Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Oh, How I Cringe

I shouldn't, but I do.

Inevitably, anywhere from 5-10 times each day I hear, "Mom, can you play Littlest Pet Shop with me, please?"

And it makes me cringe.

Now, let me take a step to the side here and say that I am enormously proud that my 5 and/or 3 year old daughter(s) has phrased such a polite question. *HOWEVER* I don't like to play Littlest Pet Shop...or Barbies, or dollies, or animals, or you fill-in-the-blank. Isn't that what sisters are for? Isn't that why I birthed you 17 months apart?

-I digress-

It's not that I don't want to spend time with my child. I'll read you books all day. Come do chores with me. Heck, hop in the shower; I don't care! In fact, I'm used to it! I just.don't.like.playing.pretend. Anybody else?

If we play Barbies, I'll spend my time sorting the clothes and changing outfits. Because that's what I have to do to make it enjoyable for me. But, it bothers my girls. Case and point: "Mom, what are you doing? Please stop."

So, I'm trying to come up with ways I can play pretend with my girls (because it is so obviously important to them) without being terribly annoyed and so they know I love them dearly and want to spend time with them and build wonderful memories.

Here's what I have so far.

Rule #1: I will play with you as long as I can stay in one place. aka, I will play with you as long as you tell me what to say verbatim and I can sit here like the lazy slug that I am.

So far, they haven't fought me too much on this one...

Rule #2: It's okay if Mommy closes her eyes. This one will probably never fly.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

If you can do this...

If you can do any of the following by yourself, or without causing someone emotional trauma...you must not have children.

*go to the bathroom
*take a shower
*stand
*sit on the couch
*get dressed
*brush your teeth
*run errands
*open the door
*close the door
*sleep
*wake up
*read a book
*watch a movie

Seriously, it's that joyous time of life when someone needs me at all times. I'm getting better at expecting that and rolling with the punches, all without losing my mind. How's that for a magic trick?