That Sweet Spot

As a parent, it never fails that when you have to use the restroom, there will follow, within 60 seconds of closing the door, a little voice calling to you. Muffled by lips pressed against the door jam, "Moooommmmyyyy!! I neeeedddd yooouuu!!!" rings out on the bathroom tile.  And you, who just wanted a few precious seconds of solitude, growl back
 "I.  AM.  BUSY!!!!"


You are frustrated, irritated and generally annoyed that your one moment, your single opportunity to have a moment of silence, was violated.


Or you could approach it with the mind of a child.

For example, the 4 year old goes in to use the potty. After a few moments the two year old, realizing she is now outside alone, comes inside to find out where he went. She quickly deduces his location. Opening the bathroom door, she swings it open wide. Still hanging on to the doorknob, she leaves her feet on the carpet, letting the door support her body as she dangles over the floor at an angle. With her free hand propped on her hip, she drawls out "Whatcha readin'?"

The 4 year old never misses a beat. "Thomas the Train. Wanna look at it with me?"

She happily hops in, climbs up on the top step of the stool on which he is propping his feet. There they sit, heads touching, as they pour over the adventures of Thomas.

No one is offended that their privacy is violated. She doesn't mind the aroma nor realize the fact that she is just sitting there while someone else answers the call of nature. He is glad for the company and is completely without embarrassment at the situation.

Now, I am not saying that I want another adult around when, well,  you know when. But it struck me, watching them, that we could approach life with that attitude. When someone cramps our style, or the situation is not exactly as we had planned, just go with it. Find the good and enjoy the other persons' company.

Sort of goes with the whole "when life gives you lemons...".