It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
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A word to the wise: do NOT babysit a two year old while simultaneously supporting a four year old on a class field trip.
What seemed like a good idea from the comfort of our home was simply a figment of our imagination, a mind game, the proverbial ‘rich learning experience.’ The field trip to the National Zoo was on the day that local air quality plummeted due to Canadian wildfires – I offer this as an excuse for our hazy decision-making skills.
Early on in the adventure, waiting for the school bus with preschoolers and teachers to arrive, the littlest nature lover found a couple acorns on the ground and held them in one hand and yummy goldfish snacks in the other. Moments later we learned Lesson One: never ever ever take your eyes off the two year old. It is extremely challenging to ‘support’ preschoolers at the lion exhibit while simultaneously discovering that the acorns have been chewed and swallowed. Grab a paper towel – quick, spit it out – finger swipe inside cheeks – here, gulp water – swish and spit – hey, squirrels eat raw acorns all the time.
On with the field trip!
Moments later, barely recovered, we studied snakes with big sister and classmates in the reptile house, and repeated Lesson One: never ever ever take your eyes off the two year old. She was no longer at our side. Stroller was empty. It is true: time really does stand still when a child goes missing. Seconds of absence feel like hours. I ran a few steps back, retracing our steps, and THERE SHE WAS!! Little miss had slipped away without our knowing for one last reverential look at the Komodo dragon.
This field trip aged me.
There was only one lesson:
Lesson One: never ever ever take your eyes off the two year old.
It took two hard tries, but the lesson was learned and never to be forgotten. This field trip was not a situation where we were watching both big sister and little sister. From that point on, we kept our focus on the two year old, and let the teachers and ‘bonafide’ chaperones work with the preschoolers. We tagged along at the back of the pack, wished the class farewell when they returned to their bus, and we made our way back to our car.
The madness of the morning had one final and ridiculous crescendo moment in the parking lot, when two old fools could not figure out how to fold up the jogging stroller – a tool that our son thought would make things so much easier for us, out and about at the zoo. Where is the videotape of our ridiculous gyrations? Rest assured, “Squirrel” was locked into her car seat and plied with real, edible snacks while this wrestling match ensued. The whole debacle finally concluded with a somewhat humiliating text exchange with said son, and clarification of what gizmo is pressed and pulled in order to fold up the stroller beast.
A long nap was had by each of us upon our return home.
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Maureen,
I feel your pain. I recall *losing* my boys in Mervyn’s years ago. They were hiding in a rack. And as I read, I kept thinking about the disservice you are doing to your son and his wife be going to the zoo w/ a two year old and a class of preschoolers. Your son and daughter-in-law should not be denied these adventures. Remember that before you say “yes” next time. 😉
That was one of the funniest parts, actually – my daughter-in-law was there, chaperoning! Since we were babysitting the youngest, she suggested we drive over separately and ‘join the fun” (thinking that the two-year-old would love the experience). Our goofs were on exhibit for our daughter-in-law, lol. She totally understood, no worries. She was on the bus to and from the zoo – so, unfortunately, could not help with the stroller at the end (and fortunately missed our shenanigans with that monstrosity). I tried to write this story with humor – we are laughing about it now!
As an auntie without children of my own, I’ve made so many “rookie mistakes” when babysitting nieces and nephews. One involved an entire jar of pickles ending up on the kitchen floor minutes before having to head out the door. Forgot to remind people to use the bathroom. Oops! Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you for this! The thing is, I am so not a rookie – I am a retired preschool teacher, who used to bring classes to the zoo every year. It really makes me chuckle at how watching a two year old took more focus than the larger group of slightly older children!
I remember those days- so stressful trying to keep track of the kiddos! Glad to hear you all made it home and got naps!
Thank you! We are laughing about the experience now. (And we’ll say no to the next offer to join such fun!)
Oh my goodness, Maureen, this experience left me tired – – the energy of a two year old is no joke! It took four adults to manage three children when we recently took some of my son’s crew to Discovery Place in Nashville, Tennessee. One went missing, and we found him talking to a few Tennessee Titans cheerleaders. Yes – – your rule of never taking our eyes off them is apt! I agree, and I’m ready for a nap just thinking about how tired the constant energy makes me.
It is so much harder than it looks! The children get so caught up in one another, in their next bright thing to explore – and anything can happen. I will not be bringing the two year old out on any big excursions like this anytime soon, lol. I learned my lesson!