Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for November 21, 2010

Yes, Aunt Joan did answer his question - in spades!

I’m with Andy on this one. Is she talking about a twenty-minute shower or a four-hour spa treatment? Enquiring minds would like to know…

Max is soooo right! Insightful tyke! ok, he’s been listening and watching instead of talking

Hey all there are moms out there can sympathize with Joan.

Nothing like a hot shower to make you feel human again-and Aunt Joan can probably accomplish all she needs in about half an hour-not a four hour spa treatment. Help the lady out!

Whatever happened to “youngsters” doing what they are asked to do without whining and complaining? I learned early on that you did it, or you got it!

@ Nabuquduriuzhur

Joan is working from home with a breast-feeding baby and a pre-schooler as well as being a housewife. Unless you’ve been there and done that (and I have), don’t criticize! It can take 15 minutes to get the kids settled and happy so that they won’t interrupt a business phone call – and then some sob will put you on hold until one of the kids needs you or is up to something.

I hear ya, Joan. The noise my kids make when I tell them it’s time to gasp PICK UP THEIR ROOMS is so bad, it’s a wonder that my neighbors don’t call DCFS.

To give Andy the benefit of the doubt, he agreed first, and only asked how long it would take afterwards; his acceptance wasn’t conditional. If he had phrased it as “Sure. As a ballpark figure, should I be thinking 20 minutes or two hours?”, he could have saved himself some grief.

Andy clearly hasn’t discovered a baby and a toddler make great chick magnets. Give Joan a real break Andy and take them out for the afternoon.

I hope she takes all the time she wants. Andy will be a dad some day, and maybe he’ll understand. One can dream, anyways.

Hey @nabuq, how many kids were you raising from babies?

Crabby, I like your style.