Cinco de Mayo and Raising Your Kids
Happy Cinco de Mayo! This is the day when we celebrate the great battle between February and May. February originally had 29 days, and May originally had no “5th” day. May attacked February and was victorious. As a prize, May took one day from February, leaving February with only 28. Thus began the celebration of Cinco (Five) de Mayo (of May). Years later, the legality of this was disputed, so joint custody was declared, giving February back that day every four years. Those are called “L.E.A.P.” years (Legal Entity for Annual Peace). And then something happened in Mexico or something. My point is, we got to eat tacos at work today.
I had an epiphany the other day. It’s one of those things I need to remember in case I ever have kids. I figured out how to raise teenagers. When they are about 12, tell them that they are adopted (even if they aren’t). They will spend most of their teen years searching for their birth parents, thus drastically reducing the chance that they will have time for drugs, alcohol, sex, or XBox 360. When they graduate from college (or reach the age where they aren’t as inclined toward wildness), you can reveal the truth to them. I expect that they will welcome your revelation with a sigh of relief, and no bitterness whatsoever.
Rachel responds:
Posted: May 5th, 2006 at 3:38 pm →
We had a food day at work today as well. It was a resounding success. We had 11 crock pots full of food and actually blew the electrical circuit.
Now THAT is the sign of a great food day!!!!
Rachel responds:
Posted: May 5th, 2006 at 3:39 pm →
Oh, and my spanish chicken was one of the few crock pots that was totally empty. And I made a triple batch!!!!
Deb responds:
Posted: May 5th, 2006 at 4:12 pm →
I always wondered about the origination of today. Thanks for shedding light on the subject. Also, thanks for the parenting tidbit!
Also, Jay must be Mexican because today is his birthday. I didn’t buy him a taco. Now I feel bad.
Deb responds:
Posted: May 5th, 2006 at 4:12 pm →
OR Jay could be Februarian! I never considered that before. Hmmmmm.
Jan responds:
Posted: May 6th, 2006 at 11:55 am →
Having raised kids, I look back and consider your “adoption” strategy. However, our older gal looks like me, and our younger gal looks like George’s family. Now that might lead them to think one of their aunts or uncles was their actual parent - - and that possibility might lead to suicide. Not a good thing. [Note: you don't know a couple of George's brothers or one of mine. :-/ Just thinking we're related to them is sometimes too much.] Anyway, when you throw in family resemblence, I see a flaw in this “adoption” plan. You might want to add a disclaimer to that affect when you tell your teens this . . . information. Otherwise, what a great distraction idea.
Jan responds:
Posted: May 6th, 2006 at 11:56 am →
Oh, I forgot. Check your e-mail for an e-mail from me, that originated from Bill Ross, about the origin of Sinko de Mayo. I know the spelling is different, but that’s a translation problem. Bill sent his e-mail to me yesterday, and I sent it on to you today. Check that out.
TRiNA responds:
Posted: May 7th, 2006 at 10:29 pm →
Welp, May will surely never be the same in my book… but reading your blog made me ask this question.
“How much in royalties did McDonalds pay you to post that picture.
Phentermine. responds:
Posted: May 5th, 2007 at 5:29 am →
Phentermine….
Phentermine phentermine. Phentermine overnight….