When you got that first job at the grocery store or fast food joint, there was some verbiage in your application that said “and other duties as assigned.” Well, Motherhood is just brimming with surprise duties (and doodies).
New ones pop up every day. From cleaning vomit to removing a splinter from a child who was screaming like she was at a casting call for a horror movie, I can’t tell you how many times I have scratched my head and thought– well, I never saw THAT coming.
Here’s another example. After a recent trip to the lake, I checked my son for ticks. Here we are doing that.
Yet another privilege, is all the stuff you get to carry when you go somewhere. Anywhere. Basically, you become a pack mule.
We are gearing up to go to the beach, and I started a list of things to take. The image of me — as the pack mule motherhood has made me — began to crystallize. I started to feel the weight of our “stuff” on my shoulders as I trudge through hot lumpy sand in flip-flops with two kids in tow. As the list gets longer, in my mind I look like this:
Since chance favors the prepared mom, I have found I can ward off potential problems simply by preparing for them. You know if you don’t take that change of clothes it’s like throwing down a poo gauntlet. And if you don’t bring that favorite (but useless) item you have to listen to repeated requests for it–even after you have already said you don’t have it.
So, now I head back to my list-making. I will try to keep the load light without tempting fate (the poo Gods, in particular) to send me any new duties. Hopefully, in the end, it will really be just a day at the beach!
One of my favorite posts!
Too funny! I was amazed at all of the items you were able to pull out of that backpack at the zoo last week!
And if you had forgotten the baby wipes…well what would we have used to get the bird poo out of my hair?
Great post and oh so very true! I wonder often why the diaper bag weighs more than the baby that belongs with it!
Have a great time at the beach!
Jen
I thought I would bust a gut laughing at this one! Keep on writing, dear heart. Love you, Mam