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Mommies channel their inner drill sergeants
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Published: October 15, 2009
"Ten-HUT!" Is this an Army sergeant's call to attention, or a mom's announcement that dinner is served?
I overheard one mom comment that she often feels more like a drill sergeant than a mother. "That's because more often we are drill sergeants," I wanted to respond. Do you constantly bark out orders that are only understood by your subordinates when they begin with action verbs and are delivered in a crisp, stern, slightly loud voice? Welcome to the Army ... and parenthood!
Turns out the militia and mommies have a lot in common.
I never understood cease fires. How odd that countries agree not to engage in combat on Christmas Day, only to wake up on Dec. 26 and continue the battle. It baffled me — until one day in the car when I instituted Operation Be Quiet.
With both kids bickering non-stop, I screamed "No one says another word for the rest of the ride home!" Wait a minute: I just instructed two warring parties to hold their fire for a set period of time, knowing full well the fighting would inevitably begin again. I just called my own cease fire!
Another similarity? Older siblings are like seasoned soldiers. To some extent they've figured out how to survive the system. Younger siblings are the plebes, desperately trying to find their way. Their mentors help to some extent but generally let the plebes fend for themselves, with initiation pranks scattered in between.
Drill sergeants have military cadences, call-and-response work songs traditionally sung to accomplish tasks like running or marching. Thanks to The Wonder Pets, parents have their own cadence that helps finish jobs like cleaning up toys. "What's gonna work? Teamwork! What's Gonna Work? TEAMWORK!"
Veterans Day celebrates the armed forces with parades and ceremonies. Mother's Day and Father's Day celebrate parents. I love breakfast in bed and homemade gifts. Although the chance to sit in a convertible and wave to admiring onlookers does sound appealing.
Sergeants command respect. Parents do, too, but I'm curious how the sergeants have more success with this endeavor. Must be the hat. Note to self: Purchase Army sergeant hat at local Halloween store this month. Routine and order is just as critical to an Army platoon's success as it is to mine. When the routine buckles, a major snafu occurs.
And perhaps the biggest similarity between cadets and parents? Both do more before 9 a.m. than most people do all day.
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