Locked Out for a Little Perspective

I thought I was having a pretty hard morning. Jason was looking after both of the kids while I was getting ready, but instead of getting them dressed, brushing their teeth, making the beds, etc., he had put on a full-length movie and was watching it with Ben. (Plus, he has a beard!)

So a few minutes before we had to leave for preschool, I was still trying to get everyone ready (except Jason, of course, who had conveniently left for work by this time). Then when we were finally about to rush out the door for the 3-minute drive around the block, Janae decided to throw a fit because she wanted to wear a backpack like Ben. I tried giving Janae her purse (which was by the door), but she was screaming and flipping and flopping, so I picked up my daughter, the diaper bag, and the purse, locked the door and closed it behind us.

I guess I just needed some fresh air and exercise; I just didn't know it yet.

As soon as I closed the door I realized, of course, that I didn't have my keys. The house was locked, the car was locked, both strollers were locked away, and Ben had five minutes to get to school.

At this point I had to decide quickly: walk to school or stay home and try to get back into the house. Well, Ben had his backpack on and he was ready to go, so I grabbed his hand and we started the half walk/half run that I am famous for.

On sunny days I'd been walking with Janae to pick Ben up from preschool, so I know it's usually a 10-minute walk with the stroller, but somehow we made it there on time--with me carrying Janae and pulling Ben by the arm. We did take a short-cut through the high school playing field, so I'm sure that helped.

Anyway, on the way home, as Janae and I walked at a much more relaxed pace, I had lots of time to reflect on what had happened.

 

First of all, I have an easy life and should be grateful for it. Jason looks after the kids while I get ready for the day. Ben's school is only a few minutes away from home. I have a car, two strollers, a warm jacket, comfortable shoes, a healthy heart, and lots of energy for walking.

Next, today is a beautiful, sunny, fall day! If it had been raining, snowing, windy, or freezing cold, I would have been in a much more difficult situation.

 

I also have two healthy and happy kids. While we walked, Janae and Ben talked and sang songs. I felt really lucky that Janae was able to walk on the way home--if she had been 6 months old instead of 19 months, I wouldn't have been able to do what I did. Also, having her walk beside me--as opposed to riding in a car seat or stroller where she is closer to eye level--reminded me of how little she really is. She didn't understand why we couldn't go upstairs to get her backpack this morning; I shouldn't have been so frustrated with her.

I realized, too, that Ben is in PRESCHOOL; even if we'd been late, or if he'd had to miss the class, it would not have been the end of the world. His schoolwork has not yet become so advanced that I couldn't "catch him up" at home--I would actually feel pretty confident teaching the letter "B"!

 

I also learned to be a little less paranoid about walking near the high school. I usually think of high school students as juvenile delinquents and avoid walking too close to where they might be cutting class, swearing, smoking, vandalizing, dealing drugs or engaging in some other illegal or contemptible activity (I used to teach them once they got to college, so I know!). But the kids we passed actually seemed pretty okay.

 

And, finally, I have a good husband (with a cell phone) who came home to unlock the door for me. When I called him from the preschool he didn't say, "Why did you lock yourself out? That was stupid! You've ruined my whole day now!" He said, "I'll be right there." And he was already here by the time Janae and I got home! He may have a beard, but--like the high school students--he is not that bad.

We're definitely going to start walking to school more often!