The Family Watering Hole

Hey, mommas! I have a treat for you today. Our very own Alison Bogue is a bit of a writer. Well, more than a bit. She is gifted with both word and humor. And I know many, probably all, of us can relate with her stories. She has graciously offered to share a few of her writings with us here on the blog. This is the first. So, I will get out of the way and let you all enjoy the talent of Mrs. Alison Bogue...

The Family Watering Hole
by Alison Bogue

I was pregnant with Girl 3. When you stay home all day with four small children, you start to hallucinate. You sometimes forget that those little beings need constant supervision. You live in chaos and noise. Sounds begin to blur and so does your vision. Then you suddenly realize, things are quiet and two are not in the room with you.
I walked into the hallway with Boy 2 on my hip. He was one of those babies that had to be constantly attached or they scream. I looked at the various doors. One was closed. It was the bathroom, of course. I heard noises behind the door.
I slowly opened the door and saw Girl 2, who was three, giving a cup of water to Boy 1, who was two.  He drank some and she went to refill it for him…from the potty.
“What are you doing?” I asked in utter disbelief. What on Earth had possessed the child?!
“Don’t worry, Mama. I’m not drinking it. I’m just giving it to him.” Girl 2 made this statement so matter-of-factly. Sometimes she says things that just make me stare at her. She’s truly amazing…and unpredictable.
“You shouldn’t be giving it to him either!” I explained. I took both of them out of the bathroom. After I deposited Boy 2 in a playpen, I washed Boy 1’s mouth with soap. I then spent the next twelve hours trying not to think of septic poisoning and staring at Boy 1 constantly for signs of it.

Moral: Never leave a bathroom door unlocked with unpotty-trained children in the house.