Why can’t I have a normal mom?
Guess which one of my kids said that. If we go by age only, Jack at age ten still thinks I’m very cool. Donny has grown into an appreciative perspective of me because now he knows how difficult it can be to live independently and have responsibility. My responsibilities put him in awe. Kira is too young to say it.
That leaves two awkward teenagers as potential candidates. Incidentally, once it was blurted out, “why can’t I have a normal mom!” they both agreed on the statement. Continuing in line with age as an indicator, the fourteen year old is far more annoyed with mom than a nearly seventeen year old. Jordan is just coming out of the stage that Kevin is entering.
We are a heavily teasing family, and Kevin gives us optimum reasons for a good tantalizing pokej, as he’s all confused by burgeoning adolescence. Every human goes through it. It’s all in good fun, and he keeps his sense of humor about him. But the slightest thing will spill him over. If I touch him without invitation he flinches. Don’t touch me! Golly. Of course, that means I begin to maul him, inviting the whole family to join me. This is my tactic for desensitization.
I guess being a “normal” mom in his eyes means I would just leave him alone. Aww. That’s no fun. I wouldn’t get to see his face transition into four shades of pink. Everyone gets equal teasing in our family, but if you over react it intensifies the focus on you. He’ll figure that out just in time for Jack to turn fourteen and be disgusted with me. Kevin will look down at Jack and think, I survived her, you will too. Some day, their kids will all wonder why their parents aren’t normal, and I’ll have a good long giggle.
