I have a confession. Sometimes, when my seven year old is going into deep, deep, detail about the Broadway show she is currently writing/directing/starring in or the argument her dolls had with each other, my mind wanders. It’s not that I don’t appreciate her creativity. I’m just a daydreamer. Really.
Then the other day, my throat was throbbing, I could barely keep my eyes open, and every sound was three decibels louder than it needed to be. Or so it seemed. My chance of focusing on anything at all was slim to nothing.
It was at the height of this malady that my girl wanted to explain the very complicated ordering process for her play dough bakery. Poor kid didn’t stand a chance. It was all I could do not to do a face plant in the pink and purple wedding cake she had lovingly prepared for me.
My eyes shifted to her open Latin book on the table, waiting for me to get around to doing it. The play dough had been a go play!distraction designed to give me a few minutes of peace, but alas, she wanted me to be her customer. Latin would wait. So would math. But would I make it?
I did lots of nodding and smiling, but soon my mind was a-wanderin’. I started daydreaming about crawling into bed and pulling the covers over my head. Wouldn’t it be great if my husband was home and could do Latin with Soleil? I thought to myself.
You know what would be really awesome? If I hadn’t started school late this year and could just take a couple of days off. No, it would be better if Eric was home and could just do all the lessons with the girls, that way there was no time missed. No, no, even better would be a sub. (Gosh, I’m so competitive when I talk to myself.)
Yes! A sub! Not the kind that sits at the desk reading the paper. The kind of sub kids love. A happy, healthy, energetic young lady who not only delights in teaching, but just happens to enjoy house cleaning.
“Mom!” Soleil snapped me out of my daydream.
“Um, this one.” I pointed to one of the cookies for sale and Soleil’s face fell.
“Mom! I just said, these aren’t for sale!” She sighed and began to explain her game again.
I smiled at how patient and cute she was being. Then something else occurred to me. My kids probably wouldn’t mind a sub once in a while, either. Like today for instance when Mommy is just hanging on.
And don’t all kids need the experience of walking into their class for the day and seeing a fresh, new, gullible face?
Shouldn’t every kid get at least one attempt to switch names with their best friend for the day?
They are really missing out!
“Mom!” Soleil was looking a little irritated now and I lamely told her that I was having a hard time concentrating because I was sick. She gave up and pushed a cake in front of me and grabbed the fake money out of my hand.
Yep. This kid definitely deserves a sub.
I nominate my husband.
Anyone second that?
Angela is very happy to be home with her children and is extremely thankful that her husband goes to work every day to provide for her to stay home. She almost always listens to her kids and never, ever skips math. Really. You can read about how much she loves her life at Homegrown Mom.
No related posts.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m sure my daughter would LOVE to have a sub. Someone who has no idea how much time she likes to waste, and decides to do all the fun stuff before the hard stuff. And who lets her get away with everything.
I hope you’re feeling better soon!
Is there a homeschool coop in your area? My MOMS Club started one and it’s set up based on age/grade. One week a month, we all rotate our kids. The kids love it because they get a different perspective and the moms love it because it’s different kids. I love it because each of us moms have a different strength and it definitely makes a difference when the kids come back after their week rotation.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..Menu Monday – 2-7
Hilarious! Sounds like you need a teacher in-service day (AKA, Mom needs a day off)!
Sarah at SmallWorld´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday- Flashback
As you know, it made me feel better to read this. I have the same things happen here. A couple of my kids just talk so darn much sometimes. I get into that “Yeah”…”Uh huh”…”Right”…”So, what did Pikachu do then?”…”Oh, I’m so sorry! I must have missed that you stopped talking Pokemon and now it’s about How to Train Your Dragon. My apologies!”
So glad I’m not the only one whose mind wanders!
Angela @ Homegrown Mom´s last [type] ..Future Homeschool Teachers Homeschooling Girls Day 4
I’ve been lobbying for a sub here for the past two months. Winter’s been rough with all the sick and . . . well, 7 yr olds and their imaginary worlds can be exhausting. Fun, but exhausting. I finally got around to making a set of emergency folders (like the sub packets I made as a classroom teacher) for days when I don’t want to take off, but I need them busy. I even showed dad where I keep them. But then I realized I’d need a lunch lady to go with my sub. ;-)
Michelle´s last [type] ..Head-Heart-Hands
Lol! A lunch lady would be awesome, too!
Angela @ Homegrown Mom´s last [type] ..Future Homeschool Teachers Homeschooling Girls Day 4
Oh man! Can I get a lunch lady too?
I actually have a friend who does hire a sub about once a month. She gets a babysitter for the afternoon or morning. The girl comes over with a bag full of crafts and storybooks and just does art projects and reads stories with the children for hours. The kids love it, and she can go back to bed, read, or run errands for a few hours. When she hired the girl, she told her exactly what it was she was hiring for and gave her a list of books that were on her would-love-to-read-but-won’t-get-to-this-year list. The girls grabs one or two from the library and heads over.
That’s a fabulous idea, Melissa! I should totally look into that. Just once a month wouldn’t be too expensive.
First, I hope you’re feeling better. Second, LOL. I enjoyed reading your post. Yup, I think we’ve all had days where we needed an in-service day or a weather cancellation day or a sub!
Jessy´s last [type] ..Stylish Blogger Award
LOL, this is my house every day! My 6 year old is always setting up or planning something!
A sub would be nice!
Jenny´s last [type] ..Book Review- The Case of the Missing Mountain
I can totally relate. My 9 year old does the same thing. Sometimes I find myself nodding in agreement and then catch myself agreeing to something but not sure exactly what I just agreed to.
A sub would be AWESOME.
Cara´s last [type] ..Valenting Sensory Tub
Oh man, I’ve been there, too! “But you said yes!”
Angela @ Homegrown Mom´s last [type] ..Future Homeschool Teachers Homeschooling Girls Day 4
{ 1 trackback }