by Gil Vanorder Jr

Created on: January 12, 2010   Last Updated: January 13, 2010

IF YOU CAN'T LAUGH DON'T HAVE KIDS    

     During one unforgettable vacation trip our family of four drove to the airport in a Volkswagen Beetle.  On the return trip we had so much luggage and so many souvenirs that there was no room for the kids.  The only way they could ride in the car home was to twist themselves up into little balls and squeeze in between everything.  They rode that way for several hours.  Fortunately, we had spent such a great time together the kids didn’t mind.  They even joked that they hoped no one saw them because we might be reported to Child Protective Services.  The poor kids were so cramped up by the time we got home we probably should have been arrested for child abuse.  We all still laugh about it today because it was one of those funny memories we shared as a family.

     Laughing together is one of those activities a family cannot do enough of.  In fact, just having kids requires you have a sense of humor.  If you are a parent and have not fallen down laughing at something your child has said or done then you are not paying attention.  Laughter should be a part of just about everything you do with your kids.  If you are an extremely serious person that rarely even smiles, please do not have children.  You will ruin them. 

     Kids love to have fun and they want their parents to enjoy the fun with them.  If you are unable to have fun, you are telling your children to remain immature because it is no fun being a grown-up.  If you are not happy being an adult, your children will not want to become one.

     I don’t think there was a day that went by during the time my kids were growing up that we didn’t laugh at something.  If nothing funny took place during the day then I would be sure to tell the kids a funny story or two before they went to bed.  They loved it and so did I.  I now tell funny stories to my grandchildren and it is equally as much fun.  I laugh just thinking about it. 

     It is also great for the ego knowing you’ve still got it.  I filled out a job application once that asked me to list any special skills I have.  I wrote down, “I can make my grandchildren laugh.  They are still young enough to believe this is my special skill.”

     Both my son and my daughter tell jokes and have a great sense of humor.  In fact, they often make me laugh more than I do them.  And my grandchildren all enjoy making people laugh as well.  Some of the younger ones will make up jokes just because they want to be funny like everyone else.  They will tell knock-knock jokes that make absolutely no sense, but we all laugh hilariously anyway, because it’s fun. 

     If you have or have had children you will relate to this.  Most parents reading this will have at least a smile on their face if they are not laughing right out loud, because they know what fun kids are.  As I write this, I have a smile across my face that I can’t get rid of.

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