I am the writer/owner of ‘MA! motherhood with attitude.’ The artist/owner of our company, Tiffany, will add her two cents on this blog now and then, as well. Tiffany and I often talk about the struggle to earn a buck through our freelancing as we also try to make the ‘MA! dream’ come true. Our mission is to expose ‘perfect parenting propaganda’ for what it is: hogwash! We adore imperfect parents (and embrace the fact that we are among them.)Keep The Motor Running
I was recently vacuuming (I do it so often that it must be an illness) when I realized that I have developed a self-preservationist quirk. I leave the vacuum running even when I have to move furniture, let the dog out, pick up marbles. And I do this because it protects me from my children.
Long ago, when the girls were smaller, I realized that if I turned off the vacuum midway through my process, they tackled me. I never finished cleaning the floors because, when the vacuum motor died down, the girls came out of the woodwork like bedbugs crawling out of the covers. So, I learned to leave the vacuum running no matter what. Stop for a glass of water? Leave it running. Need to pee? Leave it running.
This has also translated into my hairdryer habits. I leave that sucker running constantly. As soon as I turn it off, I hear, “Are you done?!” Why oh why do they follow my every move so closely?
What do these habits say about me? Is it that I will do anything to achieve a moment of privacy, even if it entails vacuuming?
So maybe I don’t have a vacuuming illness. Maybe I have a vacuuming addiction because it provides me with a wee bit of alone time. OK, now THAT is sick…
Can you come over? I have a vacuum aversion… :)
Comment by Maida — May 26, 2009 @ 9:07 amI have nothing that chases my dear children away, unfortunately. If I vaccuum, they want to ‘help’. Heck, they ‘help’ me eat, ‘help’ make dinner, ‘help’ me drive, ‘help’ me go to the restroom…
Comment by Dani — June 15, 2009 @ 8:20 pmI know we’ll miss it when they don’t want anything to do with us…well, not really.