I know it’s cheating to use a someecard as a Silent Sunday picture, but given that my brain is currently boggling trying to grasp the whole back-to-work, back-to-school merry-go-round, this one rings true. So, tell me, at what age do children start managing their own schedules, PE kit/swimming bags, lunch boxes, labelled piece of fruit every day? I’ve a feeling it’s still years away!
“Mummy, when you went to the hospital to be chopped up, did they have a party?”
It was a question I wasn’t expecting to hear from my youngest son. I knew what he was referring to – my surgery last week, but good Lord, what on earth did he think had happened? Some kind of ultimate mummy sacrifice?
On the day, they didn’t even know where I was going. I think they just thought I was at work a long time.
But, of course, when I got home, we had to explain why they couldn’t jump on me; why I had a ‘big ouch’ that hurt and why I couldn’t carry LB or even do bear hugs.
“A party?” I responded. “Erm, no, it wasn’t a party LB.”
“Oh.” [looks disappointed]. “But wasn’t there a wabbit? A white one?”
For my next trick, mum will pull a rabbit out of a hat
“There was no rabbit, just the doctors, and nurses – rabbits aren’t allowed. Sorry darling.”
“But they chopped you in half, didn’t they?” [makes sawing motion].
And the penny dropped: he thought I was the (glamorous? ha!) female assistant in a magic show, the lady who gets put in a box and apparently sawn in half.
The one who might just look like she’s playing a supporting role to the magician, but is, in fact, making the mechanics of the illusion work.
And, actually, come to think of it, that IS exactly how I feel in my role as mother much of the time. Thanks LB, you hit the nail on the head!