Jobs
Apparently, I’m not the only one thinking about working and jobs, lately. More on this, soon.
Nathan had a conversation with my sister, Diane, today while I was out with Justin at an OT/PT session. This is the conversation that transpired between them as retold to me by my sister:
N: My mommy washes my clothes everyday.
D: Everyday?
N: Yeah, that’s her job.
D: (in a doubtful tone) Her job?
N: (Nathan picked up on the tone of voice and figured his answer was wrong). No, I mean, Mommy’s job is to take care of Justin.
D: What about you? Mommy takes care of you, too.
N: No. My job is to play.
D: What’s Papa’s job?
N: Papa’s job is to go to work every day (with emphasis on “every”)
D: What’s PeeWee’s job?
N: His job is to go to therapy.
I admit, I had to chew on this a bit.
At first glance, this story that was meant to be funny may actually seem sort of tragic. First of all, Nathan’s responses showed how he obviously picks up on how I am much more attentive toward the second born than him. Second, with Justin going to therapy so often, he actually thinks that that is what Justin’s life is all about. Third, I probably don’t involve him in the house work enough that he thinks it’s all my responsibility!
When I put this conversation into context, I realize what my boy was trying to say. This morning, I was working on folding two loads of laundry. In the meantime, Nathan was attempting to play a solo game of cars. Justin wanted in, but Nathan said no. So Justin, climbed all over his brother, and fighting ensued. In between folding shirts, I was pulling the brothers apart from wrestling. I asked Nathan to help me put away the laundry so that we could finish quicker. I had told him that when we’re finished with the laundry I will be able to watch Justin so that he can play in peace. He didn’t agree, banned Justin from all his cars, and more tackling ensued.
I pulled them apart at one point when Nathan was ontop of Justin (ontop of his pacemaker in his abdomen), and separated them, with Justin in our bedroom with me, and Nathan outside in the hallway. I was upset, and Nathan knew. I had made specific rules about not kicking, punching, or hurting Justin in the abdomen area; he didn’t listen. Nathan started to cry for Papa to play with him. I don’t know what came over him, but 5 minutes later, when I had already finished putting away the laundry minus a few socks and towels, Nathan told me he wanted to help. ARgh!
I think his real job is to drive his mother craaazy! Well, at least once a day. Luckily for us, once we got that morning episode out of the way, we had a lovely day learning about bullfrogs, barking tree frogs, and the red eyed tree frogs. We colored, snacked, ate lunch, had my younger sister, Diane over, and went swimming.
Giving myself a moment to reflect about Nathan’s conversation with Diane allows me to understand my child better, and that, dear Nathan, is also my job.