When you become a parent, you realize that things were not exactly as you had pictured them. You have this idealized image of things you will do with your kids, and it’s this amazing thing and you’re well-rested and happy and fulfilled. But then you’re in the trenches, and you realize it’s not quite what you imagined it would be.
I hadn’t realized that it would be so much work. It’s a whole lot of make a meal, serve a meal, clean up a meal, fold laundry, clean toys, make a meal, serve a meal…you get the picture. And the poop? Good grief, I had no idea I would come in contact with SO MUCH POOP.
Anyway, this morning I was hiding in the bedroom paying the bills while Tom watched the kids in the living room. All of a sudden I started hearing music that was definitely not in the kid’s genre. And screams of delight. And loud thumps and bangs. After a while I got so curious that I wandered out to find Joan Jett blaring out of the record player and Tom and the kids having a rock-n-roll dance party complete with vinyl, guitars, and explosive jumps off the mini trampoline.
I think Tom was on the verge of tears. When he imagined what it would be like to have kids, this is EXACTLY what he had pictured, right down to the little guitar hanging around Shep’s neck.
So maybe it is possible that parenting is kinda what we thought it would be. Except that part about being well rested. I’m not sure that’s ever going to happen.