Betsy of Fluffy Windover's Diary talks about parents' "thing" aka obsession when it comes to their children in this week's Toddler Thursday:

I got together with another toddler mom the other day, and she was saying that she obsesses about her daughter’s eating habits. She (the mom) had struggled with her weight as a child and didn't want her daughter to face those same struggles. So she bans all sweets and juice. There is no mac and cheese or fish sticks in her house, no packaged snacks. Her 2 year-old daughter must eat the same healthy food as the rest of the family. She said, “It’s just my thing. I guess every parent has their thing, right?”

I started thinking about it, whether I had a “thing” as a parent. I guess my “thing” is manners. My worst nightmare (second, of course, to some tragedy or health problem) is that Edwin will be a rude, disrespectful kid. You know the ones. The ones you see in a store or restaurant and say to yourself, “I would never let my child act like that!” The ones who go to someone else’s house and make a mess, who don’t say please and thank you, and who generally make outings unpleasant for their parents and everyone else.

I realize that expecting perfect manners from a 2 year-old is much like expecting a wild rhinoceros to sit down for tea. But still, I constantly worry that Edwin will be one of “those” kids. Sure, he says “please” and “thank you”. But he also barks orders at everyone (including Grandma), and shouts, “Right NOW!” when he wants something. And you should hear the way he talks to our dogs sometimes. (Dog-owning parents, be careful how you talk to your dogs: there’s nothing like hearing your 2 year-old shout, “MOVE!!!” at the dog and realize it sounds familiar because you just shouted that yourself 10 minutes earlier.)

I guess all you can do is stress manners until they become second nature to your child. Excuse me while I go remind that wild rhinoceros not to throw his teacup across the room when he’s finished.

What's your "thing?"