Every family, large or small, has their own set of Rules, and many of these rules are roughly the same across the board: no hitting, look both ways before crossing the street, don't eat things off the floor...no matter the number of children, the same rules apply. Big families, however, tend to have some quirky rules that would not be needed otherwise.
Several of the "idiosyncrasies" in this blog series will be related to our own family Rules, and this is the first one: No Common Rocks in the House. I'm not talking about this kind of rock:
—although we do have to limit the number. I'm talking about common rocks. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Gravel.
- Rocks from the woods.
- Rocks faintly shaped like arrowheads.
- Rocks with pretty sparkles.
- Rocks which may look cool when submerged in water.
- Rocks with a stripe in them.
The "reasons" advanced for their specialness are endless, but they are simply not allowed in the house. I believe that this "rule" was first added into our official codified system when Rebekah (when she was much younger) filled her entire top drawer with rocks, almost breaking her dresser.
It has since been amended to "No Common Rocks Or Sticks in the House." Children are allowed, sometimes encouraged, to play with sticks and rocks outside in the yard, but if those sticks and stones cross the threshold of our home, they are liable to seizure, and may be thrown as far into the woods as possible (if a rock), or incinerated (if a stick).
A love of common rocks and sticks seems to be born into children, and I have personally never known a boy who did not have a special stick, whether it was a "spear", a "sword", an "arrow", or a "gun". They will carry them everywhere if allowed, often heedless of where the ends are, presenting a danger to themselves, those around them, and any fragile items in the vicinity. For our family, the balancing point between safety and fun was to ban them from the house, but allow them outside.
Sounds like a reasonable rule. ;) I didn't know that about Rebekah. That's hilarious!
ReplyDeleteOf course, trying to get the kids to put their CLOTHES in their drawers is askbig too much. Lol
ReplyDeleteTwo things to clarify: first, my drawer was not COMPLETELY FILLED with rocks...I had a small bag of them. Second, I'm pretty sure my dresser was never in any danger of breaking. However. Other than those two things, I enjoyed your post very much. ;)
ReplyDeleteAhem. I may have exercised slight hyperbole, but you certainly had more than a small bag! I specifically remember that the bottom of the drawer was sagging dangerously.
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