Born to Be Wild

In 1968 one of the first major rock songs was blasted across multiple music stations.  It became a major hit informing the world that motorcyclists were out seeking adventure and were Born to Be Wild.

Seriously, only cyclists are wild? It took until 1968 to tell everyone? Honey, it starts when you’re in diapers.

Be sure to have rattles, tubes of ointment, and possibly snacks available when you change the diapers of a child that can roll or crawl.  Not unlike a greased pig at a fair they can and will escape.

When children begin to toddle around they are thrilled to be “mama’s little helper” and willingly toss items into the trash and pick up toys.  This works for about three years or until they fully understand the word “No”. Sadly, this may happen much sooner than three.

 Welcome to Parenting 101 or Help! I Have Birthed a Child Just Like Myself! And that’s the hard truth because inside we all still want what we want …we are all born to be wild.

Looking back over my own childhood I cringe to remember the name calling, clique forming, parent sassing, rule breaking, edge pushing person that I was. 

Today I am much more controlled and yet, on occasion, the rebel rises. If I pass a coin drop, I usually DON’T contribute; it feels too much like panhandling and peer pressure.

Ever go to a church with a prolonged greeting of peace?  This is the kind where all the pews are vacated and then everyone visits everyone else in the church.  AWKWARD, especially if the only person you know is married to you and is required to sit next to you.  I always greet Russ enthusiastically; shake hands with those sitting directly by me, and then study the architecture.

  I will buy Girl Scout cookies, Boy Scout popcorn, or candy bars sold for class trips.  But I buy from the children not from the parents even if they bring the order forms to work.  Although I like the parents, I find saying no to a cute kid hard, the parent not so much.

What could be more fun than role playing during a seminar?  The only thing that I can think of is a root canal without medication.  Enough said on that.

And I don’t want to forget being in a crowd where you are encouraged i.e. demanded to clap, stomp your feet, stand up, or do hand signals.  There’s a good chance that I will gamely clap along; slim to none odds on any of the other.  Add to that any standing ovation because it’s expected and it’s not gonna happen.

When my son Peter was 6 he passed on some profound wisdom.  He had been playing at the neighbor’s when he came into the house crying.

“Peter, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” He shook his head and continued to cry.

“What is it?”

“I heard a bad word.”

“Well, that’s ok.  You don’t have to cry about hearing a bad word.”

He threw his head back and howled, “But I want to SAY it!”

 Exactly! Born to be wild.