LIFESTYLE

Thursdays at Three elementary school at 2:30 p.m. If we drove straight home, we could have two uninterrupted hours of playtime before I needed to start dinner and the evening activities. That was precisely the pocket of time I needed to turn all those “somedays” into “todays.” The Death of Mommy Guilt BY AMANDA MCDANEL When I proposed the idea to my girls, they nodded in agreement with a mumbled “sounds fun.” But, if I was going to commit, I was going to go BIG. Probably the largest and more resounding step I made was putting away my phone for two entire interrupted hours (except to take pictures), and I saw their eyes suddenly widen in surprise at my dedicated attention.

THERE’S A SEEMINGLY INNOCUOUS CONTAINER While Pinterest is a brilliant tool to archive all of your For our first adventure, I picked up a new board game that’s been sitting in my pantry and calling to me like ideas, visions and “somedays,” I find that it often fuels that we sat and played together on the floor for an entire a siren whenever I open the doors. The imprint of a more guilt than inspiration. Though I absolutely believe hour. Eye contact. Belly Laughs. Tickles. Next came the unicorn frolicking among rainbows simply implores me in dreaming, and even the concept of visions boards to snack portion, where I whipped out some artificially to pull it out and play, much like a forgotten favorite inspire action to pursue those dreams, the wealth of dyed high-fructose-filled ice cream treats that were met childhood toy. Also like said favorite toy, it was initially information available on the site can easily turn it into a with linebacker hugs of appreciation. Beat that, Fun Dad! purchased during a weak moment, so the unicorn itself virtual dumping ground of “should haves” – especially if We returned to battle it out with another board game and its contents are not at fault – but for the longest time you’re a parent. round until Johnny arrived home to I just couldn’t bear to crack the lid, knowing that to do so That pin you saved for a happy, joy-filled household rolling would be like unlocking Pandora’s box. dressing your toddler like an If we drove straight home, we around on the floor, tangled in each “Fly high on a unicorn! Climb aboard and get ready to soar, we’re going to see a unicorn’s power come to life! Want to search for rainbows and other magical creatures? Oompa Loompa, the crazy hair day inspirations for crafting baby spaghetti spirals, the special could have two uninterrupted hours of playtime before I other’s limbs and laughter. After that first experience of Thursdays at Three, my heart was Maybe we’ll meet a fairy! Only our imaginations can slow storybook where you were going needed to start dinner and so full that I committed to revisiting us down when we use Slime to Play!” Clearly, whoever is doing Jell-O’s marketing campaign to have every single teacher your kids ever had write a memorable the evening activities. That those Pinterest boards – but from the perspective that I would wholly for the containers of Jell-O Play 100% Edible Strawberry message – all untouched and only was precisely the pocket of celebrate each and every activity we Unicorn Slime deserves a raise – it’s simultaneously every resurfacing again after they’ve hit time I needed to turn all those accomplished instead of dwelling kid’s dream come true and every parent’s nightmare. So why on earth would it be sitting in my pantry just begging their teenage years, permanently anchoring you with a heavy sense “somedays” into “todays.” on the vast sea of those we did not. And I’m happy to report that for its unicorn power to be unleashed? Let’s rewind a few of parental guilt over what “a good Thursdays at Three is still alive and years… parent would have done.” well. It’s dedicated to doing the

I’m sure all brides-to-be, new moms, crafters, teachers, These kinds of missed opportunities are enough to crazy, outlandish and completely messy activities that post-college decorators on a budget and et cetera are weigh on a parent during the most normal of times… fill my daughters’ eyes with wonder and my heart with familiar with the website Pinterest. It’s the shiny perfect without the compounding effects of a national pandemic memories – even when I’m plucking 450 oversized waterorb of social media that allows you to search everything when most of us are now expected to perform the roles filled beads out of the bathtub or scraping edible slime from Instagrammable brunch recipes to sensory of parent, homeschool teacher, cafeteria staff, principal off the underside of the dining room table. Because if activities for three-week-old left-handed babies, and and school nurse. we’re all going to crack open Pandora’s Box, there’s no “pin” them onto boards that you can refer back to… Sitting with these thoughts day after day, I finally better time than 2020…and I personally plan to slip slide never. Unless, of course, you’re planning a wedding and woke in the middle of the night with a brilliant idea (nod into 2021 in my underwear on a giant water blob of fun – you have 27 boards to review with your florist, cake in agreement here since I know you understand the with both my girls’ hands clasped tightly in mine. artist, bridal party, caterer and pet attendant in order to feeling): Thursdays at Three. Pre-pandemic Thursdays plan the picture-perfect wedding while swearing you are were the days that my preschooler was home all day THURSDAY WEDNESDAYTUESDAY definitely not a high-maintenance “bridezilla.” (Side note: My husband, Johnny, would like to personally thank the programmer who did not develop Pinterest until AFTER our wedding in 2006.) and we traveled together to pick up her big sister from FRIDAY 18 | FALL/HOLIDAY 2020