My Apprentice

"Mom, Mom... please don't disturb my work. I'll talk to you later."

OK, Babe. I won't disturb your work.

"Mom, Mom... do you want to know what work I'm doing?"

Yes, I'd love to know. What work are you doing?

"I'm doing my writing work. I'm working very, very hard to do very good writing work. Do you want to know why?"

I'd love to know why.

"So I can be a good writer just like you, Mama. And then... and then... if I work really hard and be a good writer like you, we can write things together. Right, Mama?"

We already do, Baby. We already do.

Pardon me while my heart bursts.

Sally Bacchetta - Freelance Writer
Freelance Writer
Parenting
Motherhood

How Many Times?

I frown, "How many times do I have to tell you not to jump on the bed?"
She grins, "Mama, jump with me!"

I give The Look, "How many times do I have to ask you to chew with your mouth closed?"
She licks her lips, "I can't make my mouth stay closed when the food is delicious."

I sigh, "How many times do I have to remind you not to drum on the table?"
She shrugs, "But Daddy says I'm "an Erin girl for rhythm"?

I yawn, "How many times are you going to go to the bathroom before you settle down in bed?"
She wraps her arms around my neck and says, "How many times can I kiss your face before the sun comes up tomorrow?"

She's my kryptonite.

Sally Bacchetta - Freelance Writer
Freelance Writer
Parenting
Motherhood

I've Got Three Words For You

"My ear hurts."

Three little words with the power to unhinge my entire day. Forget the article I need to write and the conference call I scheduled and the birthday cake I should have baked last night. Yeah, we're looking at a keep you home from school - travel to the pediatrician - confirm an ear infection - wait at the pharmacy - pray for a nap that probably won't happen kind of a day. Beautiful.

It got me thinking about other three-word phrases, like "Is this yours?" Great when it's a stranger holding up a $20 bill; not so great when it's your boss holding up your offer letter from another company.

"Just forget it" brings a rush of relief when offered by a friend after a misunderstanding, yet the same three words are like a dare when flung over the shoulder of a spouse storming out during an argument.

I guess a lot of three-word phrases are situation-dependent, like "I swallowed it" from my preschooler. Button - bad. Migraine pill - worse. Mouthful of brussel sprouts - all right.

"Are you done?", "Who is it?" and "Just a minute!" can all signal happy, groovy things or portend grave interpersonal cataclysm.

"I love you." "Hug me tighter." "Hold me, Mama." "I missed you." Those are always music to my ears!

Sally Bacchetta - Freelance Writer
Freelance Writer
Parenting
Motherhood

The Age of Reason

"Mama, how did God grow me in Meghan's tummy?"

When God was ready to make you he planted a teeny, tiny seed in Meghan's tummy, and you grew and grew and grew until you were ready to come out and be our daughter.

"Mama, how did God put the seed there?"

Well, God had help from Meghan and your birth father.

"Mama, how did God put the seed in Meghan's tummy? How?"

Hmm... God brought them together and they made the seed that would grow to be you.

"But Mama, how did the seed get in there? With a shovel?"

No, not with a shovel, Sweetheart. When grownups love each other very much God teaches them a special way. We can talk more about that when you're older.

"When I'm four, Mama?"

Maybe when you're four.

"Mama, does God eat cranberries?"

I don't know.

"It's OK, Mama. You have precious eyes."

Would you do me a favor and stay this age forever?

"No, Mama, I can't. Sorry, Charlie."

(yeah, me too.)


Sally Bacchetta - Freelance Writer
Freelance Writer
Parenting
Motherhood