Kids Are Embarrassing

Attending my regular church service Saturday afternoon at 4:30 pm, I was reminded how embarrassing children can be to their parents. A lovely family of six seated in the front row was given the honor of bringing up the gifts. The youngest son however, was sound asleep when it came time for the family to perform their duties. The father dutifully carried his soundly sleeping son slung over his shoulder from the front pew to the back of church along with the rest of the family. This son looked almost too old to be sleeping in church and to be carried around by a parent, so I’d estimate he was roughly 4-5 years of age. The family proceeded back to the front of the church down the center aisle to deliver the gifts. The youngest son remained asleep for the entire procession. Just as the family finished their duties at the front of the church, the young son stirred on his father’s shoulder and proceeded to pick his nose vigorously in full view of the entire congregation. I tried to muffle my laugh, as did a good portion of the congregation, but laughter was heard throughout the church. And this family had no idea what their son had just done because they were all facing forward!

I’m certain my own children had just as many episodes like this when they were younger, and I’m certain I had no idea about many of them. It’s a good thing this lovely family had no idea what kind of show their youngest son had just given a captive audience. I guess it’s just something you have to accept and expect when you raise children. They are going to embarrass you one way or another, and the way you learn to handle it is all a part of parenting skills you develop along the way!