Play Dough in the Carpet is NOT a Tragedy!

“But there is play dough in the carpet!!”  My husband exclaims.  I can hear the small whimpering sobs of the children coming from various rooms in the house.  I had just returned home from running a few mommy errands.  When I left the children were happily laughing and playing with the play dough at the kitchen table. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves and then I ask, “What happened exactly?”  At this point my husband bursts into a ranting montage of details, about how the children were playing with the dough, laughing, being creative and happy, when child C decided to encourage child D to chase her around the couch with the newly created play dough monster. “And?” I patiently reply. I am waiting for the tragedy that caused the sobbing and the eternal banishment to their respective rooms. He gives me this blank stare.  I can feel and see the confusion emulating from his very soul. “And?” he utters, “Now there is play dough in the carpet.”  He looks at me like that one simple statement should explain it all.  I’m really struggling now not to laugh.  I once again have to take a deep breath just to keep from erupting into uncontrollable laughter.  With a calm that I have mastered after being a mom and wife for fifteen years, I reply, “Play dough in the carpet is not a tragedy.” I casually reach for the play dough container.  “Look, see, it says ‘nontoxic, easy clean up’ right on the package.”   I pat him motherly on the shoulder, “Maybe you need a time out honey.”  I reply with a smile. He turns and solemnly walks out of the room.

You see I have a philosophy about raising children, we only get them for a few years and then we have to let them out into the big scary world.  So we need to cherish all the moments we have.  If we are constantly focused on the stupid stuff, we miss the really important things are children need.  I really believe that play dough in the carpet isn’t that big of deal.  I can clean it out, or replace it, but a child can’t be replaced, nor can any of the moments we have with them.  I don’t want to miss anything.  I don’t want a lifetime of regrets for all the missed opportunities to be silly and laugh with my children.