Great Expectations

Daniel and I have Great Expectations. No, not the book by Charles Dickens. We do have several copies, but that's not my topic today. I'm talking about our expectations for Sara and Owen.

Daniel and I are relatively smart people (most of the time), but we have operated under a completely inane ideology for the past 14 years. We have raised our children with the assumption that they would learn from us, our mistakes and successes, and that they would have a head start in life by not having as many opportunities to "screw up". I am just now realizing how contrary that is to other choices we've made. Consider this: we have never been ones to rush the kids to the doctor for general viruses, colds, and the like. Most of the time we allow these things to run their course and, as a result, our kids have had very few visits to the doctor. We're not panickers. The fever, when treated with Tylenol, rest, and fluids, will come down. The cold will go away in about 7-10 days with the same Tylenol, rest, and fluids.
However, with behavior, we're panickers. Both kids have been well-behaved most of their lives. We had very few meltdowns in public places, they've never been fighters, they don't break things, etc. We have grown accustomed to them being more mature than their years so on those occasions when they do act their ages, I think we panic. At least, I think we have lately.

Since Christmas break, both kids have been a little more rambunctious than usual. Owen has gotten a few behavioral checks from his teachers, and Sara has gotten a couple of e-mails home from hers. Neither one has done anything really serious. No, in-school suspensions or out-of-school suspensions, no parent conferences, nothing in their permanent records. But, still, for two people who think "Thou shalt be responsible" is the lost Commandment, this has been a BIG deal. Maybe it has been too big of a deal. They're great kids. The Lord has blessed us tremendously with Sara and Owen. They're bright, they're kind (mostly), and they love God. That should be the big deal this weekend. I'm going to try to make that my focus, not the fact that they talk in class a little more than they should or forget to be as responsible as a forty year old.

Sara and Owen, if you're reading this, your Dad and I love you, we realize you're imperfect (just as we are), but we still have great expectations for you. So stop talking in class, don't forget your manners, and try to be more responsible. We're likely going to get to Heaven before you and we may get that commandment reinstated after all.