Do Your Kids Crack You Up? [EXPERT]

My daughter is having a Bat Mitzvah in September. It's a huge event in the life of an adolescent girl that involves a ton of preparation. Over the next few months, she needs to learn to read Hebrew, prepare a sermon about the story of the week, write a thankfulness speech, prepare for the candle lighting ceremony, as well as prepare all the details involved in throwing a major blow-out party. So together, we are trying to stay ahead of the curve and get as much done as possible. 10 Ways To Keep Your Kids From Growing Up Too Fast EXPERT

This week we decided to work on the invitations. The theme is candy-land, sweets, Willy Wonka...that sort of thing. I sent the copy to our very talented graphic designer with minimal instruction and yesterday she sent us the first draft of her creation. Here is the copy I sent:

You are invited to join us and share in our happiness when Ferne is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah
On Saturday, September 1st, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.
Temple Kol Ami
36 Atkinson Avenue
Thornhill, Ontario L4J 8C9
Kiddush Luncheon to follow

Our celebration continues with excitement at 6:00 p.m. at the Riviera Parque Banquet Hall
2800 Hwy #7 West, Vaughan, Ontario L4K 1W8
RSVP to Kim Ades by Aug 5, 2012 - 416 829 4056
Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements—vegetarian, vegan, kosher or have any food allergies
Dress: Hip

Ferne had not seen the copy before yesterday. Keeping in mind that she goes to French school and sometimes has a unique interpretation of the English language, here's what she said, "There's a typo mom. There should be a space between 'lunch and on'. What are they going to have lunch on anyways? The tables? What does that even mean?"

I was on the floor. How do you explain that luncheon is a word to someone who is convinced that it's two words without a space in between. The bigger problem is that she is right—where the heck did the word luncheon com from anyways and how does it make any sense?

I was giggling as I tried to show her that the word was real. The more that I thought about it, the more I laughed. As I tucked her in, she made another comment. "Did you know that I love making you laugh?" I do know that she loves to make me laugh. All my kids do. They get some kind of kick from seeing me laugh and they walk away with a sense of pride that they were able to deliver the gift of such joy. Nothing makes them feel better than knowing that they contributed to your happiness.

Do you allow your kids to give you the joy of laughter? Do you let yourself play long enough to get the joke? Do you even take the time to hear them when they are funny...even if they don't intend to be? Do you factor in the self confidence and self worth they derive when you express your appreciation for them through your laughter? Live a little—Laugh a little! Finding Your Funny Bone EXPERT