Life Lessons

Toddlers are great teachers. They are persistent, inquisitive, challenging, and they will never never never give up until you've learned your lesson. Lately, Jack has been teaching me the timeless wisdom that in order to survive motherhood intact, you have to think poop is funny. Because, let's be honest, shit happens. Lots of it. Sometimes, in really inopportune places. A few days ago Jack helped himself to his potty chair, did his business, then ran to my room and rolled around my white down comforter bare-bottomed. Well, not exactly bare; there was a dingle berry or two along for the ride. Today while I was making dinner I overheard Jack singing a song about the crusties on the fireplace. I peeked around the corner to make sure he wasn't spreading ashes everywhere, and found to my surprise that he was happily wiping down the outside of the fireplace, doors neatly closed and no ashes in sight. I went back to rubbing herbs all over my chicken, feeling very pleased that Jack was occupied while I was working. Not two seconds after I got the chicken in the oven and my hands washed, I found out why he was so happily employed. Jack trots into the kitchen, hands dripping, and cheerfully informs me: "I got my shirt wet in the toilet and this diaper wipe too!" "Jack, have you been washing the fireplace with toilet water?" "Um, yeah, and I got my shirt wet so I need to take it off." For a moment I was speechless, but quickly realized swift action was what was called for so I ran a bath for Jack then sprayed and scrubbed and scrubbed and sprayed like the Lysol addict I am. So whether you're a new mom or you've been at it for years and still don't find bathroom humor amusing, loosen up. Poop is funny.