Seth Godin writes in his popular business book “Cows, after you’ve seen one, or two, or ten, are boring. A Purple Cow, though…now that would be something. Purple Cow describes something phenomenal, something counterintuitive and exciting and flat out unbelievable.” Parenting has never been more challenging and truly remarkable families are more and more rare these days. A Purple Cow family is one where parents intentionally raise their children based upon morals, values, attitude, and character traits they have mutually envisioned their children will internalize. We are so busy and overwhelmed much of the time that we usually “parent by the seat of our parents”. Intentional parenting that results in respectful, polite, and well-mannered children is remarkable these days. It’s practically counterintuitive. Confident and kind but certainly not entitled. That’s a Purple Cow kid these days.
Slow Dance
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask “How are you?”
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say “Hi”?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift….
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
-David L. Weatherford
Enjoy the moment
If you had a dollar for every time someone pointed out how fast your kids will grow up you could just retire now and spend more time with them. With a vivacious, on the go, ‘where’s the party’ 4 year old girl (code: high maintenance) and a laid back, sweet, and easy 6 month old son at home I am continuously striving to enjoy all the little things about their lives while I can. There is a lot we could do to better ourselves as spouses and parents but one thing we should all do well is ‘enjoy the moment’. My biggest fear is waking up one day after my kids are gone with regrets. I know the days are numbered until they leave home. Sure, we’re all busy and moving too fast but you can refuse to let anything keep you from soaking up every moment with your family. That’s ‘Purple Cow’ to me.
My New Blog
Welcome! This is a place for insights, tips, and comments about kids, teens, and parenting. The family is the most sacred institution in human history yet it has a bull’s eye firmly on its back these days. We live hectic lives and our kids are growing up in an increasingly complex and toxic culture. Hopefully this will be a spot where you might grab a few simple ideas that will help your family be remarkable! Respond with your own or feel free to comment so we can learn together. You can visit my website at www.drkoyroberts.com