More Babies = More Rules

The new kid has brought more rules with him. Every day it seems I hear Sam run down the list with Jen or Josh:

1. No crashing.

2. No grabbing.

3. No bonking with my head.

4. No pushing.

5. No hitting.

6. No saying poopy-head.

7. No licking clothes.

That #7 seems especially harsh. I mean, I admit to sometimes probing with my tongue - the mouth is very sensitive and you just need to taste the difference between 400 and 200 count sheets. My paws have dulled over the years, but my palette - sharp as a tack.

And we all know that there are a lot of unspoken rules too. Jen just doesn't like a lot of things, so we could add

8. No using the tin whistle as a horse; the tin whistle is only for music.

9. No making throw up noises, especially if we see your tongue exit your mouth.

10. Only give Rufus half a scoop of dry food - miserly!

11. Hand Mommy what you want help with; don't throw it.

12. Don't drop the used tissue behind the TV stand.

Children seem to breed negativity. What do parents say yes to? That is the litmus test of the mentoring relationship that is parenthood. While that is being worked out, we are free in our minds to do all the clothes licking, vomit sounds, and tissue-dropping we want. Jen's eyes can't be everywhere at once.