Sometimes They Are Good

Here’s how parenting goes:  there’s always a fire somewhere.  Either it’s coals under tinder, ready to explode, or you’re throwing handfuls of water on a Viking pyre.  Either way you feel you can never completely relax.  And here’s the other thing:  bad times really only take a small fraction of the whole but consume a majority of your energy.  Often it feels like it’s Fight Club before dinner, the Dayton Accords to get pajamas on, and supplying the bedtime books, hugs, drinks of water, extra tuck-ins, and extra EXTRA tuck-ins is like haggling with a Damascene street merchant.  But then there are times like this, a tiny detour in the errands, some rideable machines I didn’t have coins for, and wouldn’t have paid for anyway.  Really, you can’t want for a better time, a time that reminds you that your kids are good, life is good, and just take a break from firefighting for a second and ride on a fiberglass horse.

First, CH is dubious of Number Two’s driving:

But when it comes to pony time, say “neigh” to sibling fights!

Hold on, I’ve seen this horse before.  Years ago it got the very same response from Child Harbat, back when she was still Toddler Harbat.  She has less teeth now, but the smile is just as big.

About Peter Soutowood

Writer, architect, father, husband.