Amy's Mama Drama

Is that a picture of a carpet stain?

Just so you know... I share a digital camera with my daughters. Therefore my screen saver pulls the photos they've taken as well as the ones I have.

So if you ever come to my office and see the multitude of Barbie, linoleum and rear-end pics float across my screen, it's not me.

It's All in the Tail

The Daddy is held up at work, so I have homework duty tonight while the casserole is baking. How hard can it be?!

I read the directions out loud to Boo, my Kindergartner, "Circle all the pictures that rhyme with CAT."

Boo looks at me, looks at the paper and starts circling with a pencil. When she is done, she turns to me, "Am I done now, Mama?"

I review the circles. "Well, how about this one, Boo? Does it rhyme with CAT?"

Boo looks at the picture, "Yep!"

I smile patiently, "Well, let's sound it out. Mmmmm, mmm, oww, ssssssssssss. M-ow-sss. Does that rhyme with CAT?"

She doesn't bat an eye, "No, that doesn't rhyme with CAT. But Rrrrr, rrrr, aaaa, t. Rrrr-aa-t does." She gets up, pats my shoulder and says, "Thanks, Mom."

I look at the homework sheet again. Crap. It IS a rat.

I turn to Peanut, who has been quietly doing her homework, "What can I help you with?" I ask.

"Uh, I'm good mom, thanks. I think you've got your hands full with Boo's homework," she says kindly.

God help me, it's true.

A Peek Into the Future: The Body Talk

Oh, how I dread it. The beginning of sex education. It's not that I don't know how it all works, or that I don't want to discuss it. It's more about, oh, the times are different! What will my girls think? What will I say? What if they don't say anything?!

But my dear friend B shares this story below, and it comforts me and reminds me of my take on the whole thing at 10. Despite the passing of 30+ years, girls are girls and boys are boys and not much has changed over the years...

This conversation took place after school, on Body Talk day.

B (the Mama): What's the matter E, why are you so mad?

E (the 10-year old daughter): Mommy, Nurse Carol talked to us today. And talked and talked and talked! It was like, for an hour! But you know what? The boys! In 15 minutes the boys were told they had to start wearing deodorant and then they got recess for 45 minutes! It's just not fair!

B: Yes, honey, I know. It isn't fair. And this is only the beginning...

Harry Potter: 1, Mom: 0

I spy the first Harry Potter book, with the bookmark deeper into the pages than it was a few days earlier.

Me: Looks like you've really gotten into Harry Potter, Peanut!

Peanut: Yep. I like it. It's really fun. 

Me: Wow. That's great! So, you really like the book and you're not just saying that to make me happy?

Peanut (looking at me, bewildered): I would never say something just to make you happy, Mom. Geesh.