Keepin'em Happy Ain't Easy

Back at the turn of the 19th Century, P. T. Barnum of circus fame was attributed with saying, "There's a sucker born every minute." It cannot be verified that P.T actually said that but it doesn't make it untrue. Looking at the plethora of gambling joints, casinos, lotteries and casting a vote for  any politician is proof enough there is indeed 'a sucker born very minute.'

I believe the only birth rate more prolific than that of 'the sucker' is the birth of a mommy hell-bent to make her kids happy. Now, I'm going to illustrate my premise using my older daughter, Dawn as an example in making my point. Warning: If you point a finger at her or laugh at her you are ignoring the 'plank in your own eye.'

Dawn and her husband, Shawn have seven children raging in ages 29-to-7. They are smart kids, good looking kids and respectful kids. My daughter is over-the-top doing for and pleasing the offsprings. My goodness, a combination of those kids have attended Disney World (Orlando, FL) 22 times.

Recently, Dawn and Shawn's oldest daughter, Lindsay gave birth to a son...first grandchild. At about the same time, brother Connor and sister Kaitlyn were leaving for college. Other siblings are busy         with their own lives, all of which makes a big house  feel exceptionally empty. Needless to point out that a family of that number did a great job placing the baby of the family on a pedalstel therefore it is understandable that little Ashlyn would be 'Blue' not having her accustomed attention. Mother Dawn   was quick to cheer up the little princess.  Dawn's responsibility is to alleviate Ashlyn's depression. Therefore, Dawn bought her a 'Gizmo pal.' This is a watch. Not any watch but a Pink watch that is programmed as a telephone. Ashlyn's Gizmo phone has the capability of programming five numbers. She could have gotten a Gizmo-phone with a nine number capacity but it WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN PINK. That WOULD be a Deal breaker!

This is the little girl who when placed in 'time out' as a two-year old said to her mommy,
"Can we talk about this?"

Oh, about the five telephone numbers Ashlyn elected to have programmed into her 'Get Smart' Gizmo-pal phone-watch?  (1) Lindsay>need to check on new baby, (2) Dawn>must know where mommy is every moment, (3) Kaitlyn>check on college life, (4) Alexa>when are you getting home from cheer practice and (5) Connor>just because. Perhaps, when a Gizmo-pal upgrade is offered with nine numbers-capacity, Dawn can talk Ashlyn  into putting her father on the call list...after all I'm sure it's Dad who gets the AT&T invoice.

I can imagine how horrified my daughter Dawn would be walking into the Disney World's Magic Kingdom Castle next spring for breakfast with Snow White, Ariel and Cinderella and little Ashlyn wearing a Pink dress and a GREEN GIZMO WATCH-PHONE!
(Touch)
Daddy's Little Girl