Mom the Taxi Driver
Mom the Taxi Driver: From stay-at-home mom to stay-in-the-car mom
School starts and the term "stay-at-home mom" is no longer accurate. I become a "stay-in-the-car mom," driving to and from two different schools, to and from three different sport practices and games, play dates, church events, scout meetings and music lessons. My office/snack shack/tutoring center/toy box/first aid station/locker room, otherwise known as my little Mazda 5, carts children around the city in a quest of "well roundedness."
When I had one young child, I would watch families with older children run hither and yon absorbed by their children's activities. I would sadly shake my head and say, "I will NEVER over schedule my week with kids’ activities after school." But the proof of my failure is in my car. The smashed fries found under a booster seat tell a story of two practices too close together to make it home for a meal. The pile of homework says that while one child throws a ball another is getting ready for a science test. The band-aid wrappers say the youngest child thought it would be fun to try to climb the wall on the back end of the soccer field. Crushed juice boxes and snack wrappers tell me that we hit the road straight from school and it was going to be a long evening. The endless supply of McDonald's toys that fall out as legs of different lengths jump out of the car remind me that there is always a child or two left behind to wait and play!
The supplies that collect within the metal frame of my automobile tell the story of the time spent together in my taxi. But I no longer think of this as a failure. It's a sign of success in my book. I get quality time--where my kids are held captive by seat belts--to go over the happenings of their day. I know about teachers, classes and friends. I know which classmate eats bugs to gross out the girls and which girl in the third grade is the bossiest! I know what was served at lunch and who talks too much at lunch. I like being the one who witnesses the moments of their lives. These moments strung together make great stories. Sometimes the story centers on a winning game but at other times it's a story of a missed catch that gave the other team the winning run. Or it may be a story of conquering a new skill or frustration with this year's pine wood derby car. Whatever the story may be and whoever is telling it, I am there. For me it's not the destination that's rewarding but the many miles in between and the memories that are made along the journey.
Do I get tired of the taxi duties? You bet! My back hurts and my patience with traffic on I-435 dwindles. Do I hate being a "stay-in-the-car mom?" No way, I enjoy it! I'm grateful for my job as taxi mom... I get to be there for every new experience. I may throw out the McDonald's toys and crushed juice boxes, but I will keep each story that is shared in my heart.
Mindy Muller drives the streets of Kansas City with three kids and two dogs... just living the dream!