Cheaper by the "half dozen".

Yesterday I watched "Cheaper by the Dozen II" with my kids (for the hundredth time, I love that movie). There are so many great lines in the movie that epitomize real life and make us think about what we are doing as parents. But Yesterday one line really got my attention like never before.

The Bakers and the Murtaughs have raced to the hospital where the oldest has just had a baby. The family is gathered around the bed and she tells them the name of the baby boy. "We named him Tom. Because dad has shown us that there is no perfect parent".

No perfect parent! What?! Isn't that our quest in life? That got me thinking about the characters more. Murtaugh is portrayed as the "bad" guy. But I never really thought so. I was rooting him on.

In the end both parents have to learn to let their kids leave and choose what they want. Both took different roads to get their children where they are. Neither was wrong. Steve Martin has a line in the movie where he says "Don't tell me how to raise my children". I think what made Murtaugh the "bad" guy was his judgment on the Baker family.

We as parents have a great blessing and that is the freedom to raise our kids the way we choose, using the methods we like and agree with. The opportunities we create for our children give them wonderful learning experiences. Learning experiences we want them to have. That is a freedom I think more people need to fight for.

In the end they both are the good parents and their kids love them and embrace them. On a religious note...Our Heavenly Father gave us Free Agency for many reasons. I believe on of those reasons is we all have different talents and missions to fulfill here on Earth. If we all did everything the same and only had one choice, it would be very hard to fulfill our missions and reach our potentials.

I don't have quiet the dozen. Not even half a dozen. We are a family of 5. But I like to think we are a bit like the Murtaughs and the Bakers. All learning to give our kids everything we can in this life. Our goal is to give them what they need to return Home to our Heavenly Father. Along the way we hope they find out what their talents are, what their mission is, and have the tools to succeed.