I Need More Kids

I sometimes laugh as I hear mothers discuss the trials of teaching their children to become independent and responsible.  Tales and threats of forcing a kid to walk to school after missing the bus, having to take a lower grade for forgotten homework, or letting junior go hungry when he forgets his lunch.  Are they truly motivated by the lofty ideal in parenting or are they merely annoyed at the inconvenience of childishness, taking the easy way out?

Whenever the call came saying my child forgot  his lunch, a book report, gym shorts, or whatever... or I received a text asking "can you bring 2 dozen cupcakes to my 6th hour class" or "please call the school and tell them I'm sick," "I have cramps, can you come get me?" as a good, in line for the mother-of-the-year award mom, I immediately dropped everything and ran to help my child. 

It didn't matter that the baby needed a nap, that a load of clothes would be forgotten in the washing machine until the next day, that the floor needed to be vacuumed, that I had errands to run, or that  we were out of milk and I needed to go grocery shopping.  It never mattered what the immediate need of the child was, it was always  way more important than whatever I was doing at that moment.  Was I annoyed at the inconvenience or agitated at the irresponsibility of their forgetfulness? 

Are you kidding me?  I delighted in every single interruption.  Hopping in the car and driving 20 minutes to school each way was way more fun than laundry.  Not only did the days scenery change, but I often had the chance to chat with another adult in the school office about "these forgetful kids."

I guess that makes me guilty for taking the easy way out.  I was selfish and rescued my kids by delivering their homework to them.  Other moms hated me.  They totally didn't get it.  They heard stories of how I would sometimes deliver a hot lunch to my kid, handing it off as they walked into the cafeteria-usually fast food from the local burger joint with fries to share.  Other moms didn't know that I purposely had not made lunches that morning so I had an excuse to grab a burger for myself. 

I had an excuse as to why I couldn't do lots of unpleasant tasks.  I didn't have time to make phone calls for the PTA, because I needed my phone free in case one of kids needed me.  I never had time to iron clothes, as I was barely able to keep up with the 3 loads of  laundry I washed each day.  When the call came, laundry could wait.  Ironing could always wait.

Gosh, I miss those days.