Wacky minds, like great ones, run in the same channel, as evidenced by the Mother’s Day cards from my two oldest children. Ironically, the Wednesday before Mother’s Day, we had discussed the American customs surrounding the occasion with the Internationals Friends group that I help lead weekly at the University of Southern Mississippi. The Asian contingent had a similar holiday either for mothers or for both parents and said they gave their parents vitamins and medical supplements as gifts. They wanted to know what our children considered appropriate gifts.
I assured them that I would not get any medical supplements. I also assured them that I was not likely to get a sentimental card. I think maybe I’ve gotten one of those about twice. My children look for appropriate funny cards instead. I have no idea where they get this.
My prediction turned out to be more correct than I knew. On Friday, I pulled a card out of the mailbox from my oldest son. The front read, “Good moms let their children lick the beaters.” The inside added, 
“Great moms turn the mixer off first.” On Saturday, I pulled a card out of the mailbox from my daughter. The front read, “Good moms let their children lick the beaters.” The inside added, “Great moms turn the mixer off first.”
Of course, there’s a back-story. I did let them lick the beaters after turning off the mixer when they were growing up until I heard the warnings about salmonella in uncooked eggs. After that, they only got to lick the beaters for items with no raw eggs. To put it mildly, this restriction did not go over well. They hold a grudge that shows up even on Mother’s Day.
The unreasonable restrictions I placed on their lives have often been the topic of family discussions. The oldest son thinks he holds the clincher for these conversations. I did not allow him to have a banana seat bike because I had read they were much more dangerous than the standard seat. As he nears the end of his fifth decade, you would think he would grant me amnesty.
In the end, I’m having the last laugh. My children now have children who are making their own lists of unreasonable restrictions and demands their parents are making. I love it!