I’ve stated before that Scott and I are very affectionate. I
make it a point to be affectionate with him in front of the girls. Not only do
I do it because they get slightly embarrassed (I swear it’s all G-rated
affection) but I do it to show them that affection is acceptable. It isn’t
something to sequester away behind the bedroom door. I show them that couples
should hold hands, kiss, and snuggle and that there isn’t anything wrong with
it. Our affection lets them know that even when we disagree, yell, or argue we
still love each other. And ninety percent of the time if the girls see us
argue, they see us apologize and make-up as well.
Typically, I tell the girls that we are smooching but this
week I discovered an even better word:
Canoodle is a
verb from the 1850s that means to hug and kiss.
Example: Clarissa
caught her cousin Charity canoodling with Clyde,
the city’s chaste clerk of courts, in a clumsily concealed covered carriage close
to a cobblestone curb.
I have heard that word before, but I had no idea it was that old!
ReplyDeleteAlso, the smooching that goes on in our house, causes far too many groans from the peanut gallery as well. Does it stop my wife and I? Hardly! :)
Good for you! That peanut gallery works in my house too! Although for the most part they've taken to just ignoring us!
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ReplyDeleteI never liked watching my parents be all lovey-dovey with each other, nor do I like seeing anyone else really do that. But I absolutely love the reason why you do it. That's brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I really believe that kids need to see the affection in a real relationship - not just the pretend things they see on tv or movies!
DeleteMy parents always greeted one another with a hug and a kiss in the kitchen at the end of every work day. It was a nice reminder to the whole family that personal connection matters a lot.
ReplyDeleteLove canoodling! Such a fun word! I will totally have to introduce that one to my kids tomorrow. One of those gems I always forget about until it makes a random appearance. :)
What a great word! Affection is so important to show when felt. Too many of us are too repressed or stoic or whatever!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see the time you posted - here in South Africa mine went up at 9.00 a.m. - about an hour and a half ago. Going on 10.30 a.m. here in Johannesburg SA
I have them scheduled to post at midnight Eastern Standard Time...I think that's GMT-5...but I am usually up at that time anyway. I just figure if they go up at midnight then they get a full 24 hours in the spotlight.
DeleteCanoodle brings up images of a 1930's summer evening, sitting on the porch with your sweetheart, doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Slow summer twilight, tall iced tea...maybe every a mint julep (I am in the south, you know), crickets and cicadas chirping away...
DeleteMan! I need me a hammock or at the very least some real patio furniture!
Canoodle is one of my fave words *grins* I'm enjoying your posts, keep up the most excellent words.
ReplyDeleteI loved to use this word before I found out just how dated it was ;)
ReplyDeleteDamyanti @Daily(w)rite
Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2013
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Glad you specified it's all g-rated, I thought you were dry humping in front of your kids (not really). I'm enjoying this theme of yours!
ReplyDeleteI'm by no means a prude but I do try to keep the porn on the internet where it belongs!
DeleteMan did that come out sounding all manner of wrong and awkward!!
Canoodle is such an adorable word. Your post was very sweet.
ReplyDeleteCatch you at 'd'
Donna
I love the word and do seem to have known it all my life.
ReplyDeleteCute word and even better tale. Kids definitely hate to see their parents being affectionate even in the most G-rated sense.
ReplyDeleteHello! I love the word canoodle!! My parents were always affectionate to each other in front of my siblings and me, too. I remember my friends used to think it was adorable to see my parents holding hands and kiss hello and bye. I didn't think it was anything unusual until I realized that not too many parents show affection in front of their children. You're right that it is really nice for us kids to see how much our parents cherish each other! Your kids will remember that so keep on canoodling and smooching!
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
That's my hope! When they get old I want them to remember that their parents were affectionate and loving even during bad times!
DeleteI'm with Ken, I had no idea it was that old, either! That is a really fun one. And I think kids protest at displays of affection between their parents, but secretly they like it :)
ReplyDeleteThat word is perfect and sums up that affectionate embrace and kiss so well!
ReplyDeleteMore parents should show their kids that it is alright to hug or "Canoodle".
ReplyDeleteBTW That really is a sentence packed with c words.
Nice post.
Thanks
Thanks. I'm wearing out my thesaurus, I can tell you, coming up with those sentences!
DeleteI like that word 'canoodle' and am herewith stealing it for regular use. I too believe in canoodling around kids.
ReplyDeleteJagoda at conflicttango.com
One more word - Thank you for enriching the vocab this month
ReplyDelete:) That's a great way to teach your kids about healthy relationships. We do the same thing with our girls... At 11 and 12, they moan about how gross it is that people KISS, but it's good for them to observe.
ReplyDeleteJo
In Which We Start Anew
Such a great word! Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog and I enjoyed it. Please visit us at http://citymusecountrymuse2012.blogspot.com/ and, if you like what you see, sign up to become a member.
ReplyDeleteI almost came close to deleting this because it sounded so much like spam! But I'll swing by your blog and check it out. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI like your reasoning, now that I'm more of an adult than a kid! My parents were never affectionate in front of my sister and me, and perhaps that's why I'm always surprised to see two adults canoodling.
ReplyDeleteHaha! What fun. Canoodling... I love that word. I love your blog too as it's touching on that which I am just now beginning to seek: my truest, most authentic self.
ReplyDeleteYes that's a nice word and I have heard it before. But you're right in helping children see that mummy and daddy love each other!
ReplyDeleteKeep Calm and A-Z
An A-Z of learning English
Round the world from A to Z
I've always enjoyed the word "canoodle," but I never use it. I must find a way to work it into a sentence!
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
I much prefer "canoodle' to some of the crass terminology some people use nowadays. Something to be said for innocent romantic fun and affection.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
I think that's one of the reasons why I love my theme so much this year. More descriptive words to improve our vocabulary should always be something we strive for.
DeleteI like "canoodle" what a great word. I would agree with you on canoodling in front of your kids. My boys squawk about it but its good for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post, I'm out traveling the high ways and by ways of A-Z land and trying to pop in on as many folks as possible.
Margot at A Devotional Mosaic and Spark My Creativity
I just think it's fun to say. I'm always calling my toddler a "crazy canoodle"!
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