How Do Other Parents Manage It?

This weekend was, quite possibly, the LONGEST of my life as a father of three. Last week, all of the rest of my family (wife and three youngins') all had a sickness of some sort- coughing, sneezing, ear, nose, and throat gunk, the whole works. I did everything I could to help out, while trying to avoid prolonged contact and infection myself. That worked.....for a day or two. But, of course, any glass of water I prepare, gets sipped from behind my back, and kisses CANNOT be denied, so I got it. Our weekends are never empty any more, and this was a little extra busy, even. It started Friday night with Winter Dance Recital dress rehearsal. Imagine, a few hundred kids, none of whom have had regular dance classes for the last two weeks (due to the holidays), trying to all pull together a performance, the first time any have seen their costumes as well. The "one hour rehearsal" started 1/2 hour late, then ended up going 1 1/2 hours after that. So, the weekend was already 2 hours behind. Saturday night brought the actual show. Now a couple hundred kids and a few hundred of their relatives, all squeezed into a small dance studio. The Boys hockey practice had been switched around at the last minute, so now his group, instead of going early, was now going late....so late that it was at the same time as the dance program. So, one activity overrode the other, The Boy was not amused. Added to that was the fact that my own parents, the grandparents to two of the performers, found something 'better' to do than use the tickets we had bought for them. It was my Mom's companies Christmas party, and rather than go late, they sent their apologies that afternoon. Luckily, my sister and her boyfriend agreed to come down and use the tickets. They had a lot of fun, and the kids liked to have them there, since we don't see them all that much, so it was a little more special. They did miss their grandma and grandpa though. So, that was hot and crowded, but fun, overall. It was scheduled to run an hour, and once it got going, it ran an hour, no major snafus or delays, trips, or costume malfunctions. We followed with a nice dinner out, just the five of our family, and the waitresses all fawned over the two girls, still dressed in their performance hair and make-up. Today, though, the sickness hit me, full force, and today was my day to be "on". I had to teach Sunday school first thing in the morning. Its really tough tot keep eight six year olds in line when you don't have a voice left anymore. Then, I picked up the wife and we went grocery shopping. Not too bad, but I would have rather been back home in bed by then. Then, the forcing of The Boy to take a nap. He's six, still a bit under the weather, stayed up a little later last night playing video games....he needed it! The problem was, he was still fast asleep when it was time to go to hockey. Two things were at work...first, was the missed practice the day before. I am OK if he's having an off day, maybe skipping once or leaving early or not staying for three-on-three games, but he needs at least one practice a week, until the outdoor ice opens up (then he gets four hours a week!). So he NEEDED to go tonight. Second, was that some dip-s*** had deleted his team's group picture a few weeks before. So we need to be there 1/2 hour early, in full gear, to retake the shot. Well, I had to drag him out of bed, drag him into clothes, drag him out of our house, drag him into the car, drag him out of the car at the arena, drag him into the arena, then drag him into his gear. NOBODY was happy at that point! He did OK, smiled nice for the camera and all, but then decided that that was the extent of his hockey activity for the afternoon. So, we had a long, dragged out fight about him going out on the ice for practice. Everything he holds dear was but on the line: video games, movies, Star Wars toys, Legos, etc. but he was not budging. He beat me down, tried to bite me a few times, cried until his eyes were dry...but then he went out on to the ice. AND PROCEEDED TO HAVE FUN.....of all the nerve! In the end...all was good. I am still sick, having heat flashes (probably fevers), body aches, the whole works. And just in time for the end of the weekend.
Oh well...that's being a parent, I guess.