Do NOT tell my kids...

I am not sure they know other kids misbehave in certain ways. And I certainly dont want them learning this late in the game. It has come to my attention that my kids have NEVER done the following.....

1. Say, "I HATE YOU" to each other or their parents.
Dave and I feared the day this would happen. He always hoped it was when he was at home because he knew I would fall apart. I am happy to say it has never come out of their mouths. They may have thought it but they didnt say it. This is the opposite of me. I said it to my folks, along with worse things, all while stomping up the stairs and slamming my door. I know when I was in college I heard a daughter say it to her mother at the mall and I started crying. I felt horrible that I had ever said those terrible things to my parents. I went home and apologized to my mom. I am not sure if I ever did to my Dad---sorry to both of you!!

2. Feigned illness to get out of school.
This is another thing I did on more than one occasion and probably at least 1 time in every grade in junior high and high school. I know the kids have asked to miss a day of school because they wanted to avoid a test (probably Erin not A.J.) but never just claimed a headache, cramps or a sore throat. In fact, AJ has NEVER missed a day of school due to illness in all 12 years of public school.

3. Hit or kicked or any physical fighting with each other.
AJ is really into rules. He was told as a very young boy that you do not hit, especially girls, so he hasn't and Erin learned by example. This, again, is something I did with my siblings. I would pull my sisters hair. In fact we would each grab on to each others locks and scream "let go, no you let go" all the while neither of us letting go. And with our big brother we would wack him in the back and run like heck. I really don't recall him ever hitting us back. He took lots of abuse from his sisters and handled it with grace!!

I know I am not OUT OF THE WOODS yet but I am nearly there. AJ will be leaving in just 3 months but Erin has much teenage angst ahead of her. If any of these items do crop up I do hope I can remember how lucky I have been.