Comments closed-The winner of the second Bedtime Kit is Sandra! Congratulations!
This post is part two of my partnership with Goodnites Bedtime Theater. I am being compensated for promoting a contest and sharing my family’s story, not for promoting a product.
First of all. The contest. You know, the one where you could win $2,500 for an adventure with your family? Well a little bird told me there are not very many entries so your chances of winning the grand prize or one of the numerous others are awfully good. Go to Bedtime Theater to enter and while you’re at it, download the free audio series/bedtime story about Iggy and his wiggy bed.
Go enter! No! Wait, stay here a minute, I need your help here for a minute then you can go…
I can vividly remember moments growing up when I truly believed my parents could do anything.
My dad could make anything. Christmas ornaments, cabinets, frames, chairs, desks and entire cities for my toy cars.
My mom knew everything there was to know about plants and gardening. She could sew perfect dresses and costumes. She could take spectacular pictures and knew how to do things with computers that most people still don’t know how to do.
Both of my parents were always really good cooks and they both married people who had a whole other mess of skills. My step mom can decorate better than Martha herself and my step dad knows how to make arrowheads and embalm a body (so really this one doesn’t do me much good but it’s always fun to say it and watch people squirm.)
My sister knows anything and everything there is to know about dogs and cats.
Cody knows all that legal crap they taught him in school plus he knows how to build a fire like a champ and I’m pretty sure he knows more about football than 90% of the people on ESPN.
I know a thing or two.
But there’s a lot that I don’t know.
I wish I would have spent more time learning from my parents about the things they are so good at.
And even though Addie will always think I possess some sort of superhero power until she’s old enough to realize I’m pretty normal, I don’t want to let her down.
I guess I should say there’s a lot that I don’t know, but that I want to know.
I teach her about food and cooking any chance I get. This is important to me.
The newest thing I’m teaching myself?
Plants.
I want to be able to grow a lovely garden with flowers, maybe even some herbs. Someday vegetables.
Guess what? Growing plants is not easy for me. I do not speak leaf. I don’t get it. I kill unkillable plants.
But there was a time that baking bread wasn’t easy for me either.
But I am going to learn how to grow plants. And Addie is going to learn with me.
We’re going to keep these little green things alive together (so maybe that’s a way to dissuade my guilt in case of the worst.)
Addie has inspired me to learn so much more than I would have ever learned if I hadn’t become her mom.
And because of her I am not going to be giving up on my plants, we’re going to celebrate our bloomed orchids together (true story!) and mourn our crispy herb garden as well (sadly, also a true story.)
What have your kids inspired you to learn? What did your parents teach you that you’ll forever be grateful for?
I don’t think many people appreciate what their parents know, I know I don’t (sorry guys.)
One comment will be picked at random to win a bedtime kit valued at over $175 (see the full kit here) depending on how you do bedtime at your house it can easily be the best time of day to teach your kids a thing or two.
Want an extra entry? Enter the Bedtime Theater Contest as well, an extra entry for the Bedtime Kit here and a chance at winning amazing things you can share with your family. Just let me know you did in an additional comment below (*ahem* cheaters *ahem* I have ways of double checking this part so please don’t lie. xoxo)
making unbreakable - formerly moosh in indy. 
My dad loved to garden. I wish I paid attention to all those long afternoons in the sun with him. But..he did teach me that giving extra care to something you care about will give you rewards beyond what you expect.
My kids are teaching me about the sky and the stars. I had no interest before they came along but now all they want to hear about are the planets, stars and universe. Interesting stuff.
LikeLike
Theo has inspired me to learn more about HIS passions: trucks, trains, all things that go. I didn’t have a clue what a front loader was, or a skid steer but he loves that stuff so because of that I love it too. And we’re learning together and I honestly get SOOOO EXCITED when we’re driving and I point things out and say the correct names. Sometimes I even *puffs chest out* correct my HUSBAND.
My mom never liked animals of any kind and I’m the opposite. I was into horses and had a few so she was up on all the terminology at horse shows etc. She’d even feed my horses and pet them–a HUUUGE big deal. I guess that’s what being a mom is all about.
LikeLike
I love plants, especially indoor plants that bring life and color to a room. I must confess though that I am a frustrated herb gardener. Basil, lavender, thyme, sage, mint–I have tried to grow them all indoors and have failed. I love the idea of a kitchen garden, so I won’t give up.
I will look forward to reading about your success!
LikeLike
My father taught/teaches me a love of writing and words. My mother taught/teaches me to have empathy for others.
