I've noticed somethings that are so different between my son and some of my friends kids that live primarily in the city. From their immune systems to how they act in general. It's a wide range of differences. So, here is my list of things to keep in mind if you are trying to raise a cute little country feller...
WARNING: Some of these things are strictly country things, DO NOT attempt in the city or in subdivisions...unless you like citations and jail time.
- When nature calls, let him answer.
- Seriously. If you're outside, doing whatever it is that you do outside, and your little boy is running happily around until he comes to a halt and you notice him doing the "I gotta pee RIGHT NOW dance"...let him pee on a tree. For real. Especially if you haven't fully house trained him yet. Just let him go with the flow. Figuratively...and literally. He isn't going to hurt anything, and it drastically improves their aim. I am not kidding right now, you'll think me later.
- If you are in a State Park, do NOT allow your son to do this. It is illegal and those tour guides do NOT like it. Trust me. As hilarious and fun as it may seem for your 3 year old to pee off the side of the Grand Canyon, restrain him. Then hand him to your fastest runner and pray he can hold it. I know this from experience.
- God made dirt, so dirt won't hurt.
- I've consumed my fair share of dirt/mud in my younger days. As did my sister. And so has my son. Granted, it's not always intentional that you eat it, sometimes it just happens. So, if you catch your precious son making and eating mud pies, don't reprimand him too much. He'll be fine. Probably should make sure you keep a close eye on what it is that he's mixing in with that mud though.
- What else are you supposed to do with a rain puddle, mud puddle, puddles in general...but stomp in them, roll around in them...of course.
- If you have caught your son jumpin' in puddles until his jeans are completely soaked, or riding his bike through a puddle until he has a mud speckled back, then you're doing something right. One, he can ride a bike, I can barely do that. And two, he's doing what all little boys need to do sometimes. So what if he rolls around in it and probably is getting it in his mouth. Can't be no worse than eating mud pies. And everybody knows that a good cup of rain water makes those mud pies go down faster. Invest in rain boots, or gum boots. It'll save you money in socks.
- In general, LET HIM GET DIRTY!!
- I have two thoughts on this actually...
- First thought is that clothes are washable. And replaceable. Let him mess them up. When they're young enough to WANT to go outside and play in the dirt, they're growing so fast that this is probably the 3rd and final time he's going to wear those $20 jeans anyways. Let him get good and dirty. I mean, covered head to toe in mud and water and God knows what else...then spray him off with the water hose and let him air dry. No kidding. It's fun.
- Second thought is longer...Of all my friends with kids, I am the only one raising her child to be a country heathen. And that's a lie. He's not going to be a heathen, just a wild, free, little country boy. All of them have perfectly dressed, "I can't touch dirt", fantastically groomed, clean as a whistle little boys. And they're precious. Then in comes my child in gum boots, jeans tucked in them, a random T-Shirt, with his T-Ball cap on backwards screaming "MOMMMMMMA!!! I'm gonna go find me some worms!!!". And their kids are often scared. Literally. Or the momma's are. But my son, my son has been sick twice this year, and has only had antibiotics once in his entire 6 years of life. Their kiddo's? Most have taken antibiotics AT LEAST once a year, every year, since the first year of life. Some take antibiotics more often a year. My son also rarely has colds, or the flu, or any other sickness. Whereas the others? Always sick, especially after playing with new kids or going to a new babysitter/daycare. So, in my opinion, there IS something good in letting your kids play in mud and creeks and Lord help us if we ever find out what else. Builds up their antibodies at a young age..in my opinion. I don't know though, I don't have a Ph.D, I'll fake it though.
- Let him shoot stuff.
- Now, I'm not saying go out and arm your posse of neighborhood kids. I'm saying if they decide to play cops and robbers/cowboys and Indians...it's ok for them to point a plastic gun at each other and play dead. Just teach them that with toy guns, it's ok. But real guns, it's a big no-no. They will understand more than you think. And I'm sure nobody is leaving loaded guns laying around for their kids to play with. If you need some plastic guns to try out...comment. I've got a whole arsenal. Some, complete with caps that will bust your eardrum allllll day long.
- Also, if your bumpkin in training decides he wants to go hunting. Teach him. There is a million different ways to go about this, from classes to a crazy uncle. Er, nix the crazy part... It's good for him to be outside more often and to wait for different hunting seasons to come around, it's better than him sitting around playing one video game and waiting for another to be released. Also teaches him responsibility in a wildly different way.
- Check his pockets...
- Seriously. If you're already past all the upper points, then check those pockets. Because before too long, he'll be cramming every frog, worm and lizard that's not fast enough into them. (NOTE:: worms that have been through a complete washer and dryer cycle are really REALLY hard to get off other clothes once they've come out of said pockets...learning experience. Once this happens one time, you'll check his pockets FOREVER!)
- When he brings home some little wonderfully slimy critter, it's ok for him to keep it a couple days. Just explain to him how said "pet" needs to go home to its family after a while. We've had worms, lizards, a million frogs, fish and lord knows how many lighting bugs take up residence in our house because of Brendon. Teach him that some animals are ok to pick up, but some (snakes, spiders, other things that can be deadly) are not. Show him pictures of these animals and explain why they're "No-No's". But don't be surprised if he brings you a garter snake and promptly demands you find a home for "Frankle" so he can stay in YOUR house...yeah, good luck with that...
- Let him strip down.
- If he's outside, and you have no close or creepy neighbors, it's ok for him to run around with just his shorts on. Or, in my son's case up until he was 5.5, just his unders. I'm not sure what the urgency and/or desire to be outside half nude is for a male, but they never truly outgrow that. Get used to it. It's ok. Especially if it just rained and there is a big ole mud hole in the front yard. One less shirt you gotta wash.
- Let him go barefoot. And if its been awhile for you...go barefoot with him.
- Get him a dog.
- No boy is complete without a dog. Get him a big ole mutt, or a long eared coon hound. Best dogs for a little boy ever. They'll be best friends, and that dog will protect him more than you think. They'll always be by each others side, and have each others back. It's a precious thing, to watch your son sitting outside playing in the dirt with an old coon dog laying out in the son keeping a watchful eye on him. There's no greater bond than between that of a boy and his dog or a boy and his brother. But a dog doesn't take his toys, and a dog can't tattle on him. It also teaches them responsibility at an early age when you make them feed/water/clean up after the dog...even though you'll go right behind him and do the job right, it makes him feel grown up.
These are just some points I've picked up in the past 6 years. Yes, my son may seem a little wild at times to some people, but he says "please", "thank you", "ma'm" and "sir" and is always ready to help somebody. He may be wild at heart, but that heart is pure gold.
Look outside at your son running around and playing. Does he have on boots (any kind)? Jeans? Random T-shirt that you're really not sure where it came from? Baseball hat? Yes, you get more points if he's got some dirt on him, and double the points if he's covered in head to toe with mud or water where you just sprayed him down... Congratulations, You're well on your way to properly raising your own country bumpkin...that, or you might be a redneck yourself.
With Love & Laughter.
God Bless.
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