The Lecture Circuit

  It happens gradually.  When you become a parent, slowly, it becomes apparent (couldn't resist) how much like your own parents you begin to sound.
  I find myself lecturing my kids more and more lately, even recycling some old bits that my folks used to lay on me.  What is most frustrating is that I seem to be recycling my own lectures more and more, repeating the same  concepts over and over (and over).  This is where the similarity between myself and my parents ends (as far as lecturing).  Either I was more scared of my parents and there consequences than my kids are of me, I was a better listener than my kids (possible but doubtful), or I simply don't remember droning, repeated lecture after same lecture (highly possible, I have a gift for blocking things from my memory, intentional or otherwise).

 When I am aware of lecturing, repeated or otherwise, I try to rectify it by  being a verbal boxer, if you will, getting in and out with quick jabs, making my point and letting it go.  But this never seems to work and I resort to lengthy lectures ( a barrage of  haymakers?) It is just as ineffective though.

 Some have said my expectations are too high and I'm too demanding.  Well I certainly wouldn't  lecture as much if this wasn't at least true in part.  While I don't expect perfection of my kids I do want the best for them and I do expect that they will try to maximize their true potential.
  And is it expecting too much that after a 25 minute shower a twelve year old emerges, you know....clean?  I was lamenting this incident recently with my Mom and she asked if he was actually in  the shower (he was).  By inference she was subtly reminding me of an incident of my own, when I was about the same age, when I was supposed to be showering, but was discovered merely running the shower while I stood enjoying the steam in the bathroom.  Busted.
 So, call it karma, what goes around comes around etc., whatever.  Meanwhile I'm just trying to get off the lecture circuit.

Peace to the Planet...