I have been involved in theater at different times in my life, and one thing that you quickly realize is that one of the people that has tremendous influence on whether the play is a success is the stage manager. They make sure that the actors are in the right places, the props are on stage at the right times, and after the show is over, they “reset the stage”, making sure that everything is ready for the next performance.
So, the other day, after I put the kids down for a nap, and I started my “pick up the toys” ritual that happens at least three times a day, I decided that I could add “stage manager” to my list of Mom skills. I “reset the stage” for my kiddos, creating a fresh set for them to improvise new playtime activities. You know, like picking up the morning’s picnic blanket and lavish spread so that they can set up a grocery store in the afternoon or like putting away the dot-to-dot books so that we can tackle hand puppets later on.
I also try really hard to keep all the parts of toys together, often, I admit, to no avail. I read an article in a Parenting magazine that talked about how we need to accept that “the toy is already broken” or the “piece is already lost” – some sort of Buddhist mentality or whatever.
I can’t do it. Sorry Buddha. I won’t get mad when it happens, but I can still try to stop the tide of disappearing trinkets, okay?
How much fun is it to play with a doctor kit that has just the thermometer inside? Or to take out a puzzle and half the pieces are missing? I know that I wouldn’t like it personally, so I try to keep up with it, and every once in a while do an overhaul to put everything back where it belongs. I’m about due for that task right now.
I could probably drag out the analogy even further, talking about how I try to make sure my kids are on schedule – napping and eating and playing at the appropriate times – but I think Parker is awake.
Intermission is over…time for Act 2.
