39. Tell us an experience you had as a parent.

From: Philip Harris

I have some interesting experiences as a parent with five children. I will tell of two experiences with my wonderful daughter Renee. She loved horses and always wanted me to buy one for her. One night she talked me into going to a horse auction. Guess what we bought, a horse. Renee took good care of the horse and would sing and read to the horse. We bought hay from Stan Harris. The horse had a problem. It liked to find a place in the fence to get out. The horse would go over onto the golf course. Horses on a golf course are not good. We had to find a good home for the horse and we did.

I always took my kids driving and gave them instructions as they learned to drive. The boys used to drive tractor at Stan Harris' and we always had a field car, I think Brenda also learned on the field car. I took Renee for her first drive on the road after she got her permit. When I got home I was as white as a ghost and Alice said my hair was standing up on my head, I don't think I ever took her driving again. Her mother had to take her. She did become a good driver. She had two different cars while at home. After the driving experience with Renee my hair all fell out. Now when you see me with not much hair you can blame Renee. I still love her very much.

From: Connie Olson

How to pick out just one is hard when you've raised 12 children and half of the neighborhoods kids. I guess I'd have to say that one experience would be when the kids go out on their own. Or go away to school. Joining the service or getting married.

That is preparing them for life on their own after being at home. Most don't have a clue about the outside world, they wouldn't believe what parents have to say anyway. They are at that age where "they know it all". We could talk myself blue in the face trying to prepare them for it to no avail.

So what happens when they realize old mom and dad knew what they were tallking about. They come home and tell us that! Then we know we did something right. That's the best feeling any parent can experience!!!!!