I believe “quirky” comes in all forms, just like families do. Your family might have silly nicknames for one another, communicate in a made-up language, or belt out silly songs to encourage the kids to brush their teeth. Those are just a few examples, of course. We definitely don’t do any of that. That would be completely bonkers.
Actually, we do all of that. It’s a little strange, I know, but every family has its own flavor of eccentricity, right? Here’s how my family might appear unusual to yours:
- We’re All About the Naughty Words.
We believe our kids will hear them eventually, so why not teach them how to use them properly? So far, no calls from school, but our 5-year-old future stand-up comic may change that when he hits kindergarten. - Dance Parties That Should Stay Private.
We engage in ridiculous dancing that would definitely scare away anyone who walks by. I didn’t dance as a child, so at first, it feels odd. But throw on some ’80s tunes, and I transform into the dancing queen. I just hope my kids remember me as their goofy parent. - Celebrating the Unusual.
“Hey, you’re wearing three pairs of socks on your hands and a tutu as a hat! Bold choices, my friend!” High fives all around! Go out into the world and spread your joy! - Role Reversals Galore.
Our son once rocked dresses and is the sensitive one, while our daughter exhibits a spring-break-boy vibe. My husband handles most of the cooking and is a great communicator, while I might just be a dude on spring break most days. - We Chose to Live in the Woods.
With bears and all. Our kids can identify various wildlife droppings and know what to do if they cross paths with a mountain lion. Plus, the snow is so deep that we’ve had to haul groceries up a hill on a sled. What were we thinking? - Obsessive Interests Are Our Jam.
My son got a pogo stick this summer and jumped 6,000 times in a row! My daughter is obsessed with tower-building — the more intricate, the better. I can lose myself in writing for hours, while my husband finds joy in sanding wood blocks scattered throughout the house. Totally normal, right? - Board Game Nerds Unite!
We dive into games like Yahtzee, Catan, Hi Ho! Cherry-O, Monopoly, and Candyland. I secretly wish to crush my kids every time we play. - Inventing Odd Games with Random Stuff.
Our latest creation involved a soccer ball and a hula hoop, resulting in an embarrassingly long time spent trying to kick the ball through a spinning hoop. Give it a shot; it’s surprisingly fun! - Outdoor Napping Is Our Style.
We nap outside in hammocks, chairs, or blankets, always keeping the bears in mind. Once, our 3-year-old rushed inside from his hammock when a mama bear strolled by. Maybe that’s a bit odd, huh? - Occasional School Sneaking (Oops!).
Whether it’s skiing, biking, or catching a movie, we sometimes pull our kids out of school. When our son had perfect attendance one semester, we felt like we were failing as parents. Life is too short for that!
This is just a glimpse of the wonderful weirdness that defines our family. Your family’s quirks might not look like ours, but that’s perfectly okay. Being weird is liberating. It’s way more fun than being “normal.” So let’s all proudly wave our freak flags!
For more insights on family life and related topics, check out this article or explore resources like March of Dimes for pregnancy and home insemination. If you’re looking for a great tool, Cryobaby has an excellent home insemination syringe kit.
Summary
In this playful piece, Jamie Anderson shares ten quirky ways her family embraces their unique vibe, from teaching naughty words to celebrating oddities in daily life. They explore their eccentricities through dance, role reversals, and outdoor naps, all while encouraging each other to be unapologetically themselves. Their family dynamic serves as a reminder that being weird can be a delightful and liberating experience.