone for good.
http://katysflowers.blogspot.com/2007/07/works-for-me-wednesday-parenting-advice.html
Thanks for doing this Shannon! I know this can be quite a headache sometimes!
Thanks for this great advice.
Here’s mine!
I’ll check back in case Mr. Linky returns from his vacation, and repost. Until then, here are my four best pieces of parenting advice:
Mama Says Parenting Edition
I have a post here about a job chart for the summer. You know, get those kids to work. You can find it at http://paige.ericksonfamily.com/2007/06/04/job-chart/
My advice for parents of toddlers can be found here.
Enjoy those babies!
http://www.typepad.com/t/app/weblog/post?id=37133224&saved_changes=1&blog_id=633844
Oops – I made a normal WFMW post on organising your magazine clippings.
http://organisingtips.blogspot.com/2007/08/organise-your-magazine-clippings.html
Oooops – that’s the wrong link. Try this!
Enjoy those babies. At Musings of a Housewife – http://musingsofahousewife.typepad.com/musings_of_a_housewife/2007/08/works-for-me-we.html
I don’t see mr. linky so here is my link-
http://yestheyareallmine.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/wfmw-great-parenting-advice/
All for His glory, ~Rhen
Ribbon Storage:
http://inquicksand.blogspot.com/2007/08/wfmw.html
Here is mine:
Extra Money
http://mamasaidso.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/wfmw-extra-money/
Here’s my entry.
http://zamejias.blogspot.com/2007/08/wfmw-munching-merrily.html
Here’s my tip about Tic Tacs!
http://www.thenaturalmommy.com/2007/08/01/works-for-me-tic-tacs/
Bye-Bye Boo-Boos
http://mccurdygirl29.blogspot.com/2007/07/works-for-me-wednesday-bye-bye-boo-boo.html
Here’s my post about not hovering when your kids are small and discouraging them:
http://insertwittybloghere.blogspot.com/2007/08/works-for-me-wednesday-parenting.html
I’m also doing another giveaway this week!
Here’s mine about different parenting methods:
http://nuttierthanyou.blogspot.com/2007/08/works-for-me-wednesday-parenting-advice.html
My post is at http://rejoicinginhope.blogspot.com/2007/08/bedtime-schedule.html
ok, so I totally didn’t realize it was themed….here is my parenting advice……on parenting advice!
http://mamasaidso.wordpress.com/
I love the inside jokes that I share with my kids. Great tip! Thanks for hosting!
Mine is here:
http://all-4-thebest.blogspot.com/2007/08/wfmw-parenting-advice-edition.html
Heather L.
Here’s my link again–since I have teens down to toddlers, I have tips in three categories: for parents of little ones, tweens and teens!
Thnks everybody. Here’s some advice from a mother of eight.
Being silly is so important. I remember one day that I clucked like a chicken for like an hour…my kids are always thinking I am just crazy. Here’s my link:
http://penguinsandladybugs-allrolledintoone.blogspot.com/2007/08/wfmw-car-games.html
I listed some short games I play with the kiddos on the way to school.
Here’s my advice on “Breaking all of the Rules” http://www.northofthe49.com/blog/?p=159
I posted my parenting advice!
My link is
Lines From The Vine
Thanks Again!
Tracy
mr linkey? where art thou?
Mommy Zabs- Train your child….
http://www.mommyzabs.com/wfmw-train-your-child-the-way/
Thanks for sharing that…I’ll have to try something like that with my kids. They would probably faint and fall out!
Thanks for the theme! I added my link about how I taught my babies to sleep through the night.
My e key is acting up again, so I’ll make it short and sweet. I hope y’all appreciate it, because just try typing with no e key. It’s not fast and it’s not fun.
:p
Here’s my post, a little funny and a little serious. Hope it helps save someone else’s kitten from being rolled in pastry.
Laughter is good for the mommy too, don’t you think? There are few things better, in my estimation, than hearing your child laugh!
Here’s mine in case Mr. Linky goes to Mr. Wonky!
http://nancourtsheart.blogspot.com/2007/08/wfmw-give-them-wings-and-roots.html
I just held out – knew you would get to it Shannon.
Thanks looks like there is loads of advice up there already.
Thanks for hosting. Regardless of how experienced we may think we are we can always learn from others. Except that I just contradicted my own post. π
We’ll be wating for you to break down and post a video of the dance. :^)
Mine’s on stopping automatic toilets.
Thanks for this challenging & thought provoking issue, so many people will be touched & more informed…
This is so true! Only the gravest of situations can’t be changed with a little humor. (Although I give everyone permission to do a dork dance at my wake…in about 45 years.)
Once, my husband was all bent out of shape because a can of cashews had somehow ‘vanished.’ So he’s yelling, “who took my d*m*ed n*ts?” I mean, really…like we weren’t supposed to start cracking up over that? So now it’s a running joke in our house. Yes, we are a weird family. Maybe I should learn the dork dance…
Oooh I loves me the idea of a dork dance. I was born dorky.
Thanks for this!
Shannon, I’ve given you an award on my blog.
I thought my mom invented the dork dance : )
WOW! Some excellent advice there! Thanks everyone!
Hi Shannon!
If you get a chance, go to Crosswalk.com and check out “Father Summer Road Rules” (go under parenting). It’s right up your alley and sense of humor — you’ll get a kick out of it! Laughter is SO good for us.
Great post.
Sandy
Love this list! I may not always post but I still read through even if I don’t post, thanks for hosting it, it’s great!
great post. i totally agree… laughter works. my husband and i are kinda goofy and definitely young at heart, so the laughter came naturally. sometimes the contrast between my kids and their friends is great and i can see where laughter goes further than i had ever thought.
That just brought back a HUGE memory for me! My dad also has a “dork dance” that I saw in my head the second I read those words. He’d also flare his nostrils at me when I was trying to be serious, and I just couldn’t handle it.
Thank you for reminding me to thank him. π
I’d do funny things too, with my little one…sometimes, when I feel I’m too uptight already, I’d always make it a point to remember to shriek “Tickle!”..Better to have a “tickle” fight than anything unpleasant.
I read just about everyone of these….your topics are great….and I look for to Wednesdays with you, thanks
Ahh – we can all use parenting tips! Thanks for this topic!
Blessings,
Mandi
My post must have been lost in the crash? Oh well I will just re- use it next week:)
OOPS! I found me # 127 π I am used to seeing a smiley face next to mine.
Sorry!
Love the list wonderful ideas here