Interrupting the steady hum of the dryer is the thump, thump, thump of a rock in the pocket of my son’s shorts.
From the time he could pinch two fingers together, Sawyer was picking up rocks. When he was younger, there were more rocks – sometimes what seemed like an entire laundry load of rocks. Now that he’s 9, he’s grown more particular about the rocks he pockets.
I only know one has gotten by me when I hear that familiar thump, thump, thump.
Apparently, there’s no end in sight to this rock collecting and washing. Luc, the 11-year-old who lives across the street still leaves stuff – including rocks – in his pockets when he throws his clothes into the dirty clothes hamper.
Like my son, Luc’s been told again and again to empty his pockets when he undresses but to no avail.
His father, Scott, came up with the idea of putting notes in Luc’s pockets that say, “When you find this note, come and see Dad for a surprise.” Luc has yet to claim his prize.
Karina Bland is raising her 9-year-old son in Tempe with a lot of love, humor and support from her friends and family. A longtime journalist covering child welfare and education issues for The Arizona Republic, she blogs about raising good kids.
Oh, this is so funny,
Oh, this is so funny, Karina. I don't mind the rocks in my boys' pockets - it's the gum and chocolate that drives me nuts. I'm always amazed to see my white shirts come out of the laundry dirtier when they go in. (And what fun it is to remove dried up chocolate from clothing!).
Lattemom is the mother of three energetic kids ages 6, 8 & 11 and a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com.
Boys will be boys. My son -
Boys will be boys.
My son - who also has a fondness for rocks in his pocket - has gotten better about this. Maybe it was my constant nagging about it, but now he now keeps most of his rocks in his backpack.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
Both my girls collect rocks
Both my girls collect rocks - but not to that extent. When my girls were younger they would show me rocks and I would say they needed to remain with their families. They would be missed I would tell them. So, for the most part we look but don't take :)
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
Out of my four only one so
Out of my four only one so far is a collector. She too loves to collect rocks. She also collects seashells to the extent people will bring them to her. Anyhow back to the rocks, she does not usually have them in her pockets....she puts them in bags. She then usually puts the bags under something like a dirty shirt. I usually dont hear rocks in the dryer, I usually step on a small bag of hidden rocks or more fun stub my two on a rock that took two hands to carry in. She will also bring in little pebbles that I don't see until the vacuum starts making scary noises. Because of all of this she is of course not allowed to bring any rocks into the house. So now they are on the side of the house and in a planter pot in front of the house.......
Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.
I once instituted the policy
I once instituted the policy that mom got to keep whatever was left in the washer, thinking I would cash in on the change, $5 bills, etc. that my husband always left in his pocket. Instead I have a haul of rocks, sticks, candy wrappers, unidentified plastic thingies, unidentified metal thingies, rocks, pennies, rocks, buttons, and whatever other treasures my son found that week. Did I mention rocks?
Susan is mom to Alexander, Isabel, David and stepmom to Eric. She does community outreach for arizonamoms. Be sure to enter the Back-to-School $1000 Giveaway every day July 4-31!
My daughter too collects
My daughter too collects rocks. At least now I can be grateful that she keeps them in bags and containers in the garage. She sometimes plays store and pretends to sell them. It's a hoot. Sometimes I don't let her pick them up and sometimes she gets them when she's playing with the neighborhood kids.
You ladies need to buy these
You ladies need to buy these kids rock tumblers :-) My brother loved his when he was little.
Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette
We have a rock tumbler! The
We have a rock tumbler! The problem is it takes weeks for the rocks to finish! But it is a great little project if you can keep them doing it.
Susan is mom to Alexander, Isabel, David and stepmom to Eric. She does community outreach for arizonamoms. Be sure to enter the Back-to-School $1000 Giveaway every day July 4-31!
ok, what's a rock tumbler?
ok, what's a rock tumbler?
Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.
Haha funny! Maybe one day
Haha funny! Maybe one day he'll claim his prize
My daughter collects rocks,
My daughter collects rocks, coins and misc trinkets.
jesshod is an arizonamoms.com discussion leader living in Surprise.