By Sam Tsosie

Yes, I get that the title may offend some people or even make them angry. But I’ve been noticing a trend that has become hard to ignore, over-functioning parents. We’ve all seen this, a mom or dad doing EVERYTHING for their child, running around like a chicken with their head cut off. Everything is a special occasion to these parents, every milestone is celebrated, no matter how normal or mundane. Remember “The Incredibles”? Mr. Incredible (Bob Parr) has a great line in that movie:
Helen Parr tells her husband Bob that he cannot miss their son, Dashiell “Dash” Parr’s graduation.
Bob Parr: It’s not a graduation. He’s moving from the 4th grade to the 5th grade.
Helen Parr: It’s a ceremony.
Bob Parr: It’s psychotic! They keep creating new ways to celebrate mediocrity.
I totally agree with this. And I only bring this up because I coach U6 soccer and I am trying to find a way to reward the kids for participating. In the past, when my kids participated in non-competitive sports they received trophies. While well-intended, I think that is ridiculous. I was planning on just handing out certificates and pizzas. But, some parents expect more and so I opted for medals with the child and team name. Ugh.
My approach to parenting is similar to working for a company. I do what’s needed and get the job done so I can enjoy my time. I also try to NOT get yelled at by my wife.
Examples:
”You didn’t brush her hair? And you took her out like that?”
”Those clothes don’t match!”
“Where ARE THE KIDS SHOES?!”
and my personal favorite
“Stop sneezing!”
Yes I am guilty to being a bit sloppy and a tad lazy, but being home with the kids is challenging.
I am active in both my kids’ activities; I even take my daughter to ballet class and commiserate with the other moms. Sometimes I feel like Steve Carrell’s character in the movie “Despicable Me,” when he attends his adopted daughters’ ballet class. Is it obvious that I watch too many kids’ movies?

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