Humor is a highly esteemed trait in people. If someone can make you laugh and enjoy yourself, you can’t help but like them. But does humor mesh with parenting? Absolutely. Each person has their own personality and you have to be true to that. Parenting with humor is a great way to help kids relax and learn to enjoy life even in its simple funny moments. Even though I love humor, I am not all that humorous myself so I am happy to have Donnell Rawlings to share with us about parenting with humor today. He will also share some funny jokes children will love.
Parenting With Humor
You may be familiar with Donnell Rawlings as a comedian, actor and writer, known for “Chappelle’s Show” and “Spider-Man 2” as well as his comedy show tours. You can also catch Donnell Rawlings in “Project Dad,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment original series, which debuted on TLC. The series stars Rawlings, DJ Skribble (MTV’s TRL) and Daniel Cosgrove (Days of our Lives) as cameras capture them in full on dad mode. “Project Dad” serves as an unfiltered look at the challenges families face in today’s world, and the importance of fathers in their children’s lives. Project Dad is currently airing on TLC.
As a comedian, parenting with humor comes naturally to Rawlings. He was kind enough to answer a few questions about parenting with humor and let’s face it, humor get you through the good and the bad so I hope you enjoy.
1) Do you have a personal story you could share about how you used humor with your son to diffuse a tantrum or other situation? (Donnell’s son, Austen, is 17 months).
“One of the most trying times for me is changing my son’s diapers. He makes it seem like it’s the worst thing in the world, which is hard since I’m the one who’s trying to make him fresh and clean! I’ve found if i distract him with fart noises and any sounds that end with eeeeewwwwww I have a 3 minute window to get the dirty work done. Austen is of the age where any weird noise I make is a distraction, and to him very funny. It may not be my finest work, but it works.”
2) What are ways we can teach our children to have more fun, and to not always be so serious?
“My son is at an age where he thinks everything is fun, and if you try to stop play time his world comes crashing down. I think it’s important to have fun with your kids, but it is also important to let them know life is as serious as you take it, and in any situation you can always find some humor, especially when your dad is a comedian and thinks any and everything is funny.”
3) How can we appreciate the funny things our children do?
“Appreciating the funny things our kids do is appreciating the blessing of life. Our kids give us the energy and strength to deal with this crazy world we live in. I think the world would be a better place if we shared more baby pictures when we’re confronted with negativity energy.”
Funny Jokes Children Will Love
4) Also, do you think you could come up with 3-5 simple, funny jokes children will enjoy?
Q. Why was 6 afraid of 7?
A. Because 7,8,9!
Q. What do you call cheese that’s not yours?
A. Nacho cheese
Knock Knock.
who’s there?
Lettuce
Lettuce who?
Lettuce in, it’s freezing out here!
Thanks so much to Donnell Rawlings for sharing with us some perspective on parenting with humor as well as funny jokes children will enjoy.
Thank you for sharing this! It is important to teach our children to have fun. Finding ways to make each other laugh helps us avoid sweating over small stuff. Also, playing and telling jokes makes us feel more connected as a family and more strong as a team.
Humor can surely get you and your family through those dark parts of life! Especially as you grow and can look back and laugh at some of those seemingly impossible challenges you were faced with. You can’t “cry a river….” as the song goes! You just might drown if you do! Living,loving and learning out loud the lessons of life as you shine your light through your smile.
Cheers to a good laugh!