Mommy's Moment: For Sanity's Sake

Music blaring. A swerve here and there. A few honks of the horn. Conversation that has quickly elevated to an enthusiastic yell. Perhaps a Chinese fire drill.

Or maybe not.

What seems like antics of a new driver taking a joy ride with her friends is actually a 30 year old mother driving her three exhausted kids home from a playdate right during "that time." You know, "your time." Also known as, naptime, that precious break that reels back in your sanity just before it has altogether disappeared. To lose that time to the car power nap means you may just lose your sanity. So, what's a mom to do? Protect it. Protect it using every resource available.

Candy is always the first option. At least in my book. Suckers work great. But not always. If you've got a chomper, then that sucker is gone before you've hit the first red light. So, you've got to have a back up plan. Next up, the "talk really enthusiastically as if you're about to drive up to the gates of Disney World" plan. This works sometimes. Those dosing eyes suddenly JOLT open. It's like a dose of adrenline surging through their tired bodies. You know, like it's Christmas morn. However, if the ride is long, they soon grow weary of this voice as they realize there is actually nothing special about to happen.

Don't give up.

Take three.

Do the unexpected.

Honk the horn. Yes, kids love to hear the horn honk (just be careful where you're honking the horn). Or perhaps roll the window down. A fresh gulp of air may brighten those tired eyes.

Lastly, and most importantly, be aware that this requires perserverance from the mom. You will grow weary of these antics. You will want to give up. You will want to let the child sleep. But don't. Press on.

Why?

Your sanity is on the line.