My daughter has taught me to dream big and my son has taught me that there is more than one way to go about doing just about everything.
LikeLike
My kids have taught me to stay on my toes. I LOVE when they ask me “How’d you know that” about answers I’ve given and I get to say “Mom’s know lots of stuff!”
Ok and really now, that is a KILLER gift bag!
LikeLike
My husband and I try to take turns showing them new things. That’s how Rosey knows Daddy can use a duck-call and Mama cam whistle two different ways.
LikeLike
My parents taught me to laugh always. I’m working on this on a daily basis!
LikeLike
My kids are teaching me trust. It’s a very difficult thing for me, so I’m a pretty tough student. But thankfully they’re patient teachers. 🙂
My parents taught me compassion and integrity.
I’m still working on cooking, gardening, and just about everything else. 🙂
LikeLike
My daughter has inspired me to learn how to make bread and how to actually cook *gasp*. I want her to grow up with more knowledge than I had in the kitchen and be able to survive without having to constantly buy prepackaged meals.
And my parents? Taught me creativity. My mom taught me how to sing, my dad how to frame a photograph. They both come to me with questions now, but it’s nice to know that they were the ones to get me started.
LikeLike
My kids are teaching me patience and grace under pressure…something my high-strung, perfectionist self definitely needed.
My parents taught me the valuable lessons of working hard for what you want and appreciating it when you get it.
LikeLike
My mom taught me the value of bringing a hot meal to someone in need. My dad has ridiculously contagious optimism that has served me well many times. My daughter teaches me everyday to slow down and enjoy life – always rediscover things around you.
LikeLike
I love to teach my little dude things. Right now we’re growing beans and peas because they’re awesome and (relatively) easy and FAST, All those things make for a high toddler satisfaction quotient. 🙂
The most awesome thing my dad taught me was how to fix a car. From flat tires to fan belts, I know how to do it. I love that. He also taught me about power tools. It pays to be the first kid!
And my son? Well, he has inspired me to learn all there is to know about dinosaurs so that I can actually answer his RELENTLESS questions.
LikeLike
I also entered the Bedtime Theater contest. 🙂
LikeLike
I wish I had taken the time & initiative to learn more from my parents when I was growing up. I could know how to cook, speak Greek, sew, build a house, etc. It’s a shame really.
But you’ve made me realize that Punkin will have the chance to learn from me, so I better step it up!
LikeLike
I am learning from my son the art of patience. He’s truly been my guide on the road to waiting, and staying present and calm when I want to fly off the handles and scream. He’s also teaching me all about Marvel Comics, which up until this point, I thought were dumb. I can tell you more about Ironman than any woman should have to know.
I wish I would’ve learned to organize things like my mom does. When she visits, and my husband and I go out of town (oh we SOOO take advantage of Nana’s visits), we come back to a completely organized home. We then proceed to disorganize it within a week of her leaving, so I guess it’s just not my thang. I wish I would’ve learned more about gardening from my dad. He is out tending the yard as soon as the snow is melted. He grows the most beautiful plants, flowers, trees. And he does it with such care and tenderness. He does it because of his love for nature, and that is so admirable to me.
My son is teaching me to be a better person, plain and simple. I just want to be the best mother and wife, so that he can have the wonderful memories a happy childhood produce. I want to be his happy memory.
LikeLike
My parents tried so hard to drill exercise and fitness into my brain but I rebelled against it. Now that I have kids, I want to reflect healthier values for them. I don’t want to try so hard to get them to exercise that they hate it but I want them to grow up having some kind of physical activity that they enjoy. So they don’t have to learn that when they’re pushing 40.
LikeLike
My parents taught us that our gender doesnt allow us to be helpless. Me and my siblings (brothers and sisters!) are all very self-sufficient because of the wide range of lessons our parents took the time to teach us. we were all taught how to cook and bake, and work on cars and build stuff. As some of us have married- our spouses are surprised at how much we know… (Im not putting Gender blocks on my Sons either- they play with dolls AND trucks.)
My Children have taught me to look at things with the childlike wonder and its ok to show excitement… and to want to know MORE… to always ask questions!
LikeLike
My dad could figure out how things work or how they were put together. He always seemed capable of building or fixing anything. I want to learn more of those skills.
LikeLike
I love how we imagine our parents as being all-knowing… until we get to a certain age! I remember my father teaching me how to change a tire. That’s one skill a lot of adults still haven’t mastered.
