The Only Rule That Matters

Here at Casa de Monkeys, we have a handful of basic rules to live by:

Give thanks to God.

Be kind.

Share.

Respect others.

But there if I had to pick one of our rules, just one, for all three of the Royal Monkeys to take forward into life, it would be this one:

Stick Together.

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What started several years back when Princess Pinky was a toddler and I was hugely preggers with Prince Tatertot - meaning I was in no shape to chase down a speedy wee one in all those public places where kids can get lost or hurt in a blink of an eye - has evolved into so much more.

Back then, Stick Together was the literal truth; the wee Pinkygirl clutched my hand, or leg, or the grocery cart, and didn't let go until she got the ok from me.

When Prince Tatertot came along and grew big enough to watch his sis play from the comfort of the double stroller, Stick Together became a directive to Princess Pinky, like I'm going to run this empty juicebox over to that trashcan 10 feet away - you Stick Together here with baby Tater and watch Mommy, 'kay?

Before I knew it, the wee Tater was up and walking and testing his independence. Stick Together became our mantra:

We're here at the store, grab hands and Stick Together until we get a cart.

Or, we can only go to the park if we can all Stick Together.

Or, if some other kids don't play so nice, you guys remember we share and we Stick Together - don't let anyone push your (not so) little brother around.

Along came Sir Screamsalot into the monkey mix; when, at eighteen months, he began chiming in with the big kids, "Sshtik Tugedder," it was one of those rare Mommying moments when I was finally damn sure I'd done something right.

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One of the best payoffs of mommying is actually having honest and real dialogues with those weefolk you've been loving through the hailstorms of the early years. Now, at six and a half, with a mind exploding with ideas and new knowledge every day, I can talk with Princess Pinky about why Stick Together is the only rule that matters to me:

Stick Together as a family means we can always count on each other;

Stick Together as Christians means we'll never forget Who put us here and, more importantly, that He'll never forget us;

Stick Together as citizens means being part of what's good in our country and our world by lending a hand to help whenever we can;

Stick Together and you will never be alone in this world.

WM