This is my favorite excuse I use when I'm at home sneaking in an interview -- and the rabbit comes barging into my "office" (Bedroom) screaming that she's hungry, or needs to go "pee-pee" or whatever else a 3-year-old's needs might be at that particular nanosecond.
Usually when I have to do a work call while I'm home sans babysitter I tell the rabbit in advance. I explain in my calm, slow, please-understand-me-this-time voice that "mommy needs to go make a work phone call and I'll just be a 10 minutes ("No! Five!") okay five, and when I get out we can go down to the park for 20 minutes ("No! Five!") Well, actually sweetie, five is less than 20 but that's fine, but I need you to let mommy make her call. Okay?" ("No.") "Okay honey. So let's put on a few minutes of "Max and Ruby" and I'll be right out."
And if I am very lucky I can actually eek out a 20-minute interview and feel wildly thrilled with myself. Often within two minutes the rabbit has decided I have ignored her enough and that's that. Although, I have to admit she has grown more willing to let me have some work time -- okay, 20 minutes maybe a day. But still, being able to have some flexability is golden.
Strangely, I find that men are much more understanding of my explaining that today I am home because of a "babysitter malfunction." While women often meet my excuse with cold silence. Like today. With a source I desperately needed. With the rabbit wailing like I had thrown out her stuffed dog.
Happy Monday!
Usually when I have to do a work call while I'm home sans babysitter I tell the rabbit in advance. I explain in my calm, slow, please-understand-me-this-time voice that "mommy needs to go make a work phone call and I'll just be a 10 minutes ("No! Five!") okay five, and when I get out we can go down to the park for 20 minutes ("No! Five!") Well, actually sweetie, five is less than 20 but that's fine, but I need you to let mommy make her call. Okay?" ("No.") "Okay honey. So let's put on a few minutes of "Max and Ruby" and I'll be right out."
And if I am very lucky I can actually eek out a 20-minute interview and feel wildly thrilled with myself. Often within two minutes the rabbit has decided I have ignored her enough and that's that. Although, I have to admit she has grown more willing to let me have some work time -- okay, 20 minutes maybe a day. But still, being able to have some flexability is golden.
Strangely, I find that men are much more understanding of my explaining that today I am home because of a "babysitter malfunction." While women often meet my excuse with cold silence. Like today. With a source I desperately needed. With the rabbit wailing like I had thrown out her stuffed dog.
Happy Monday!
Comments
Frequently malfunctions.
Still despise myself.
Yes, I also find the women less understanding than the men.