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Got a problem? Just ask a mom
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Published: January 15, 2009
There are many unsung jobs of parenthood. Snotty noses wiped, sticky hands washed, juice spills cleaned.
But there is one job, I think, that sums them all up: "Fixer of All Life's Problems."
Can't tie your shoe? Ask mom. Need a glass of milk? Find dad. Too tired to walk? Ask both, and see who caves first.
It's amazing, really, to think of how many times in a day my children ask for help. I'm not complaining — after all, it kind of comes with the job description — but the demands and requests can become overwhelming at times, especially if you add in other kids.
The other day, three of my friend's children were over, making five little people running around the house. They were hungry; they were thirsty; they needed a wipe. The computer was frozen; controller A on the Xbox wasn't hooked up; no one could find a blue crayon anywhere. Someone got smacked; someone cried and needed a hug; someone bumped her head.
And that was just in the first 30 minutes.
The rest of the afternoon flew by in a blur of arts and crafts (marker doodles on the floor and each other included) and wrestling matches. I felt like I was stuck in a revolving door of requests. At one point, there was actually a line to get my attention — who knew those granola bars could be so difficult to open?
Taken by themselves, not one of their questions or needs was unreasonable. But piled on top of each other, it was more than anyone with just two arms and one brain could handle.
As I helped my friend's kids find their shoes and put back on their sweaty socks, my husband called and asked, "So, what's for dinner?"
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