For example, there's Freddy's Playland----offering free childcare while you shop-err-do a espresso shot at the Peet's Coffee that's attached to the store....
(Confession: My friend and I did check our daughters into Freddy's while we had a kidless coffee date one Saturday afternoon...)
or there's ClubSport, the gym with exceptional childcare so mama can get her workout on-(or happy hour on-)...
or, if all else fails, the play gym, a magnificent gymnasium in the basement of a church offering toys and activities for tots of all ages-added bonus: a small cafe.
Now that Evie is at a preschool in town, I am starting to see the same half- smiling, yoga pants wearing, coffee cup clutching mamas dropping off their kids at preschool Monday morning who then make the Tualatin circuit of Fred Meyer, New Seasons, library story time, gymboree and ClubSport.
Most of the time we greet each other with a vague smile of recognition, usually wresting and negotiating with other small humans that prohibit us from communicating on any other intelligent level.
However, lately though some moms have been breaking past the obligatory eye grin and greeting me excitedly, suddenly realizing that I am: Evie's Mom.
I feel as if I'm becoming my daughter's social secretary.
Examples of these interactions.....
Random, half familiar mom at Costco, nearly plowing people over with her overly full cart of fruit snacks, parking next to my totally full cart of irritated children: "Oh hey, you are Evie's mom! My daughter Karlan just loves Evie. Can we set up a playdate? I'll find your address in the preschool directory and email you. Bye."
From another woman at the gym in her super trendy yoga pants while I'm sweating like a pig on the stair climber: "Oh hey, you're Evie's mom? My daughter Kim talks about Evie all the time and loves going to the gym because she gets to see her. Here, let me give you my phone number. Text me so we can set up a playdate. Thanks!"
(Sidenote: Super awkward a week later when I run into her again and haven't texted her...)
Over enthusiastic email in my 'in box' on a rainy Monday morning: "Hi! Just to let you know I sent your daughter Evie an invitation to my daughter's birthday party. We are new to the school and don't really know anyone but my daughter really wants Evie to come and talks about her all the time. "
Text message. 8pm. In my sweats eating a bowl of ice cream watching a "diet competition show": "Hi! What are you guys doing tomorrow after preschool? Want to come over for a playdate? My daughter keeps talking about how she wants to see Evie."
Seriously...not trying to brag or anything, but my daughter is becoming a social butterfly.
And I am getting a reputation of "Evie's Mom."
I knew she would thrive at preschool with the other kids, and I knew that she would have lots of little friends, but I didn't know I'd have to create a separate app just to try to squeeze in playdates and birthday parties for my 4 year old.
However, the problem with these polite inquiries into the social availability of my daughter is that many of these moms don't realize I have THREE two year olds at home to add to my juggling act.
Don't get me wrong, I try and really want to give Evie all the social opportunities as humanly possible...but I am one human with four little humans attached to me.
You want us all at your house?!! hehe
My friends and I were reminiscing about the days of long ago when we'd pass our mornings toting around our single child accessory, attending "playdates." Sipping vanilla lattes, we'd vent about our parenting struggles or boast about the latest trick our darling child has preformed.
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| One child each...three years later: 2, 3, 3, 4 each! |
Evie is getting to an age too when moms are talking about signing their kids up for sports, and gymnastics, and swimming, and music lessons, and this and that and playdate number 58....and ahhh!
What's a mother to do in a world with so many potential relationships and wonderful, enriching childhood experiences?!
How does one sift through and figure out who/what to invest time in, (AND balance three other toddlers?!)
Anyhow, I guess what I am slowly learning is an even bigger life lesson: You've got to say NO to some really good things to say YES to the great ones. I'm not saying some friends or relationships are better or more important, but there are so many wonderful opportunities, friendships, clubs, sports, experiences...and you just can't do them all...and do them WELL.
What I do know is I'm proud of Evie. Obviously she exhibits qualities of love, acceptance and genuine care to people and that is why a lot of people like to be around her.
She's also a whole lot of fun too.. ;) but she gets that from her daddy.
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