My Rough House

It’s funny when you raise your own kids (at least for me) it makes you reflect a lot about how you were brought up and your own childhood.  I am the oldest of 2 girls in my family and 1 of 7 all girl cousins on my mom’s side (and in fact one of 3 girl cousins on my dad’s side). My sister and I grew up very close to our maternal girl cousins and spent so much time playing together.  And one of the interesting things growing up, that I only now realize, is that we girls did not rough house! I can’t think of one time that my parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles ever had to say “keep your hands to yourself.” I don’t think that there was ever a time that we ever wrestled, kicked, punched, hit, or jumped on each other.  If there was ever any touching it was to give hugs, to hold hands, or when we choreographed a dance (which was often). We found plenty of fun things to do without ever needing to be rough and tumble with one another.

And now I have an 8 year old boy and a 4 year old girl, and boy oh boy are they rough.  And what surprises me the most is that my daughter will instigate it often. She is a tough girl and thinks it’s funny to tease my son when he’s reading by jumping on his back when he least expects it.  They kick and wrestle, and do all sorts of things. I feel like I am constantly breaking up their “fights.” They think it’s funny and they giggle and play, but every once in awhile someone gets hurt (or they break something in the house).

It’s so bizarre to me that my kids would think this sort of play is fun.  But in talking to other parents, mostly parents of all boys or boys and girls, it is normal.  My husband has a little sister and he thinks it’s normal too. I think he and his sister did plenty of rough housing as kids.  It is just not normal at all to what I am used to and how I was raised. I am getting more used to it but it’s still very weird to me!  PS Side note, I am also a total wimp and I am very sensitive and scared of getting hurt! Go Figure!