I am in pain. I've been in pain all day. Last night, I was in "searing pain", which is pain multiplied by pain, divided by relief, then multiplied by pain to the tenth power. In case you are not a math whiz, that equals pain with 33 zeros after it. Two days ago, I was in pain (just regular pain, no zeros). In fact, I was in pain all week.
Welcome to my humor column.
Actually, pain is not really all that funny ... unless it happens to somebody else. Oh, come on. Don't get all sanctimonious on me. Pain is the very essence of the Bugs Bunny Show. And the Three Stooges. And every sitcom that relies on personal slights and insults. Without pain to tickle the funny bone, the entertainment industry would be no bigger today than George Bush's collection of feminist literature.
Of course, pain is funny only when it happens to somebody else. It's a lot like reality TV. If it was you stranded on a desert island with a dozen other maniacs, trying to cook worms without emptying your stomach first, would you feel "entertained"?
Fortunately for the deep-pocket sponsors of reality TV, it's not really very real. As long as somebody else is enjoying their makeshift meal of gourmet slimies, it's called entertainment.
Unfortunately for me, my muscle pain is real. It's in my back. It's in my side. It hurts when I bend, twist, or make any sudden movement not approved by the FDA, the DEA, the IRS, the RCMP, the CIA or Interpol.
I did something stupid. No, I did not try a triple summersault on my snowboard in the Rockies. Unfortunately, it was not that stupid. But I did pick up 37-pound Little Lady to place her in her high chair. And I did use just one arm, off to the side, while fiddling with the high chair straps.
I was keenly aware of the exact moment that God said, "It's about time you learn a lesson about physics and biology and all those other subjects you so smugly weaseled your way out of in high school." Ouch.
Parents of young children deserve immunity against muscle pain. A young child should be a "get out of pain free" card. You get to go directly to health, do not pass the hospital, do not pay $200.
Why special treatment for parents of young children? Because they never get the chance to fully recuperate.
Children demand 100 times more physical interaction than adults. And guess what? They want it at their level ... which means bending over. Ouch.
Children are unpredictable, which means they might suddenly grab your leg with enough energy to fell an oak. Since there is rarely an oak in your living room, your leg falls with you attached. Or you react to keep yourself from falling ... which means twisting. Ouch.
Did I mention that kids want to play a lot? Running. Dancing. Chasing. Throwing. Rolling on the floor. Can you resist? Of course you can. "Catch, daddy." Oops, I forgot. Ouch.
OK, how about playing something calm. I sat Little Lady in her high chair (without twisting this time) and placed some Play Dough in front of her. "Please, please, please stop dropping chunks on the floor where I have to bend reeeeeeeally low to pick them up." Ouch.
A parent of a young child simply does not have the opportunity to heal. He just keeps re-injuring himself over and over and over and over.
So if you notice my columns growing less funny and more painful, please don't laugh. It's my pain, and it is real.
About The Author
The author is David Leonhardt, The Happy Guy, publisher of Your Daily Dose of Happiness at http://thehappyguy.com/daily-happiness-free-ezine.html. Read more personal growth articles in his Self-actualization Resource Center at http://thehappyguy.com/daily-happiness-free-ezine.html, or visit his home page at http://thehappyguy.com/daily-happiness-free-ezine.html.
http://thehappyguy.com/daily-happiness-free-ezine.html
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareSara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
"Will my doubts and fears affect my child?" This father... Read More
The distressed adolescent often has feelings of abandonment, emotional detachment,... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
Parents want their children to succeed in school. However, sometimes... Read More
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to... Read More
Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the... Read More
Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More
I will never forget the day that my daughter's sixth... Read More
Once the newness has worn off a little, you will... Read More
Each child carries a unique picture of the self, shaped... Read More
One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
As the new school year begins, parents play a pivotal... Read More
Does music need to be "dumbed-down" for kids? The answer... Read More
When our oldest son was 2, my wife went out... Read More
Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling... Read More
Child Car Seat Safety:We know you love your children, but... Read More
How bad is the illegal drug problem here in the... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
One of the most prevalent myths of our modern culture... Read More
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of... Read More
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
What is a parenting problem?Parenting is a tough job, we... Read More
Memorabilia ? Children can create enough artwork for an entire... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
1. Encourage your babysitter by keeping their favorite foods/snacks on... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
Having worked with parents for the last 35 years and... Read More
When David was nine and Laura was twelve, the battles... Read More
Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
One of parents' most important duties is to protect their... Read More
Karen, a single never-married thirty-year old attorney has a four-year... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More
Dear MomOn this day set aside to honour "Mother's" let... Read More
The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
Does this sound familiar? Have your kids not listened to... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
The big yellow school bus is coming down my road... Read More
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to... Read More
If you are currently homeschooling or considering homeschooling your child,... Read More
Parenting |