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My Funniest Parenting Mistake

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Parenting: It is a most rewarding yet challenging journey; isn’t it? My mother used to tell me to write things down that I wanted to remember about raising my kids because, sooner than I might imagine, a time would come when I would no longer be able to recall things. I used to assure her that my parenting memories were etched deeply in my heart and I would never forget them.

Nowadays, I often have to call my (90-year-old) mother to ask her which of my kids did something or where we were when such-and-such occurred. She just laughs and says, “I told you that you should have written it all down.”

One of my funniest parenting moments, which may not have been so funny at the time took place when I had taken my then 2-year-old son to the emergency room because I was certain he had broken a bone in his lower leg or foot. The ER was extremely chaotic and busy that day. I held my suffering child for more than three hours before our names were called for triage. I did not give him any pain medication before-hand because I did want to mask any symptoms so that the doctor would make a correct diagnosis.

The funny thing (which the lady at the desk did not find humorous at all) happened when it was finally our turn and I sat at the window with my crying child in my arms. The already-cranky woman on the other side of the desk curtly asked, “What is his date of birth?”

That did it. I have 10 kids and two of my sons (one of whom I was holding at the time) have birthdays on the fourteenth day of a month. One is in September and the other is in December. It likely wouldn’t have posed a problem had I not been exhausted after holding a crying child for more than three hours in a crowded emergency room while feeling helpless to relieve his suffering.

I stared blankly at my questioner. She repeated her question. I may have winced a bit before returning another blank stare. That made her angry. She asked for my son’s birth date again and I slowly responded, “Uuuummmm…it’s either September 14th or December 14th…try September first because I think that‘s it. Yeah, try September.“

Now came the if-looks-could-kill-this-lady-would-be-facing-homicide-charges glare. “I thought you said you were this child’s mother,” she grunted. “I am,” I replied with a smile. “Then, why,” she demanded, “do you not know your own son’s birthday?” “Good question,” I chuckled, at which point, she looked at her computer screen where she had been typing and disapprovingly stated, “You were right. It is September. May I see your identification again?”

I know I can’t be the only mother who has been there, done that.
Make me feel better.
What was your funniest parenting mistake?

Writer Bio: Judy Dudich

Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.

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