Survival Guide

A couple of weeks ago, we spent the weekend keeping four kids so their parents could go on a well-deserved tenth anniversary trip.  What a lesson in multi-tasking/zone defense parenting!  Our posse of 5 for the weekend were ages 9, 8, 6, 2, and 18 mo (ours being the youngest).  We legitimately had a good time, but if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, here are some tips … 

1) Always put shoes on the toddlers.  This way, you can hear them pattering around wherever they are.  It happened that these two toddlers are pretty fond of each other and could usually be found together … getting into some kind of mischief!

(Why is dirt always the most fun thing on the playground?)

2) Ask the parents before they leave what kind of pizza their kids like.  Sometimes kids don't know what their favorites are called in "pizza restaurant language."  They will promise you they like something, then be disappointed when it comes because its not what they normally get.  (These sweet kids ate it anyway though!)

3) Take pictures for the parents - it makes them feel better that not only are their children not at the ER or burning the house down, they're having a bit of fun as well.  

4) Write down the outlandish quotes you hear from the backseat.  My favorite from the weekend: (during a discussion of the pros and cons of being the President - of which the weightiest "pro" seemed to be not having to eat things you didn't like) "But if people don't like you, you might get dissassinated, which is a fancy way of saying being shot with a gun."  (I felt no need to correct the pronunciation or definition in this case :)

5) For your survival's sake, keep in mind that you are there simply to keep everyone alive - not for longterm character development.  (This is code for "movie and lollipops for everyone!")

And poor Benjamin, since he is generally used to being the only kid around instead of one of the pack, did extremely well considering.  But Sunday afternoon was about his limit…

Anyway, much fun was had by all, and we didn't have to call 911 even once!  Success!  :)