| I hang out with the other mommies. No, I am not a | | | | Poopasaurus, because...oh wait just a minute. I have to |
| "Mister Mom" or a "Househusband". I do have one | | | | go clean up a mess. Another mess. |
| enviable situation, though. I work from home and I have | | | | I've already written about the challenges of dressing a |
| the flexibility to say, "This morning I am going to spend | | | | toddler while she's running bounding over the couch at |
| with my daughters. I can play with them. I can sing with | | | | record-shattering speeds: |
| them. I can laugh with them. I can clean up their ice | | | | Then there is the atmosphere. Now that Little Lady |
| cream that drips all over me." | | | | doesn't nap anymore, she can get mighty cranky. I |
| Or I can say, "This morning I am taking my daughters | | | | know the feeling. It doesn't take much to get a good |
| to the play center, where they can play with other | | | | wail going. And she has lungs. Or she might break a |
| children, sing with other children, laugh with other | | | | few rules or a few toys. Or she might just disobey. It |
| children and spill ice cream on other children instead of | | | | doesn't take long for a parent to lose patience. |
| on me." | | | | Crying. Stress. Babies sense it, and Little Sister can get |
| So I hang out with the other mommies. | | | | cranky, too. It's a whole wailing chorus. Before long, the |
| I've noticed that many mommies want to start a home | | | | tension in our house can get so thick you could almost |
| daycare. The reasoning seams to go like this. | | | | cut it with a chainsaw. Almost. |
| | | | Does it get any better in a daycare? Yes. You can |
| 1. I'm at home within my own children anyway. | | | | take in only children who are completely toilet trained. |
| 2. So far I have remained relatively unscathed, with | | | | Unfortunately, those children can climb counters. And |
| few permanent injuries. | | | | chairs. And tables. And balconies. |
| 3. How much trouble can a few extra children running | | | | If you still want to tempt fate and see how many |
| around spilling ice cream on the rug cause? | | | | children it takes to cause irreparable damage to your |
| 4. Let's tempt fate. | | | | house, your car and your body, here are four tips: |
| I have two children, a toddler and a baby. They are | | | | |
| enough of a handful, and the baby can't even climb on | | | | 1. Keep all sharp objects, cleansers and medications in |
| counters...yet. | | | | a safe place...like another town. |
| Before setting up your own home daycare, consider | | | | 2. Laminate your couch. And your carpets. And your |
| this: how many more inspiring diaper-changing hours do | | | | clothes. And your ceiling. And your food. |
| you want to spend each day? Little Lady is on her | | | | 3. Get a good pair of industrial strength earplugs - the |
| sixth month of perpetual toilet-training. If there is a | | | | kind they give the guy who pushes the rockets off a |
| purgatory, this is it. Too old to just carry her treasures | | | | Cape Canaveral. |
| in her quick-change diapers, too young to just go on | | | | 4. Place Velcro strips along your walls...just in case. |
| her own, stuck in the middle in a high-maintenance | | | | That's about all the advice I can offer. Oh yes, and did I |
| waiting room of sorts. Little Sister has a nickname: | | | | mention to have fun. |