My bloggy mate Tash at Gift Grapevine recently shared the cutest post, where she interviewed her toddler and got a progress report on how she is doing as a mum.
Bloggers tend to be generous folks, so when I complimented her she suggested I try an interview with my kidults (aka grown kids).
A rare photo with my two hooman kids, and even one of the fur kids (this is Seth)
So here’s what Mr 22 and Miss 19 had to say about me as a mum …
What is the best thing about having me as your mum?
Miss 19: You’re my bestie!
Mr 22: You clean my feet with the foot spa when my feet are gross and you cook and you tidy everything, and you are easy to talk to – and you have Sophie (my stuffed toy puppy is a bit of a family favourite …) .
They have always loved Sophie the stuffed toy puppy …
What is the worst thing about having me as your mum?
Miss 19: You take Dad’s side sometimes – which is poo – and gang up on me (funny how parents tend to do that!).
Mr 22: You always do stuff for Miss 19 instead of me (To which Miss 19 responded: Are you kidding me?! You get everything you ever want, you got my old bedroom, and Mum and Dad spoil you … )
-Brief interval for a sibling spat-
Whatโs my worst habit?
Miss 19: You jiggle your foot when you’re watching TV – oh and you choke on your cereal every morning without fail! (It’s true – it nearly always makes me cough. Weird that).
Mr 22: You eat really loudly (humph he can talk) oh and yeah the foot wiggling – though I do it too, but not as much as you. Snowmanning! (Family name for when I am being a know-it-all – it’s a long story, for another time!).
Whatโs my best habit?
Miss 19: You make me cups of tea without me even having to ask ๐ .
Mr 22: You’re always on the computer which is good – because you embrace technology. You’re neat and clean.
What do you admire about me?
Miss 19: Everything! The fact that you’re cool even though your mum was crazy, and you have your own business, and you win awards and stuff, and you’re so confident. You are very approachable.
Mr 22: You’re very entrepreneurial, and you are very family oriented (to which Miss 19 commented: What a suckup! and Mr 22 retorted: Well I’d rather have mum as my mum, than her mum!).
I also admire how you’re like a punching bag (not physically – he meant metaphorically – ie everybody dumps on me – typical mum really).
We are family … March 2016
Why do you love me?
Miss 19: Because you’re the best mum in the whole world!
Mr 22: Because you do everything for me – though I do my own washing now so I’m pretty good.
What do you like best about being my kid?
Miss 19: You spoil me ๐ .
Mr 22: Sophie!
What is your favourite thing to do with me?
Miss 19: Bonding over jigsaw puzzles and a cup of tea (guess what we were doing just before I did this interview), and op shopping together.
Mr 22: You help me take the rubbish out and you go to the doctors with me.
What is your favourite meal for dinner?
Miss 19: Enchiladas or mum’s spaghetti.
Mr 22: Chettinaw chicken (eww says Miss 19) or gnocchi.
Why am I lucky to have you as a daughter/son?
Miss 19: Coz at least you’re not stuck with stoopid boys all the time! Oh, and because I tell you that you’re pretty all the time – even more than Dad does!
Mr 22: Coz I’m literally perfect – I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs, and I don’t go out partying (Miss 19 is quick to say “me too!” for all of these). And I’m aspirational (Miss 19 retorted: You’re not inspirational! – to which Mr 22 replied: I didn’t say I was. I said “aspirational” … brief interval for a sibling wrestle match)
It’s a sibling selfie!
Is there anything else youโd like to say about me?
Miss 19: I dunno, it’s hard without a topic to prompt me. You love cats and turquoise, will that do?!
Mr 22: I’m glad you’re not your mum (I am too!).
The kids then turned the tables on me, and made me answer all the above questions about THEM – and I Must Confess, it’s not as easy as I thought. So huge respect to them for being so agreeable and participating so beautifully when I hit them up for this blog post.
Like Tash, I’d love to read more interviews with your kids – whether they be toddlers, tweens, teens or full grown – so let me know if you do get inspired to try it!
Linking up with My Home Truths.
Julia says
Man you have some great kids!
Janet Camilleri says
I must admit I’m pretty darn proud of them and love just chilling with them xxx
Tegan says
Aww what a brilliant post. It must make you feel wonderful to have such awesome, loving kids.
Janet Camilleri says
They’re pretty good. Doing this interview with them and then returning the favour made me realise I don’t tell them often enough!
Tash @ Gift Grapevine says
I love this!!!! So glad you could play along. I’m impressed (but also slightly grossed out) that you still clean Mr 22’s feet! They’re lucky to have you xx
Dion says
I’m sure as heck not going to touch them lol! I hate feet, even my own! I’m lucky to have such a cool mum ๐
Janet Camilleri says
Naww thanks D-meister, I’m the lucky one x
Janet Camilleri says
The foot spa does most of the hard work, then I use the pumice stone ๐
Laurie (aka Aroha shhh) says
Great read, must try it with my 8 year old. Although I imagine I’d get a lot of “I don’t know” or “Just because” as answers. I have to say though…stop doing everything for your 22 year old son, your future daughter-in-law won’t appreciate it!!! ๐ haha
Janet Camilleri says
He SAYS that, but the fact is he is very OCD and likes things just so – which means if you want it done, do it yourself!! He even rearranged my pantry when we were away last year! The only thing he doesn’t really do is cook but I’m happy to do that ๐
Denyse Whelan Blogs says
What a beautiful interview. You need to be taking as many pats of the back you can from these kids. Their words are precious. Wonderful!!
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Denyse ๐
Jo says
Awesome. Lovely kids! Says a lot about you and hubster x
Janet Camilleri says
I feel so blessed to have such a great relationship with them x
inthegoodbooksblog says
I love your kids responses! I wonder if I asked my three daughters these questions, what answers I would receive…
Janet Camilleri says
Give it a try, hopefully you will have as much fun with it as we did!
Nicole @ The Builder's Wife says
Love, love, love this idea. Going to try it out on my older kids as well. ๐
Janet Camilleri says
Awesome! And if you do turn it into a blog post, would love to read it so make sure you let me know!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I loved getting a glimpse into the personality of your kids – especially Mr 22!
Janet Camilleri says
I thought you might be interested, you can tell a lot about him from this I think ๐
Vanessa says
Aw, what a great interview! And great idea. How cool would it be to repeat these every year as they grow up and see how things change? Though I’m guessing during the mid-teen years no parent might like the answers haha.
Janet Camilleri says
Yup we sure went through those years Vanessa and I think you would be right!
Pinky Poinker says
“The fact that youโre cool even though your mum was crazy, and you have your own business, and you win awards and stuff, and youโre so confident. You are very approachable.”
That says it all. And you are very approachable. You’re an instantly likeable person Janet.
Janet Camilleri says
Naww thanks Pinky. And yet not everybody likes me. Obviously they have a serious problem. LOL!
Shauna 'Round the Corner says
What beautiful children you have there Janet. I might just be tempted to give this a go. Being much younger than yours I can almost pre-empt some of the responses from my two, but I could be wrong! They might surprise me. Hmmm…. we’ll see.
Janet Camilleri says
Go for it Shauna, we had so much fun with it – they might just surprise you. And I’m sure they wouldn’t object if you turned the tables and answered the questions about THEM!