Monday, April 21, 2014

Life Lessons From The Irish

I never intended to take a month long blogging break but suddenly having an additional child to look after, completely changes your perspective.  We were so lucky with our exchange student, he is kind, polite, considerate, funny, thoughtful, and full of energy.  I did everything in my power to make sure his experience here in the United States was nothing short of amazing.  This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for these 5 boys from Donegal and I wanted to make sure that at least my student, went home feeling like he missed out on nothing.

This was a learning experience for me as well, I walked away from this with a few life lessons


1. Does not matter the age, race, where you live, boys will always need their moms or mums

I took this as a big compliment, one of my Irish son's (Evin) friend hung out at our house so much he started calling me his American mum.




2. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
I was in a very bad habit with my kids of not really making breakfast.  My kids would usually pour themselves a big bowl of sugary cereal then they were out the door.  I knew with a house guest I had to prepare a proper meal, so every morning I would make a big breakfast bacon and eggs, sausage and belgium waffles, etc.  My son asked if I was still going to make breakfast once Evin left, of course now it is part of my morning ritual.


3. High school boys like girls



4. And high school boys like fast cars
pretty much in that order.



5.  We have an abundance of things to do and great restaurants in our city

and all it takes for us to realize this, is an out of town guest.



6. I will never win my war with dirty laundry

Having 1 extra child for some reason quadrupled my dirty laundry.  I found serenity and just accepted the fact that there will ALWAYS be dirty clothes to wash, wet clothes to dry, clean clothes to fold, and clothes to be put away.



7. High school boys have enormous appetites
I have cooked more bacon this past month then I care to remember.


8. You want the house where the kids hang out
You want to know what they are up to, who they are hanging with and where they are going.  If they are at someone else's home you will never know these answers.


9. The best way to have that house,  junk food on hand always




10.  Being a parent is a privilege and should always be a priority



3 comments:

  1. So glad it all worked out fabulous for everyone Jill....Evin sounds lovely and Donegal is a great part of the country! I only cook bacon and eggs at the weekend,too much of a rush on weekday mornings in our house:)
    ~Anne xx

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  2. Love this!! And I'll have to remember all this in a couple years when mine are teenagers. (tears) :-)

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  3. Sounds like you had a super busy yet lovely time with Evin. Maybe some day you and your family will get to visit his home town....

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