timelymatters

A Good Turn

April 7th, 2008

Moschel tells me that when she describes On-Task On-Time for Kids to another Mom, the first reaction is, “Oh, this is great.” The second response is often, “Do you have one for husbands?” Believe me, I get it. My wife usually does all the blogging, but this blog is in support of husbands and dads everywhere.

My memory says that I’ve done my fair share of raising our kids. My wife will say that I was always working. I want to share an experience with you that is still very clear in my mind. When our triplets were about 3 years old, my wife had a particularly rough week. I offered to take the kids out for the entire day, so she could relax. I packed a big picnic lunch in a large ice chest, and the four of us went off to the local park.

At this park, there is a play area about 300 yards from the parking lot. The kids followed me as I carried the ice chest to the play area. We had a great time playing and eating lunch, and then I packed everything up to leave. I gathered everyone together and said it was time to go home. This part I remember very clearly….the three of them looked at each other, smiled slyly, and took off in three different directions. I laughed and called them back, but no luck. I called and pleaded and shouted angrily, but nothing worked. Even the old standby, “Okay, I’m leaving without you!” was unsuccessful.

I weighed my options. I couldn’t take the kids one-by-one to the car (remember 300 yards?), or even carry all 3 to the car and come back for the ice chest. I couldn’t take the ice chest to the car and come back for the kids, without leaving them alone too long. This was like that puzzle of how do you get the fox, the hen, and the grain across the river in a boat large enough for only two occupants?

I carried the ice chest ten yards toward the car. Then I went back and caught each child, one by one, and carried all three together ten yards past the ice chest. As soon as I put them down, they scattered. Then I went back for the ice chest and carried it ten yards past the kids. Again, I chased down each child, and carried all three ten yards past the ice chest. I put them down and they ran off again. It probably took me an hour to get everyone back to the car.

At the time, I was exhausted and I’m sure I was very angry with the kids. Now, however, when I look back on that day, it is one of my fondest memories. It’s interesting how doing a good turn, became a difficult experience, and evolved into a wonderful story.

Entry Filed under: Daily Routines for Kids