WE WANT DADDY! (but Mom will do in a pinch)

In our family, it would seem that every day is Father's Day.

My husband is like a rock star, the favored parent, the Coolest Guy in the Universe. After all those years of my kids clinging to me, needing me constantly, and making me feel completely indispensable (and often, completely drained), my reign has come to an abrupt end.

When Daddy is gone, I am considered an acceptable--sometimes even outstanding--parent. My assistance is welcomed, my company requested. I provide food, clothing, hugs, education, and entertainment. But when he is around, my popularity plummets dramatically. In fact, I basically become obsolete.

Don't believe me? The other day my two sons got into a knock down, drag out fistfight over who was going to play with Daddy at the pool. ("No! YOU can play with Mom! I want DAD!") Everywhere we go, my daughter demands (loudly) that Daddy push her in the stroller/hold her hand/carry her. ("Not YOU, Mommy!" she says with a scowl. "DADDY do it!") When we walk through a parking lot, all three kids want to hold his two hands, while I walk alone, carrying all of their crap.

Nobody wants me. Everybody hates me. I guess I'll go eat worms...OR, maybe just read a magazine, or go to the grocery store, or have coffee, or take a walk, or go away for the weekend to visit some friends...

Hmmm, maybe my unpopularity is not such a bad thing after all. Better embrace the opportunity while I can. Besides, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Every time I come back from an outing, they greet ME like a rock star.

Anyway, I can't really complain about having a wonderful husband who is a fun, engaged, and loving father. And I can't blame the kids--after all, I think he is the Coolest Guy in the Universe, too.