Playing House

I've been here four days and things are going smoothly. When we got home from the airport on Saturday morning at 7:30am, the 6 year old grabbed a Sprite, explaining, "Mom and Dad said we could have as many sweets as we wanted while you are here", to which I replied, "but your mom and dad aren't here to take care of you when you get sick, so we have a new deal- you can have as many sweets as you want when they get back." I was ready for them to test me, to push their boundaries and see where I would give in. I'm not a parent but I know a thing or two about child development, so they didn't stand a chance. Kids love the idea of no rules, but in reality, they feel safer and more comfortable when they have an adult who is there to hold them to the rules they claim to hate. And they might claim that I'm, "so mean and no fun" when I make them wash their hands or clean up their toys, but they bounce back within about 20 seconds and are happier in the overall scheme of things.

On Sunday we went to the park and played, "babysitter chases 10 kids around the playground for 3 hours." I had brought my book and had visions of sitting peacefully on the side with the other parents, watching them get out all of their energy. And then the camp director in me kicked in and I was the first one to be "it" in tag. I have said it before- I am not really fun. I like to plan fun things and then supervise. Playing tag isn't usually my department. But I used to be fun, and it came back pretty quickly. Other kids noticed our game and said, "can I play?" and by the end, I knew all their names. Also by the end, the game turned from tag into me chasing everyone, and I was probably more tired than the kids, but they went to sleep without a peep that night, so it was worth the running.

Yesterday I got the full "stay at home mom" experience. Breakfast, packing lunches, driving the 6 year old to school, driving the 4 year old to preschool, going back to pick the preschooler up with all of the moms in their trendy jogging suits, playing outside, checking the 6 year old's backpack to look though his folder of notes home and homework, dinner, bed. In addition to the list above, we also made a variety of really messy craft projects that involved paint, plaster of paris and little boys saying, "our parents never let us do this" (you can take the camp director out of camp, but if you're going to give me kids, you know it's going to result in messy creativity). They made presents for their grandma (my aunt) and I was happy to sit in the sun and enjoy them sitting quietly, completely captivated. By that point, I had chased them on their bikes for longer than I imagined I was capable, and I was drained.

Playing house is fun but their parents also have to worry about housework and running errands, managing their soccer practices, doctor appointments and like, a million other details. I can keep them safe and entertained for a week, but being responsible for their personal development is just to much to imagine being in charge of. They are both very polite, sweet, loving and smart. That doesn't just spontaneously happen; it takes a lot of time and effort. I'm not sure I will ever be up to that challenge. I think a week here and there might be sufficient. This experience came complete with a schedule, directions, money for groceries, kids that pretty much know what they have to do and all I have to do is provide the energy to run, a few crafty ideas and the ability to follow directions. Not a bad deal. By the time the novelty wears off (or the honeymoon phase ends and they stop being on their best behavior), I can go home to my fat puppy and sleeping late (I will never be comfortable with 6am, seriously). For now though, I will chase, craft, cook, tell toilet jokes, and be happy and helpful even when it is so early it is dark outside. And I'm enjoying it.