Shaun Groves
I want one kid without a backbone. I want one child who isn’t confident and assertive (aka bossy).
Just one.
I’d watch my push-over child play with your child beautifully – never telling your child where to stand or what to pretend to be. Heck, your kid could even tell my spineless child where to stand and what to pretend to be. My child would just say “OK.” Just “OK.”
I want one kid like this. One follower, people pleaser, fearful little compromiser. Because three of the opposite are wearing me out. Just today. Just for the last few hours.
And this is the dirty secret parents never tell their children for fear that they’ll be spanked by a therapist someday, possibly on national television: Parents love their children but they don’t always like them.
And this sour truth makes love more of a miracle than the sweet lie we grow up believing.
RevJeff says:
Those who doubt the “original sin” doctrine have never met a young child.
Jacoline says:
Hi Shaun,
It was great meeting you & Becky in Ireland!! Hope you enjoyed the short trip.
Just looking at some photo’s Robin made, it’s cool to see everything back although it seems like it was today.
Anyway just thought I drop you a line so you have my blog address as well
By the way thanks for all the suggestions! I’m definitely going to call some people.
Say hi to Becky!
Jacoline
ps:Your daughter is so cute!!But you probably know
Toby says:
Shaun,
I have 3 independent children, one of which seems to be more of a follower. I stress much more about the follower, because I know that the other two are only going to do what they want to do so I can assume they are responsible, probably the masterminds, for the dumb they choose. The follower clusters more and as she gets older the influence of others worries me. Fortunately at this time she has good friends, but what about when she hits middle school? AHHHH
aaron says:
welcome back home daddy!
Some days are sweet….other just plain stink!
Nancy Tyler says:
Those of us who weren’t blessed with parenthood would love to have your problems Shaun, just for once…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
…But only once. After that, we’d be glad to give them right back to you.
drummer chris says:
That’s amazing, I had to make sure I hadn’t guest blogged here, the words could easily have been my own!
( and unfortunately, I’m sometimes on the receiving end of the “I love you, but don’t like you very much” from my wife)
Shaun Groves says:
Great idea, Nancy! It’s a deal: the next time you’re in Nashville you can baby sit. Thanks for offering.
Nancy Tyler says:
Deal. Just make sure the little one is completely housebroken. You have until April to work on that.
Sweet niblets! Your kids and I will have the awesomest time watching a Hannah Montana DVD marathon, complemented by all manner of processed cheese food and other snackies, fresh from my hotel vending machine.
krissy says:
Ha! It’s their way of welcoming you home dad!
Shaun Groves says:
Is that an organic vending machine by any chance?
Nancy Tyler says:
Munchos and Funyons ARE organic.
And see, this I think is the whole problem. You keep feeding those kids Raw Things and of course they’re going to have energy enough to be bossy and headstrong and whatnot. But give ‘em a little Red Dye #5 and some corn syrup, and they won’t have the strength to do more than hit the buttons on the TV remote.
Shaun Groves says:
Thank you, doctor Tyler. How much do I owe you for changing my life?
Nancy Tyler says:
Some things are just worthless.
I mean priceless.
Forever His Clay says:
I was one of those spinless kids. Afraid, fearful, and did whatmy only best friend ever told me. Then it hit me, I had a controling friend who made me into a doormat, it took me awhile to get away from that.
Don’t forget, doormats are more dependent, you’d never have a moment alone.
alan says:
Shaun,
This might open up an entirely new can or worms, but I’m the middle of three boys and while we were all independent, I don’t recall any of us ever being “bossy”. Now our 10 year old son is independent, but not bossy. Then there’s our 4 year old daughter. All that we learned with our son, we’ve had take and throw out the window with her. Let’s just say, I think that “bossy” trait is more prevalent in females.
Shaun Groves says:
Alright, ladies, sic him!
Aims says:
Scuse me?! Okay so maybe the only way we became bossy was because you BOYS made us this way! Ya know it’s a man’s world out there we gotta fight for what we want while you guys just take whatever opportunity laid at your feet. So of course we’re gonna be bossy when we’re small, it’s the only time we can get away with it! When we’re older we either suck up, sleep around, or work our butts off to get a promotion handed to you on a silver platter!!!
How was that? Was that a good fake scolding?
FzxGkJssFrk says:
I’m feelin’ you, Shaun. Seriously.
I will say, though, that it gives me worlds of respect for my wife, who deals with our children’s shenanigans all day, every day, pretty much. And I’m wasted after just two hours of dealing with them.
revJeff – Amen. I’ve been saying that for a while now.
Aims – yikes…
alan says:
Aims-Fake or not, I’d say that was convincing enough.
FzxGkJss-Amen!
alan says:
My apologies for cutting off the last part of your name FzxGkJssFrk. The battery in my laptop croaked and when I hooked the power cord up I didn’t realize I hadn’t finished typing your name yet.
West says:
I swear…they’re the most wonderful and biggest pains in the butt at the same time……I have the same number of thickheaded little buggars in my house. There is one that can be a pleaser one second but you turn around and he’s doing exactly what HE wants to do.
Love this post…sent it to the wife.
Cristy says:
Sorry girls (and Shaun), I gotta agree with Alan. I see it in my house, I see it where I work, and I see it in the difference between my sons and my nieces. I think women see what needs to be done and take charge to make sure it’s done, and that’s perceived as being bossy. Not necessarily a bad thing if you ask me.