True Parenting.

As I rang in April, my status update read:
"I hope you're not too owned by what I'm about to say, but I'm just going to throw this out there: If you haven't ever parented a redhead...you haven't really parented."

That status got seventeen "likes," mainly from redheads, mothers or aunts of redheads, or just sympathizers.  It also generated quite the chain of coments:

~Beth (a mother of five, but no redheads)~your day must be shaping up to be AWESOME!
~Millicent (a friend of mine who is familiar with Darby's antics)~ ha ha ha! I think my grandmother would have agreed with you ;)
~Emily (a dear friend and redhead herself)~Although I have not raised a redhead....I am one and so is my sister (just like Darby and Naomi!). I KNOW we gave our mom a run for her money!! Love you and, yes, want to talk sooooooonnnn! 
~Paige (a friend with some redheaded siblings.  Pray for Paige.  She will probably be a mother of a redhead one day)~bahaha truth. talk to my parents, they raised 2. 
~Mike (friend.  No redheads, but I commend him for raising kids anyway.  Some people will just never understand the difference)~What does red hair have to do with it???? I think of a brunette. 
~ Bobbi (friend)~I didn't birth a redhead either but am one so do know what it is like. My poor Mama!!!
~ Stacy (friend, and mother of two+ redheads.  Oh, and she's married to one.  And, on a good day, when she's standing in the sun, she's red, too.  In short, they're doomed.)~YES!
~Kim (My mom.  She would know. The poor woman is MARRIED to one!)~And you've done it twice !!
~Holly (Friend, and mother of two of the cutest little redhead ladies I know)~Amen, sister. And I've got double the red-headed fun in my house!
~ME~You and me both, Holly! There's a REASON I used to call Tate "The Red Flash!" AAAAHHHH! Someone tell me I'll make it! HAHA!
~Jen~ (New mother to a little redhead girlie girl.  Hopefully I haven't scared her too badly with all Darby's antics!)B is starting to scream.... and it begins... 
~Andrea (Mothered a redhead BY HERSELF for the most part!  This lady is my hero)~ i concur!!!
 ~Michelle (Wife of a redhead, who, by the way, is STILL a "Red Flash)~My mother-in law would concur!

And finally, there was one last rebuttal, one in which I had to stop and think.  I totally concur.  This mother is also in our club by default.  SHE is a redhead, and is parenting twins.  She had round-the-clock help at her house for EIGHT MONTHS, had to have some surgeries after birth and had to deal with a baby in a diaper in a cast up to his hip for two months.  She is a champion.  I tip my hat to her.  She is my friend, Mary, and she said:  "That's what I say about being a parent of twins...'you've never really parented until you have multiples'!!! And that is said by a red head :-). Your redheads are awesome!"  I have to wonder, however, if her parents would agree (wink, wink).

 Just this morning, I had a friend say to me, "Kelly, the Little Red Pixie stories are becoming a highlight. I love them. And I am so thankful my kids are blonde." See?  I'm just raising awareness here, folks! 

You see, there are a couple different viewpoints regarding redheads.  Some are right, and some just need to be enlightened.  I hope that you are blessed to parent a redhead if you haven't already.  Then, you will be in "the club," and you will finally understand.  Until then, keep on keepin' on.  Parent your heart out!  Enjoy every minute of it!  Eat, Drink and Be Merry!  ...because if YOUR nurses say, on delivery day, "Oh!  Look!  A Redhead!!!"...you're done for.  I say this with a smile on my face, and a twinkle in my eye.