Mama PlaygroundA Blog for Moms

Something about birthday parties and other “family friendly” events provides us mamas with a sort of innate feeling of comfort. Am I wrong? They crawl and walk and waaah all over each other, parents partially finish conversations while chasing young n’s, dads have a beer or two, food is passed about, kids pee. It turns out in this enormous hive of bees, it is all ok. Thier kid makes that noise too, they too have right-of-passage exhaustion looks occasionally. That kid picks his nose, this one eats bark, whatever. Your kid is great, but just another kid. You are a great and all, but just another parent. It is comforting. You are not alone. And having the skilled hands of another parent there to swoop in and grab the penny from a stray toddler’s grasp, or offer up a clean spoon when you don’t have one handy for your child – it is just so nice.

I wonder if older societies always felt that. Modern Americans have to take it all on alone. Stay at home moms don’t have the support that they would in a small village setting where having morning sickness might buy you a few helping hands from caring community members. I was glad to give up a spare cracker to the young boy (whose name I still can not remember) that came trustingly right up to me at this most recent backyard barbecue. “Sure, I have a cracker kid. And I think I heard your mom ask your daddy to watch you while she used the restroom. Don’t know where he is, but I can help!” It is like this comforting net of comrades who are experiencing the same love, sleep deprivation, fear, joy, and learning. The least I can do for this karmic moment is hand your kid a cracker. Please don’t let mine fall and hit her head if I should so happen to ever turn my back for one moment to long. Thanks.