In which I share what I learned from our daughter

Our daughter, the Teacher

I am a blessed mama and have learned a lot since becoming a parent.  I have three awesome daughters, but today, I'd like to talk about my oldest daughter, who happens to be a teacher,  and what I have learned by being her parent.


1.  Don't talk or ask questions in the mornings. Elissa is not a morning person. She does not want to engage in conversation when she first gets up.  (She really would like a good hour before you say anything.)  I am a morning person.  I am happiest in the morning and would like to share all manner of jokes, girl talk and plans for the day.  I have learned not to do this ... except in my head.

2.  Google it.  As most firstborn children are, Liss is our tech support person.  She is the one who fixes the VCR, teaches us how to use our phones when we upgrade, and generally knows what to do when we mess up our computers.  Why, she even sets our watches for us when the time changes!  (Why must they put military time on digital watches?)  Now that she is grown and lives away from home, she would like to not have to come over to fix things. She is always telling us to "google it."  It doesn't matter what we want to know, "google it," is her answer.  Even if it is not technical stuff, she feels like you can google the question and something will come up to answer you.  (She is right!)

3.  Always match your clothes - extra points for matching underwear and nail polish to the outfit you are wearing that day.  Our daughter is the queen of matching.  Her students are amazed and point out daily how what she is wearing matches.  She is filled with wonder that matching is not a priority with most people.  She is all, "Why wouldn't you want to match your clothes?  It's not that hard."

4.  Never wear black shoes with navy clothes. Apparently, this is one of the worst fashion faux pas you could commit.

5.  Do not let things be "cluttery." Visual clutter drives her crazy.  She is close to being a minimalist, and keeps her house as uncluttered as possible.  While I have different taste, it is true that she has rubbed off on me and I don't use as many decorations at one time as in the past.

6.  If you say something negative about someone (even yourself) you have to say two nice things. This practice is one of the hallmarks of her teaching.  Everyone that knows her knows she will ask them to say two nice things if they have been negative.  I love it!  I think this is definitely a great thing to do and influences the students who perhaps have not been taught to speak uplifting things.

The other day, at dinner, I said something negative and she immediately asked me to say two nice things ... Isn't that special?

This post was written in response to Writer's Workshop prompt  4.) List 6 things you've learned from your oldest child.

Q4U:  What have your children taught you?  Leave a comment or link up at Kat's blog, Mama's Losin' It.