The Dynamic Duo

I’m sure you will all be glad to know that UltraMom is feeling a lot better. Still a little sqeamish in the tummy and a little weaker than her usual robust self, but definitely on an upward trend. I was kind of looking forward to having to take a sick day from work. I know, I know, I said I don’t like to use my paid leave up that way, and I really don’t, but I just really didn’t want to go to work today. However, after taking inventory of my ability to eat breakfast (no problem; I could have wished the apathy towards food to have lasted a little longer), my capactiy to walk about without feeling woozy and the fact that I only pushed the snooze control on my alarm clock a few more times than usual, I decided that I wasn’t sick enough to indulge myself. Sigh.
On a happier note, I have been watching more television than I used to, and happened upon an interesting little reality show ( I hope Johnny doesn’t read this one. He already gives me enough grief about watching American Idol, Survivor and The Apprentice) called THE NANNY. Nanny Deb was something else! She came into that home with 5 unmanageable children, 4 of whom were quadruplets. The kids hit their parents, and wouldn’t stay in their own rooms at night unless their TVs were turned on. Well, Nanny Deb got rid of the room TVs and set some rules. Before she could make any progress, however, she had to win over the parents to her way of thinking, as they felt she was attacking them on a personal level. But by the time she Mary Poppined her way out of the house at the end of the week, the whole family wept to see her go, and presented her with an engraved key to their home so she could come any time she pleased. Like she’s ever going back there! Actually, I’m not so sure I’d want her around too many days longer; I don’t want to sound critical, but Nanny Deb wore the same lime green shirt & scarf and dark jumper EVERY SINGLE DAY. And she was…um, how shall I say it?.........rather robust. All of that bustling and sweating and never changing her clothes must have produced an interesting ambience.
I have been taking a nostalgic look back at my own child rearing days. I think there were times when I could have definitely used Nanny Deb. Lots of things I did were NOT by the book. I’m not proud of this, but sometimes I got so tired of hearing “Mom, Mom, look at me, listen to this.” that I changed my name and wouldn’t respond until someone guessed it. But I didn’t make it too difficult. Usually some well-known character like Rumpelstilskin. Those of you who know me as the wise and contemplative UltraMom may be surprised to hear that I sometimes yelled at my kids. Went completely over the bend.
About a year ago, UltraDad and I were talking about someone else’s substandard child-rearing, and UDad started congratulating us on our job well done. I reminded him that we we were far from perfect, and that there were may things we could have done far better. He looked at me in surprise and asked ,”Which of our kids don’t you like?”
I, of course, replied that I had never been particualry fond of Jim, and we dissolved into laughter.
Actually, I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. As I get older, I have more trouble remembering the bad parts and tend to dwell on the good parts: Those little arms around my neck and the kissable cheeks. Reading the stories (over and over again) and making up funny voices for the characters. The picnics in the yard and the funny make-believe games. The simple childlike belief in God and prayer, which Jesus says is the model of how we each must come before him. The wonder of seeing a human being, that I had a part in creating, grow into something in some ways like me, but in most ways into something else totally unique and wonderful.
Some to think of it, maybe we did alright without Nanny Deb after all.

UltraMom