All I Know about Parenting, I Learned from a Gambler

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

~ The Gambler lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Sung by Kenny Rogers, Written by Don Schlitz

You've got to know when to hold 'em 

Kids need all the love, snuggles and affection you can give them. I don't believe in too much loving! When faced with tears, you've got to know when they  need extra love love and snuggles. Know when they need reassurance. And, when faced with the fake-cry, know when to tell them to "drive on, soldier."

You've got to know when to fold 'em

You know what I'm talking about...know when to thrown in the cards. You've got to realize when you are asking too much of a child. You've got to realize when you're holding on to a rule or drawing a line that's not worth the fight. And when the catastrophic meltdown occurs, you've got to assess when the situation is salvageable and when it's time to just head home or go to bed.  

Know when to walk away.

Your kids will push your buttons, until you are just about exploding. Know when to walk away.  They will push boundaries and test you to gauge your reaction. Walk away and show them the behavior didn't raise your eyebrows. One day they will grow up and step outside of your comfort zone...you'll have to let them do it as you walk away.

Know when to run.

Follow your instincts. When you have that feeling that your baby's in danger...run. When they are sick and you just know something isn't right...run. When you hear the cry that sends chills of fear down your spine...run. Remember that catastrophic meltdown? Yeah, go ahead and run. But, also remember to run when you're in a big open field of grass; run with joy.  

You never count your money while you're sitting at the table.

Don't congratulate yourself on a well-behaved dinner out while you're still in the restaurant. Don't compare your kids to others. Don't congratulate yourself on how well-behaved, smart or talented your kids area. Don't congratulate yourself on being an awesome parent.

There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

 Your babies will be grown and gone someday and you'll have decades to rehash how you raised them, how wonderful they are and how awesome of a parent you were. Or you'll look back and see areas where you wish you'd done better. Spend your time now focusing on doing the absolute best you can so you don't regret anything in the future. And remember that restaurant? If you're still sitting at the table, there's still time for a kid to chuck a spoon and a nearby patron or sneeze snotwads onto a bald man's head as you're walkin' out the door.