Are there gremlins in my house?

As I waded through the toys and bits in my living room this morning, I began wondering if clutter reproduces itself. Does the missing Lego under the couch wink at the yellow dump truck across the room and make a date? Does the Harry Potter dvd invite the fake ketchup in the miniature kitchen up to the t.v. stand for coffee?

Delegation is definitely the key, especially when you work from home. How to actually do this is still a mystery to me. No, I’m not a control freak and have absolutely no desire to clean it all up by myself, but the half-job that is done when I order everyone to pick up the junk is annoying.

So it sits. (Ask my mother.) One day I will make enough to hire Merry Maids like I did when I was pregnant with my second child, but for now, I get to scream with pain daily as I step on another Matchbox car.

Is your house neat and tidy or does it look as if a gremlin ran through with 20 of his best buddies?

The main thing is to enjoy the family while they are here, for all too soon, my sons will be out in the world on their own. The house will be clean, but quiet, and I will long for the days of Matchbox cars and Legos under my couch.

Tolerance Is Grossly Underrated

DEFINITION:

tol·er·ance (tŏl'ər-əns) n. The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.

Even though we live in the 21st century and we are supposed to be enlightened, we are still concerned with the color of one’s skin, the god they worship and the person they love.

I just read a report on ABC News about J.K. Rowling’s announcement that Dumbledore is gay. So, what is the problem with that? I have many gay friends and did not notice anything related to Dumbledore’s sexuality when I read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And so what if I did? What is the big problem?

My sons are growing up knowing the world is richly populated with all types of people, and that is a good thing. If we were all the same, life would be pretty boring. I can proudly proclaim that my sons are colorblind, appreciative of other faiths and customs, and whom a person loves will not be an issue with them as they grow. We have not even gotten to the age where love and relationships matter to them, but I do not expect their level of tolerance to change.

Moreover, why do we use the word “tolerance?” Do we have to steal ourselves to “tolerate” someone who has a sex life different from our own? Do have to tolerate someone whose skin is a different color? Do we have to “tolerate” someone who worships differently than we do? Why am I still shaking my head in 2007?

What do you think?

Are you open about the world and its inhabitants with your children?

I hope this question generates intelligent and thoughtful responses. All thoughts are welcome, but do not slam or bash anyone or your comment will be deleted immediately. Ignorance is one thing for which I have absolutely no tolerance.