One thing I stuck with was kite flying. I always wanted one of those really cool stunt kites you see at the beach. I would always state how I really wanted one- never really thinking anyone would actually buy me the kite. One summer, my hub surprised me and bought me one. It was tough! But I stuck with it so I could impress my son (then 6).
I hope he always remembers how I kept trying to get that thing in the air and stunting. I didn’t give up and I learned a fun new skill.
LikeLike
My mom taught me to cook, although I’m not nearly as good or do it nearly as often as I should.
My daughter, well, because of her I have closer relationship with God than I did 3 years ago; I’m more involved in our church than I ever thought possible. She makes me want to be a better person and learn to sew. Hopefully sewing will happen this Fall, cause seriously, I’m lacking in the crafty area & my Mom would be so ashamed right now. 🙂
LikeLike
My mother taught me another language. I’m so grateful to be bilingual because of her.
My children teach me everyday to appreciate the small things in life and find joy in everything.
LikeLike
My dad had a rockin’ garden of canteloupe, sweet corn, zucchini, green beans and tomatoes when I was a little girl. He tended to that monstrosity of a dirt patch so faithfully. We sold the produce at a little mini-mart in town and the profits fed into my siblings and my college savings’ account. I appreciate more and more the longer I’m a parent what my dad did for us with that garden. He taught us work ethic – we planted the seeds, weeded and harvested. He taught us money management – we priced the melons and helped to keep track of the money. He did that for his children.
I hope to do something like this for my boys. Something that will help them develop into strong, capable, responsible, good men.
LikeLike
My parents taught me about dedication and faith.
Having a 2 year old boy has inspired me to learn….well…patience. Still working on that one. It’s a daily battle 🙂
But seriously? It’s amazing how much even a young toddler has inspired me to learn. From random things like penguins and the physics of hotwheels on ramps to things like thinking outside the box, compassion, forgiveness, and tenderness. Kid’s got the biggest heart ever.
But mostly the patience thing 😉
LikeLike
Something about owning your own home seems to make you want to delve into gardening, even if you never had the urge before. Since moving here, where we have a flat yard versus the Hill of Death at our previous home, I’ve slowly been teaching myself how to grow vegetables in a raised bed. Between very helpful neighbors and internet, I’ve managed to slowly learn a few things and actually grow food we can eat! It’s been fun teaching my kids about seeds and plants and the seasons of gardening as well.
My parents have taught me a plethora of things, but the most valuable lesson by far has by example. My parents have been married 50 years, and they make no secret of the fact that it hasn’t always been easy. They’ve taught me the true meaning of commitment and shown me that love changes, but it can remain steadfast and true.
LikeLike
My dad taught me how to balance and maintain a check book. On Sunday mornings he would wake me early to drink coffee with him and make out the weekly offering for the Sunday collection at church. I loved Sunday morning with my dad. Every time I drink coffee – I am reminded of those awesome Sunday mornings so long ago
LikeLike
I love plants, I just can’t seem to remember to water them! My mom has an excellent green thumb and has been just waiting for the right time to teach me how to grow and culivate a garden. My husband and I are looking for a house and I am looking forward to learning all about gardens, and sharing the experience with my 4 year old son and my mother.
LikeLike
I feel like my mom knows everything about everything – gardening, sewing, cooking, baking bread, arts, literature. Seriously. Everything. Must be because she is a librarian.
Anyway, I am really grateful that she taught me a love of music, classical music in particular. It’s all we listened to growing up. And really it feeds my soul.
LikeLike
I feel like I learned a lot from my Grandma since my Mom didn’t really have a domestic bone in her body… Now that my daughter is getting older, it’s up to me to teach her all those things and I can’t wait! I am sure my Mom wishes she would have embraced motherhood differently when I was little, but at least she is getting a second chance with my daughter to make a difference!
LikeLike
I know WAY more about cars and trucks due to my little men than I ever though possible.
I am also learning to decorate, and they are teaching me the importance of traditions…something my parents didn’t do very well at.
LikeLike
I’ve always wanted to have “something” you know it seems like everyone has “Something” they are great at. Something people know them for. My husband can sit down at a piano and literally play any song he has ever heard even if it was just once ( skill he learned from his mother). It’s incredibly frustrating. I’ve never had that thing. Talent shows as a kid were incredibly frustrating for me.
Before my daughter was born my husband bought an SLR so we could attempt to take good pictures of her.
I started taking pictures of her so I would never forget how small and squishy and perfect she was and I haven’t put my camera down since.
Except to upgrade it of course!
