Thank heaven for family
October 9, 2008
Nope, not the sappy post you expected, but rather a confession. In the spirit of my friend Kia’s Reasons Why I Might Be the Worst Mother (see here), I had to finally share something. It’s not that I have struggled with finding reasons why I might be the world’s worst mother, but I simply can’t bring myself to admit them here.
Except for this one: Sometimes, when C is particularly wound up, and my headache is particularly bad, and I’m afraid I might just pull my hair out while simultaneously jumping in the car and driving to, well, just about anywhere but here, I get a bright idea. “C! Come here!” I’ll say. “Why don’t you call Uncle T and Aunt J?” His face lights up like a Christmas tree and he responds with an enthusiastic “YEAH,” complete with a fist pump.
Then, usually, if they decide to answer the phone (blast that they finally got caller ID!), I find myself with a few moments of time. It’s true, the telephone becomes the babysitter. I suspect T&J know I do this, and I suspect they also don’t mind too much. They know that talking to them on the phone is one of C’s favorite activities in the world, and I’m pretty sure they enjoy the conversations as well.
But now my secret is out. It’s true, I pawn off my kid on unsuspecting (well, not anymore) relatives just for a break.
Entry Filed under: autism. Tags: autism, high functioning autism, mommy needs a break, special needs, talking on the phone, worst mother.
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1.
T$ | October 10, 2008 at 5:49 am
we knew and we enjoy it almost as much as he does
Yes, because where else could you get your quota of snorting in???
2.
pixiemama | October 10, 2008 at 6:03 am
You don’t really think this makes you a bad mom, do you? To borrow Kia’s infamous word, I think it’s “fecking” brilliant. Instead of screaming your head off or driving your car off a cliff, you’re taking a break. And you’re letting your family help you. If this is the worst you’ve got, my friend…
xo
No, not a bad mom, perhaps a bad sister and sister-in-law! LOL! But not to worry, it wasn’t the worst I could come up with, just the only one I could print!
3.
Jesch | October 10, 2008 at 6:16 am
we accept this role willingly and wish there was more we could do
Boy, we blew it last night though! Phone tag all night! LOL!
4.
goodmum | October 10, 2008 at 6:46 am
OHmigosh! This is awesome. Now if only Little Man would come to LIKE the phone. He hates it. That’s why I use the t.v. and the ‘puter as my babysitters.
I’ll post a link to this on my blog.
Yes, the computer and TV are definite back-ups, but the phone is best – mostly because I can actually hear him and know that he is not in trouble. I admit to worrying about him surfing Thomas porn on the computer.
C’s love of talking to T&J came about not too long ago when they started making snorting animal sounds at each other. C would call, they would pick up, and instead of saying “hello,” he would just snort. And they would snort back. It blossomed from there!
5. Doooods! I’m back! « Good Enough Mama | October 10, 2008 at 6:47 am
[...] of What We Need, has done a post about what makes her a Bad [...]
6.
laura phelps | October 10, 2008 at 8:48 am
can I have their number????????????????
HAHAHAH! That totally made me laugh.
7.
robinaltman | October 10, 2008 at 2:45 pm
That’s hilarious, and it doesn’t sound like Uncle T or Aunt J mind at all. No bad mother points will be given. (If you get Kia’s car, I’m going to be pissed.)
8.
Kathie | October 10, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I love it! When I’ve had enough, I have our guy go outside. I have been known to run back in and lock the door. LOL (if his sibs are out with him, that is!) We also use music as a babysitter. I think what you do makes you a BRILLIANT mom! We are officially on fall break. I wonder how many times I’ll lock my kids outside. HA!!!
Ah, fall break! FUN! And it sounds like the weather will be such that you can definitely lock them outside a lot next week!
9.
mama mara | October 10, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Reframe this: You’re not pawning off your kid. You’re providing a positive transition experience. How wonderfully creative and selfless you are!
10.
Casdok | October 13, 2008 at 9:17 am
Sounds like a great way to save your sanity!!