| I hang out with the other mommies. No, I
| |
| | minute. I have to go clean up a mess.
|
| am not a "Mister Mom" or a
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| | Another mess.
|
| "Househusband". I do have one enviable
| |
| | I've already written about the challenges
|
| situation, though. I work from home and
| |
| | of dressing a toddler while she's running
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| I have the flexibility to say, "This
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| | bounding over the couch at
|
| morning I am going to spend with my
| |
| | record-shattering speeds:
|
| daughters. I can play with them. I can
| |
| | Then there is the atmosphere. Now that
|
| sing with them. I can laugh with them.
| |
| | Little Lady doesn't nap anymore, she can
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| I can clean up their ice cream that drips
| |
| | get mighty cranky. I know the feeling.
|
| all over me."
| |
| | It doesn't take much to get a good wail
|
| Or I can say, "This morning I am taking
| |
| | going. And she has lungs. Or she might
|
| my daughters to the play center, where
| |
| | break a few rules or a few toys. Or she
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| they can play with other children, sing
| |
| | might just disobey. It doesn't take long
|
| with other children, laugh with other
| |
| | for a parent to lose patience.
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| children and spill ice cream on other
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| | Crying. Stress. Babies sense it, and
|
| children instead of on me."
| |
| | Little Sister can get cranky, too. It's
|
| So I hang out with the other mommies.
| |
| | a whole wailing chorus. Before long, the
|
| I've noticed that many mommies want to
| |
| | tension in our house can get so thick you
|
| start a home daycare. The reasoning
| |
| | could almost cut it with a chainsaw.
|
| seams to go like this.
| |
| | Almost.
|
| 1. I'm at home within my own children
| |
| | Does it get any better in a daycare?
|
| anyway.
| |
| | Yes. You can take in only children who
|
| 2. So far I have remained relatively
| |
| | are completely toilet trained.
|
| unscathed, with few permanent injuries.
| |
| | Unfortunately, those children can climb
|
| 3. How much trouble can a few extra
| |
| | counters. And chairs. And tables. And
|
| children running around spilling ice
| |
| | balconies.
|
| cream on the rug cause?
| |
| | If you still want to tempt fate and see
|
| 4. Let's tempt fate.
| |
| | how many children it takes to cause
|
| I have two children, a toddler and a
| |
| | irreparable damage to your house, your
|
| baby. They are enough of a handful, and
| |
| | car and your body, here are four tips:
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| the baby can't even climb on
| |
| | 1. Keep all sharp objects, cleansers and
|
| counters...yet.
| |
| | medications in a safe place...like
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| Before setting up your own home daycare,
| |
| | another town.
|
| consider this: how many more inspiring
| |
| | 2. Laminate your couch. And your
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| diaper-changing hours do you want to
| |
| | carpets. And your clothes. And your
|
| spend each day? Little Lady is on her
| |
| | ceiling. And your food.
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| sixth month of perpetual toilet-training.
| |
| | 3. Get a good pair of industrial strength
|
| If there is a purgatory, this is it.
| |
| | earplugs - the kind they give the guy who
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| Too old to just carry her treasures in
| |
| | pushes the rockets off a Cape Canaveral.
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| her quick-change diapers, too young to
| |
| | 4. Place Velcro strips along your
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| just go on her own, stuck in the middle
| |
| | walls...just in case.
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| in a high-maintenance waiting room of
| |
| | That's about all the advice I can offer.
|
| sorts. Little Sister has a nickname:
| |
| | Oh yes, and did I mention to have fun.
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| Poopasaurus, because...oh wait just a
| |
| |
|
