Monday, June 20, 2011

A Bagel Family - My 100th Post!!!

My favorite bagel spot was packed last weekend.  Packed with mommies and daddies and kiddies.  And everyone was referring to each other in noun form.  The following was spoken by either a Mommy or Daddy.


"Hi Daddy, I got you a cinnamon raisin bagel."

"Thanks Mommy."

"Mommy wants Daddy to wait outside with the kids."

"Kids, Mommy said listen to Daddy."

"Daddy is asking the Kids to please go outside now."

"Coffee is for Mommy and Daddy.  Juice is for Kids."



My bagel shop had turned into a weird grammar club.  I was torn between irritation and jealousy.  I was irritated in the same way that I am irritated when people say "we're pregnant."  I was jealous because these Mommies were all so damn bubbly and coordinated, meanwhile I was grumpy and disheveled.  So, I half kidding asked my husband to call me Wifey and he fully not kidding refused.


Bagelicious


Does one gain a child and lose her name?  I can understand using "mommy" and "daddy" when talking to your children about your spouse, but do I have to start calling my husband "daddy" in all contexts from childbirth forward?  The whole "kids" thing especially confused me.  People spend so much time and consideration in naming their child, don't they want to use said name?  I get the shorthand function of using "kids" over listing multiple names, but it was way overdone.

Yet, something about the overuse seemed symbolic of their devotion to each other and the satisfaction they took in their roles.  They were like a special little club - the club of being a family.  Aww shucks.

The experience confirmed two things: 1) this wifey needs more time before she's ready for club initiation, and 2) this wifey needs more coffee before she's ready to face that many mommies, daddies and kiddies on a weekend morning.

3 comments:

Coll said...

The mere thought of getting kids up and out for a family trip to the bagel store is foreign and exhausting to me. Growing up, my Father would head out early to pick up coffee, donuts and the paper. This would allow time for my parents to relax and my sister and I could stay in our pj's and watch cartoons all morning.
p.s. Congrats on your 100th post!!!! :)

WW said...

I loved this post! I have noticed lately that all of my friends use the noun "kiddos" now. As in: "I would love to come over for dinner, but I don't have anyone to watch the kiddos." Frankly, I find it odd and annoying.

Leah (it's me) said...

Coll - Thanks! I totally agree. The energy required to make my own order in the loud, crowded, chaotic bagel shop was almost too much...can't imagine doing it with little one(s). I think I'll follow in her father's footsteps.

WW - Thanks! It pretty much drove me crazy that morning, I'm not sure if I can't stand it in general or if it was too early and WAY overused.