Do you know that part in Scaredy Squirrel where he makes a change to his daily routine?
Right, ok. There’s this kid’s book called Scaredy Squirrel that my son got for a present. (Thanks, Candide.) The squirrel in this book is a paranoid germaphobe who stays in his nut tree all day, every day. Until … one day he falls out into the Unknown and discovers that nothing bad happens. He then decides to incorporate one jump into the Unknown into his daily routine.
I am like Scaredy Squirrel right now. Well, except that I am not a paranoid germaphobe and don’t live in a nut tree and am fairly well-acquainted with the Unknown. But I do have a routine now that the school year is well underway and I’m ready to make a change to it.
Instead of my current afternoon routine: Bring Colum to the bus stop, Walk back home, Put Irene down for a nap, Clean up lunch things, Start working just as Irene wakes up.
Let’s try this: Bring Colum to the bus stop, Go to coffee shop with Irene, Drink coffee and read a paper with Irene, Walk back home, Put Irene down for a nap, Clean up lunch things, Start working just as Irene wakes up.
I suddenly realized just how much I miss taking a break that doesn’t involve collapsing on the couch and looking at all the housework that needs to be done. I miss picking up newspapers made out of newsprint. I miss the atmosphere of cafes and restaurants. And I don’t need to.
This is why I bought a house in the city. This is why I am not homeschooling my kids. (Or one of the many, many reasons. God.) This is why I spike Irene’s milk with sedatives. No, no! Totally kidding about that one. Really, I do not drug my kids. Promise. (I’m totally going to live to regret that joke, aren’t I?)
I’m pretty sure that I can do this and nothing bad will happen — as long as I don’t stray too far from my nut tree.