My kids have given me my “something”!
LikeLike
Let’s see. My parents taught me to have proper manners and to always be respectful of others (something I don’t see a lot of in teenagers these days). And my little boy – well, he has truly taught me LOVE! I thought I knew what love was before, but, giving birth to a human being who can make you cry just by sleeping is something entirely different!
LikeLike
My mom taught me how to sew and it’s been such a valuable tool to have. I’m nowhere close to being a seamstress but I can hem things, make curtians and simple skirts and dresses for my daughter. Plus I get a ton of joy out of it. Plus you wouldn’t beleive how many people my age thing it’s amazing that I know how to operate a sewing machine.
I can’t wait to teach my kids the same skill.
LikeLike
My mom taught me how to bargain shop and it has ruined me forever! I can’t pay full price for anything 🙂
LikeLike
My daughter has taught me to appreciate the small and simple things in life again. I used to take so much for granted.
I have been learning new crafts to teach her, she loves anything where she is creating. She is artistic like her daddy
LikeLike
My mom is a great businesswoman. Something I’ve tried to pick up along the way. She also is a very snazzy dresser, something I’m not so good at.
LikeLike
My mom taught me it’s ok to have a whole lot of hobbies. I like to call it being “well rounded.” When I was growing up, my mom could make wedding cakes, sew, paint (as in canvas), draw, was a licensed nurse and a licensed hair stylist. Needless to say, she was quite popular at church when people needed….well, anything.
LikeLike
I think there is always something we can learn! Right now I am learning patience! I would also love to garden. My mom can make anything grow, I can’t!
LikeLike
One lesson I have always taken with me was “what you want and what you get are not always the same thing”. It translates to so many different parts of life.
LikeLike
I am learning to be more patient and lately I have been learning lots of little tricks and distractions to get my son up and ready in the morning and off to daycare. I am NOT a morning person and struggle with being upbeat and cheerful to give us both a good start in the day.
LikeLike
2.5 yeasrs ago my son taught me about unconditional love.
We are both currently learning patience, lol……
LikeLike
My child inspired me to pick up some crochet hooks and try it again. I was successful this time. I’ve made him many cute hats, scarves, blankets, toys and more. And I also enjoy making things for others now too. Plus this made me take an interest and learn knitting and sewing too!
LikeLike
I am entering for my sister. She’s just started her third trimester and has taught me an awesome number of things. on my first day of kindergarten she taught me how to dress ‘cool’, by example she taught me how to love reading and sink so deeply into a book that the world around me. with her blunt honesty she taught me how to take critisism. she also taught me that being and srtist is ok, whether poet or painter. i love my sister beyond belief and am so excited to meet my first nephew.
LikeLike
I am turning into my mother. My mom was a school teacher and every single family vacation we took was in some way a learning experience. I see now that I”m a mama that she was probably learning as much as we were.
I have started gardening (like my mom), reading all the factual stuff at every single event we go to (like my mom), printing out long, involved answers to my daughters questions (like my mom) – ha – you get the idea. Although I find I am liking learning as a “grown up” more than I ever dreamed possible.
LikeLike
My children have taught me the importance of eating ‘real’ food. We have made it a priority in our house and find ourselves learning about our community, enjoying local fresh food.
LikeLike
I’m totally a city girl. I would die if I lived more than 15 minutes away from Target. But both my parents really love gardening and the outdoors. I didn’t even realize some of the things I learned until I pass them on to someone in conversation and they tell me they didn’t know that. Oh, My mom also taught me to make preserves. Yay, homemade jelly and jam!
LikeLike
My parents taught me not just to read, but to revel in books; to wander the cities, countries and lives that can be found between the covers of a book. The way they tell it, I started reading at 3 because they couldn’t stay up reading to me as late as I wanted. To this day, reading is my escape from, and means of embracing life. I’m a written word junkie thanks to them 🙂
LikeLike
Actually, my four year old loves dinosaurs SO much that I’m actually learning a lot about dinosaurs through her interest in ’em. Which is pretty cool.
From my parents? I treasure my love of music. I can’t imagine my life without it.
LikeLike
My parents taught us to love books…I hope to pass that love of reading onto my kids now!
LikeLike
My mom taught me that it’s ok to take time for yourself – you can’t be a mom 24/7. My dad taught me to always check the oil.
LikeLike
My dad taught me the facts of life. Not just the squicky facts, but the circle of life facts. My mom taught me about raw dough: cookie, sticky bun, bread, it’s all good!
LikeLike