Not My Child

Bed-headed Nick realizing flip-flops are not a good footwear choice around manure.

You know those things you hear about other people's children doing that make you think a.) Didn't their parents teach them anything?, b.) MY kids will never do something like that, and c.) Where were their parents?Well, if we weren't before, we are now officially 'those parents'.

I was out shopping for maternity clothes (both a mother's day gift and a nightmare) and Tyler had Nick. They were at Tyler's mom's house - which is right next to ours - and she was leading Tyler through his latest to-do list in the making. Nick was bored and asked to go home, so Tyler told him 'yes' and that he would be right there. When he did get home a few minutes later Nick wasn't there. Tyler went back to his mom's to see if Nick had changed his mind and just gone inside her house. No Nick. Back to the house. He searched inside, outside (upside down) to no avail. No Nick. Finally he decided to walk up the street a bit to check Nick's new favorite friend's house.

Nick's scooter was on their front porch. Before Tyler could even knock on the door our neighbor opened it with a huge grin on her face, saying something about Nick. "Oh, so he is here," Tyler responded. She proceeded to tell him that she just got home. When she walked past the front door she noticed a little pair of shoes sitting neatly inside, then she came across Nick, ALSO INSIDE. "Oh, there you are," he says, "Can Michael play?" So, he was there playing when Tyler got there. Eating fruit roll-ups, taking a 'nap' on the couch. (Yes, he asked for blanket and curled up for a minute or two.) These are all things he does when he goes to grandma's to 'play'. I'm surprised he didn't ask our neighbor to turn a movie on for him. Maybe he thinks the same rules that apply at her house apply everywhere.

Seriously, how embarrassing. Have I ever thought to teach him 'never just let yourself into someone else's house'? No. Didn't really think it was necessary. Don't they come with some common sense? Apparently, this one didn't. Silver lining? I have to give him credit for politely removing his shoes at the front door. That was thoughtful.