describe your (parenting style) in three fictional characters

Last week, many took to social media to describe themselves in three fictional characters, so I thought because I'm always a week or several years late to the au courant meme du jour, I would make this week's Mom.me post a fun one, wherein we describe our unique PARENTING STYLE(S) with three fictional characters...

...And so. Without further ado, here are mine: 

Three Fictional Characters that Describe my Parenting Style: 

1. Mr. Keating, Dead Poets Society

Every night, before bed, I climb onto a dresser and PREACH POETRY AND REBELLION...BECAUSE, MY CHILDREN, WORDS ARE YOUR WEAPONS! QUESTION EVERYTHING! LISTEN TO THE POETS! WHAT ARE YOU WRITING TODAY TO CHANGE TOMORROW!? POETRY POETRY POETS AND DEAD POETS AND LIVING POETS AND SLAM POETS AND QUESTION EVERYTHING. IF THERE IS ONE THING I CAN TEACH YOU, IT IS THAT. 

I realize I am nowhere near as eloquent as Mr. Keating, but I certainly believe that parenting IS teaching and that standing on desks, tables, dressers, beds, the hood of my car is a GREAT way to call attention to the subjects that are most important to discuss. I also believe that is my job to inspire my kids to be the best versions of themselves and to feel fearless when it comes to speaking their truths and LISTENING to the truths of others. WHAT WOULD MR. KEATING DO, in my opinion, should be a thing ALL educators (and that includes parents) should ask themselves. 

2. Sue Ellen, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

Over the years, it has become increasingly clear to me how much of my parenting style has been inspired by Christina Applegate's 1989 "I'm right on top of that, Rose" DIY sister-mother ...  I think more than anyone, she is probably the most accurate representation of who I am as a parent AKA more of an "annoyed older sister type" who despises preparing meals (here's a bowl of cereal with four spoons!), smokes sometimes (don't yell) and loves a good shoulder pad. She also loves her children unconditionally (and yes, her siblings are basically her children), is frustrated by having responsibilities (ugh! the worst) and really HATES the idea that children should have to wear uniforms that aren't neon-colored and radical. 

3. Clark Griswold, Vacation/Christmas Vacation/all the other Vacations

EVERYTHING IS AN ADVENTURE! COME ON, KIDS! PRETEND LIKE YOU'RE HAVING FUN ON THIS EIGHTEEN HOUR ROAD TRIP WHERE NO SCREENS ARE ALLOWED AND THE SCENERY IS SO GORGEOUS. LOOK AT THAT DEER! ISN'T IT AMAZING!? ISN'T EVERYTHING AMAZING! OH, LOOK! WE'RE GETTING PULLED OVER BY THE HIGHWAY PATROL FOR SPEEDING! WHAT AN ADVENTURE, WE'RE ON! LET'S GO DANCE BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON, HAL, GRAB YOUR GUITAR, WE'RE ON AN ADVENTURE, HOLD ON I THINK I MIGHT PASS OUT FROM OVERENTHUSIASTICITIS BUT DON'T WORRY I'LL WAKE UP SOON AND THEN WE'LL KEEP GOING I'M OKAY EVERYTHING'S OKAY, OKAY? 

You can read my entire post today on Mom.me. Also, please join us (Hal, my mom, my dad, and my grandmother!) in describing your parenting style in three fictional characters! You can leave them in the comments, here. Or on Facebook. Or twitter. Or wherever. Hashtag #parentingstyleinthree. Or, if you're already over this meme because so last week, that's also totally cool. Good day, sirs and madams. Good day.