(Part of the Ebola Mom series)


Sometimes I feel like my mind is a beautiful, pristine, World-Cup-worthy soccer field with the potential to host a team of Pelés and Hamms, yet it keeps getting booked for local toddler scrimmages.

Teaching kid a new math skill…
Kid: “Can you show me one more time? I’m not ready to try.”
Me: “I showed you several times– at this point you will learn best by doing it yourself. Just give it a try!”
Kid: “But sometimes I get afraid to try.”
Me: “There is nothing to be afraid of. Trying is how you learn, and if it doesn’t go the way you want it to, that just gives you good information for how to try again. Learning and success is a process, kiddo!”
Kid: “So you mean if I get it wrong, just learn from it?”
Me: “Yes! You got it!”
Kid: “When you say it like that, it doesn’t sound so scary.”
Me: “Exactly. It really is THAT easy. Just try! I promise you, you have nothing to lose!”
(2 hours later)
Therapist: “So have you taken any steps to pursue a writing career?”
Me: “No. I’m too afraid to try.”

Two hours into a 24-hour babysitting stint with my nephew, and I’ve already run through all the emotions.

One minute later:

One hour later:

Therapist: “So, you and Eric are talking about starting a family soon?”
Me: “Well, I mean, yeah. Not right this moment, but soon. We’re married and we both want kids and I’m not getting any younger, so…”
Therapist: “Yes, you’ve said that. But what about right now makes you feel more ready than when we’ve talked about it in the past?”
Me (thinking): “Well….we came up with a hilarious way to announce it on Facebook.”
Therapist: ![]()
Me: “Oh, is that not a sign of readiness?”
Therapist: ![]()
Whatever, lady. Like anyone’s ready for this shit.
Did you know that if you accidentally shoot yourself in the eye with a waterpik on full blast, you will pop blood vessels?
What’s that? No? Because why would that ever happen to you? Because you’d never press the “on” button before putting the device in your mouth, particularly if it’s pointed at your eyeball? Because who points a waterpik at their eyeball? Because you pay attention to the things you do as you’re doing them? Because you’re generally able to complete daily life tasks without risking your life? Because even a monkey can use a waterpik without injury, and you’re smarter than a monkey?
Well HOW NICE FOR YOU.

One day, Eric will file for divorce, and he will put “She lost too many phone chargers” as the reason.

I already blew it.
