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March 29, 2007
The Pinnacle of Excellent Parenting
I'm down in my back today, and I have no idea how this happened. Perhaps the strenuous act of getting out of bed is what caused every muscle on my right ribcage to wedge between my rib bones. That's about the time the pain started - pain that's resistant to Alieve, but slightly responsive to Alieve and chardonnay. I took Clara Jane to daycare, hobbled around Target for a bit, and laid across the basket of my cart while the check-out clerk glared at me. I told her to get the fuck over it and get a stockperson to find me a truss.
Since Clara Jane was covered for the day, I came home, eased myself back into my pajamas, fired up the heating pad, and spent several hours lying on the couch, watching bad TV, knitting, and smelling the flesh on my back burn.
But soon, 2:30 arrived and I had to worm my way back into real clothes, get behind the wheel, and fetch the child. Then there was the time to fill before her father got home from work, in which I wanted to play with her. Really, I did. But I also did not wish to snap in two like a brittle old woman.
Pre-parenthood, I was one of those parents who swore my kid wouldn't watch TV. Ever. We were going to have a ceremony in which we burned our Tivo with the placenta in the woods. Okay, not really. That's the Alieve and chardonnay talking. But really, I was anti-TV.
That lasted about 11 months. I do limit how much she watches. Despite her demands, I'm not giving in to her desire for "Wonder Pets" 24/7. I already have that playing on loop in my brain; I don't need it playing on loop in my living room.
Here's some video I took last night, before I injured myself, of Clara Jane, watching the very age-appropriate Sesame Street.
Here's a photo I took of her tonight, while I was logging my 21st hour on the couch.
Whatever could fill my child with such obvious joy and glee? Why, watching over and over and over and over the same 15-second ad for A Night at the Roxbury on TBS 2384 times in a row, thanks to the magic of digital video recording techonology - watching it long enough to master the Will Ferrell/Chris Kattan head-bob. Watching it long enough that I was able to maintain my prone position on the couch for a good 20 minutes longer than I would have, had we not had access to "What is Love".
Good parenting. Sticking to my values. That's what it's all about.
Posted by Robin at March 29, 2007 09:15 PM
Comments
Hell I was the same - you know this - then at 6 months old Oscar developed his baby einstein addiction. Don't know what the hell I'd do without TV and I know for a fact that Oscar has learnt to count, learnt his shapes and his colours all thanks to the goggle box! Hoorah! And he's skinny, speaks like a 4 year old and hasn't got square eyes. So ya boo sucks.
Posted by: sally at March 30, 2007 03:38 AM
OH NO. I didn't know your back is out! That is horrible. I have some muscle relaxers I can bring over if you need them. Ohhhhh, that sucks bad!
But, I'm printing out that picture of Clara Jane and am framing it for my bathroom. I want to see that sweet face every single day. Those eyes, that sweet little face...just her. It's her.
Call me when you wake up, I'll bring over a heating pad or medicine or anything. I know just how you feel...
Posted by: pkb at March 30, 2007 07:29 AM
Sorry to hear about your back!! Here's hoping you're on the mend soon...
P.S. Clara Jane is the coolest - but you already knew that.
Posted by: Exena at March 30, 2007 07:56 AM
OMG I was not expecting THIS:
> "Why, watching over and over and over and over the same 15-second ad for A Night at the Roxbury on TBS"
I really needed a laugh this morning and that did the trick. :-)
Sorry to hear you're having back trouble; I was wondering why you hadn't posted in a while (it was what...3 days or something!??!) Hope it's better very soon.
Posted by: barbara at March 30, 2007 08:10 AM
How funny... Alex caught the intro to "A Night at the Roxbury" last night and jumped up to dance too!
Posted by: Julie at March 30, 2007 10:05 AM
I feel for ya. I've been to the chiro three times this week. It's amazing I can walk across the room at this point. Take it easy.
Posted by: Cassie at March 30, 2007 11:39 AM
I hope you feel better soon. I was also a "no tv" parent before I actually had children. It's amazing how those ideas can just go by the wayside when you desperately need to either be by yourself or be still. Amazingly though, my son, as an adult, does not watch tv at all. My daughter is another story though. I love that picture of Clara Jane.
Posted by: Katya at March 30, 2007 03:24 PM
Just one look at Clara Jane and you know how she is. She's got the most interesting, expressive face!
I hate that your back's out. Hope it's better soon.
Posted by: Dixie at March 30, 2007 05:02 PM
Ouch! I hear you on the pain part. I nearly stabbed the Target checker just for wishing me a good day. I'm sorry I haven't returned emails, comments, etc. My computer time has been low this week. I'll catch up soon. Feel better!
Posted by: Rachel at March 30, 2007 07:09 PM
