Legacy

A little while ago, someone somewhere told me something Will Smith had reportedly said. (Stick with me; it gets better.) He said something about how, regardless of anything else, his children will see him run every day and read every day. I've been thinking a lot about this, as I am known to do with all sage advice from Will Smith. It makes me wonder about how my kids see me and what they will learn from me and how it will influence them. I think Will's onto something, but what other things do I want my kids to see me do every day? Pray every day? Make my bed every day? Remain calm every day? I can tell you right now those things aren't happening. It's one of the many reasons I'm terrified by motherhood. I don't want to be known for yelling about messes every day, or saying "I'm going to count to 3!" every day, or sitting at the computer writing my blogs instead of reading them books every day. It's something I need to think about, and start paying attention to. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

It also brings up another subject. How much are you allowed to try to influence your children without being seen as controlling or manipulative and sending them to lifelong therapy? Josh and I have had an ongoing discussion (argument) since we started having children. He insists that, whatever our children decide to be, we should be loving and supportive and encouraging. I insist that I will be all of those things, and they are free to choose between pharmacology and dentistry. Jonah, just yesterday, told me he wants to be a trucker when he gets older. And, if given a choice, I think he'd end up in this illustrious career:


*Extra small clown costume optional.

I know it makes me sound over-bearing and controlling, but the yin and yang of Josh and I is that he's a romantic and I'm a realist. Do I want my sons to be teachers if that's what their heart desires? Of course. Do I want them to have to struggle to make ends meet for their 8 children while doing one of the hardest jobs in existence? You see what I mean? I love ballroom dancers, but I don't want my child to pursue it as a profession. On the other hand, I have extremely talented friends who make a good living being artists and actors and teachers. On the other hand, as much as I hate to admit it, I know it won't really matter what I say.

And, let's face it: I think those kids of Will Smith are really annoying.