Pleasants Family Sayings

Does your family have funny little sayings you use all of the time?  You know, things that only your family probably gets but you can't imagine anyone else saying?  After reading a book recently that shared a father's well known sayings with his family, I stopped to think about our family and the silly things we say.  I knew we had a few.

Then I mentioned it to the kids and they reminded me of many more.

So just for some fun today - The Pleasants family sayings!

See The Need!  I think this started with an exasperated mom (me) who was tired of young kids stepping over something to get by rather than pick it up. Or children adding trash to an already overflowing trash can. It may or may not have been shouted in frustration.

Situational awareness.  This is said by dad - a lot!  He originally used it to teach the kids about paying attention for unseen dangers.  You know - keep your eyes open, watch out for the car, look around you, etc.  Since it has been used for the boys especially to keep their eyes open to anything - someone in need of help, a car door that should be opened, etc.

Trash in, trash out.  Our parenting excuse for very little TV watching.  Things may be cute and they may even make us laugh, but is it really gratifying, up-lifting or appropriate?

Hands off, lips off.  We got this from a friends' family, but we love it.  Yes, we believe in courting and no, we do not allow dating in high school.  I think we should get a sign and this on our front door now that the kids are older.  Just kidding.  Mostly.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. We understand that not everyone shares our beliefs and idiosyncrasies.  That's ok.  When we are at someone else's house, we encourage our children to follow the rules of the house they are in.  (Within reason, of course.)

Less talk, more fork.  This is a new one and repeated to a certain child at almost every meal.  No other explanation needed, right?!

Eat the elephant one bite at a time.  Dad tells the kids (and momma) this often.  In times when situations seems overwhelming, our no-nonsense dad reminds us one step at a time.  Don't ya hate when they are right? ;)

Are you happy? Notify your face!  Ok, this may not be the kindest thing we say, but it is a good remainder that others often pick up their moods from just the look on someone else's face.  We CAN set the tone.  (I think this is a post all by itself begging to be written)

Start rowing or get out of the boat. If you have been hanging out here for a while you may have read the post I wrote about this one.  It was not my best parenting moment, but it does reiterate that we are a team and we need to act accordingly.  I tell the kids that no one is going to love them like this family loves them so they better treat each other well.  I promise I only say it in kindness now.  I think!

Oh no, Mr. Bob!   This one my kids love.  I can't even tell you where it came from but it is just for a whoops moment.  Spilled drinks, trips and slips, minor mistakes.  Hopefully it teaches us all to take minor annoyances and leave them minor!  How much more joyful would life be if we could just laugh off the small stuff?

That's beautiful, Katie. This is one the older kids say and it came from the movie Horton Hears a Who. They usually use it sarcastically when someone says "Look!" and it doesn't turn out so well. It makes the three of them laugh.

Oh my, I could go on and on but I would be afraid to either bore you or creep you out.  Do we even talk like normal people?  I assure you we do, mostly!

How about you?  Do you have any Pleasants family sayings of your own?  Yours - not ours, of course!

Blessings,