My kids aren’t miniature versions of me {and I love it}

An interesting thing happens when you have a baby. Everyone immediately starts putting job titles on them “she’s a mini ballerina” “he’s going to grow up to be a great scientist” and other various statements, that really make no sense in the context of an infant.

Even as they grow, people start to assume that the kids will follow in the footsteps of their parents. Mommy is a writer so the kids get asked if they will write too.

We naturally see ourselves in our kids, for better and for worse.

I’m thankful for Honey Bunches of Oats through the Mom it Forward network for sponsoring our conversation about families and their diversity today! 

I can tell you that our son is prone to staying up late working on projects (those his are of the toy-building brick variety) just like his mama.

That our daughter will do anything to make some one laugh, just like her daddy.

Our son gets up with the sun just like his daddy, while our daughter could stay in bed all morning, just like mama!

It’s interesting to point these things out, but there’s something I love more than seeing how my kids are like me and my husband and that’s seeing the ways that they are unique.

Though they share some of our traits, it’s fascinating to see the things that make them unique, even in our own family. There are things each of my children add to our family dynamic that I could never add, and we’d never experience without them. 

While there are countless negative attributes each of us possess, I’m going to focus on the positive ones here… 

When sister is sad or disappointed about something, no one is able to help distract her, or care for her needs like her big brother. Mommy and daddy may offer hugs, but brother loves to find a solution for what is ailing her, usually in the most loving and selfless of ways.

He’s innovative and he loves to create little inventions with literally anything he can find.

When brother is needing more excitement in his days, sis is able to provide the most active, fun game ever. Typically in a way my husband and I never would have thought about.

And don’t get me started on her fashion sense. She certainly doesn’t get that from me or dad!

When either child is facing a challenge, my husband is so patient and kind, while also challenging them to do their best and handle responsibilities they can manage.

And I bring the organization and routine to our schedule as we juggle who needs to be where.

Each of us has different strengths, just as our weakness are never quite the same either. But it’s beautiful to see when I stop and think how we all mesh together.

In our family I’ve started working while my husband takes on the stay-at-home-parent a little bit more, but it’s been amazing to see how it works for our family. Plays to every one strengths, while also bringing new challenges to the table. But regardless of who is doing what, we have it all covered.

And our kids, well they’re learning to find their own paths. My husband and I switching “roles” in a home management sense has showed us how much we were unintentionally teaching the kids to be mini versions of us. Making them think that when they grow up their days will look exactly like ours do.

But the beauty of mixing things up has been that they each can clearly see, by example that they can grow into whatever they wish to be. Maybe they’ll be writers like mommy, or maybe they’ll do shipping like daddy used to do. But more likely than either of those, they’ll find their own path and do what suits them best.

I hope that what they learn growing up in our house is how we all need each other. Both in the home and outside of it. That different people have different strengths and things work so much better when we’re able to nurture those strengths in one another and help through the weaker bits. Complimenting family members and taking on the tasks that make the most sense, while also filling in gaps that need to be filled that day.

Every family that I know jives a little bit differently. People “make it work” in a variety of ways… There are times that I look at the way another family grows together and think to myself “I could NEVER live like that”, just as I’m sure they do the same when they see how our family grows and thrives together.

In our own families we are unique and in the way that we interact with friends and people outside our own homes.

Seeing the beauty in all the options is fun, and knowing that together we have a little bit of everything and can always learn and grow from one another, even if we wouldn’t want to walk in the other person’s shoes.

What got me really thinking about the diversity in our families was a fun project we did with Honey bunches of Oats this week. Their new This. Is. Everything™ initiative has been a fun to look at, and making a video together was definitely a highlight. ——> see our video here.

If you want to see your kids smile, show them a commercial starring themselves! They even get to decorate their part of the video with different stickers. Let’s just say that even if it WASN’T a sweepstakes entry that you can do every day through Halloween this year, they would STILL want to be doing it everyday. (Let’s just not tell them that every video represents a chance to win $10,000).

It turns out Honey Bunches of Oats is kinda like a family in a bowl. There’s a little bit of everything, crispy flakes, crunchy oat clusters, and that sweet touch of honey it’s not one thing, it’s EVERYTHING. Plus, it comes in 12 flavors, so there’s that. Our family fave is the almond version followed closely by the strawberry flavor! They have a variety for every taste preference though, so you’re sure to find your own fave!

While you munch, be sure to enter the GIVEAWAY here. Simply make your own This. Is. Everything.™ video here, and put a link in the comment on my blog. Each time you do you’ll be entered to win a $75 visa gift card and a box of Honey Bunches of Oats! …. That’s in addition to the fact that creating your own personalized video by uploading your pictures is an entry into the huge sweepstakes. #winning! You can see all the official sweepstakes rules here. And don’t forget to grab Honey Bunches of Oats next time you’re at the store.

As you leave your video comment, I’d also love to know what makes your kids unique and stand out in your family! Leave a comment and let me know!