A hilarious letter from a little girl who "ran away" from home is cracking up parents today -- first because of the author's adorable attempt at spelling, and second because of her reasoning. Says the girl "I am runing away becas you think I farted when I dident. PS You are Mean." Go ahead, laugh. I did.
And then stop and think about the way you laugh at your kids. Especially when they're being super serious.
Kids are hilarious when they're trying to make a point. They can't help it. It's fate, destiny, God's plan, what-evah. There is no way to sit on your couch and watch a 5-year-old stamp her feet and cross her arms over her chest to make a point and not burst out laughing. If you can manage it, I'll award you my entire collection of refrigerator-worthy art, because clearly you are a better mom than I.
What could possibly be that serious at 5? I'll tell you what. Everything. We think they're cute because they ARE. But to them, the fact that the dog ate their last chicken nugget is the WORST THING EVER.
And when we ignore them -- or worse, laugh at them -- they run away because that's the best way they can think of getting our attention. I remember doing it myself, writing a letter for the neighbor kid to deliver to my mother, refusing to return home until she'd agreed not to do something that terrified the pants off of me (I should note I only got as far as the other side of a giant barn-like structure on my parents' property, where I hid with my bag of loot from the kitchen!). In my little pea brain, I thought escaping my house was the best way to show my adult mom that a kid meant business.
We laugh because it's funny, because it's patently ridiculous to put that much energy into bemoaning the fact that the "new" Phineas & Ferb episode is a repeat. But we should be relieved!
I'm glad the worst thing my kid has to cry about is that I forgot to turn on her CD player during the bedtime routine. I'm happy my 6-year-old has yet to face something heavier in what should still be the lightest, happiest time of her life. I want her to still feel like a child and enjoy childhood, but that doesn't mean I should ignore her when she blows the little things (missing Princess Tiana Silly Band anyone?) into something monumental.
Did this letter give you second thoughts about laughing at your kids when they're being ridiculous?
Image via Buzzfeed
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Comments 146
Aww!!
I never laughed at my kids over something like that..... well ummmmm... at least, not in front of them.
I always waited until they left the room and then ran to MY room where I proceeded to laugh my ass off into my pillow so they wouldn't see me or hear me.
I know how upsetting every little thing can be when you're a youngster, but sometimes I forget.
I'm a stay-at-home dad with two girls. A 3 1/2 year old and a 9 month old. My big girl is getting to a REALLY emotional stage, and I often find myself telling her (sometimes rather sternly) "It's not something to cry about!" when she starts to let loose with the tears and wailing over the tiniest thing, generally not remembering that I had pretty severe emotional issues until about the age of 11.
Usually, when I do remember, I'll give her the option of crying it out in another room (NOT a timeout), or sucking it up and doing something else. Her choice is roughly a 60/40 decision to knock off the water works, but sometimes she'll take the crying option.
Sometimes I forget.
Thank you for reminding me.
LOL My son used to tell us "YOU MEAN! YOU STINK" :P Kids say some funny things when they're upset...and it's hard not to laugh when they are trying to be serious and grown up and it totally backfires on them!
that letter is too cute! i remember writing run a way letters when i was younger. i try not to laugh at my boys when they are serious since i dont want to hurt their feelings
Sounds like something my kid did and believe it or not I don't think its funny when My five year old did that, no much the opposite that a cause for time in the bed room..