For some reason the rules are a bit different when mom is away and dad is totally in charge.
Dad’s, as some of you know by know, are never fully in charge but that’s another day, another blog.
So when Dad is fully in charge there are some expectations that go along with the role.
When a Dad is at the helm there must be knowledge of (and willingness to follow) the Cosby Code.
Think Chocolate cake for breakfast and you begin to get the picture.
Whenever my mom was away and my dad was fully in charge we knew we would be eating french toast for breakfast and hamburgers with home made french fries for dinner.
It was as sure a thing as the Spears girl splashed all over the supermarket tabloids.
In an attempt to rationalize, I would say with all the tasks and chores to be accomplished while Mom is away a seasoned Dad prioritizes and takes necessary shortcuts.
In regards to the morning routine, it is of utmost importance to wakeup, get everyone dressed, gather all necessary articles and items for school, AND make it school on time.
Time is precious - so a sugared bowl of cereal (in a Dad’s mind) is no different from a donut and a glass of milk from that little donut shop on the way to school.
Eating in the car saves time and that saves lives.
Seriously, it does. Somewhere. Somehow.
Letting the kids buy lunch a school (we have an awesome school cook) means Dad doesn’t have to make lunches and that also saves time and saves lives.
Seriously, it does. Somewhere. Somehow.
Do I really have to connect all the dots for you?
We work when Mom is away. It’s not all fun and games, ponies and puppies.
After school yesterday we got our homework done and accomplished a myriad of household chores.
We fully installed the drip irrigation system for the new plants in the planter boxes, cleaned up the yard, mowed the yard, and began to water it so we could repeat spending that quality time again in just a few days.
So was Dad concerned to end the day with a meal of Hot Dogs?
Nope.
We even raised our hotdogs and toasted one dear to our heart.
Homework, reading and showers and everyone in bed somewhere around the appointed bedtime and we gear up to do it all again.
I seem to need more sleep when Mom is away.
Randy Wray
April 29th, 2008 at 8:43 am
So were the kiddos singing praises to your name as you fed them “the chocolate cake?”
To the tune of Bill Cosby’s, “Dad is Great” -
Randy is great,
fed them the chocolate cake.
Beth will be home,
Randy’s next address might be (as in Alaska) Nome.”
April 29th, 2008 at 8:54 am
You are a great dad.
You forgot, however, to blog about the joy of seeing me this weekend as you promised on your way to the train station!
I forgive you.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Sure… chocolate cake has eggs, milk, flour. All the good stuff people need.
Think of the trip to the donut shop as your own miniature economic stimulus package. Donut shop owners have it tough. I know a few.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Hot dogs are full of protein.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Maybe frozen pizza tonight…………………thawed and baked, of course!
April 29th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Wow! It must be a universal dad thing because it reminds me of childhood. Do you ask the kids not to tell mom?
At least you don’t have to fix hair. That was always my big worry when my mom was away (I had very long hair). Dad’s answer was, “I used to braid rope on ship in the Navy. I can braid your hair.”
April 29th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Great blog! I prefer carrot cake, though, as that’s basically the same as eating a salad for breakfast … or any meal. Janice would go for those hot dogs, though! Her favorite meal. Yuk
April 30th, 2008 at 12:48 am
We eat cake for breakfast even when wife is home. But, I hope your wife is not reading your post, or she may send you to your room.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Not only are all these things true when mom is gone, but when she’s sick too. When mom is sick in our house, the whole world looks like that Visa commercial when the guy tries to use cash. The whole lines stops! She’s definitely a necessity–not only for what she does, but or who she is.