A Question I Never Thought I'd Hear

Bath time is always stressful around here. Bedtime is usually looming when I take a look at the kids and realize that it's been days since their last bathing experience. I have to dig DEEP inside to muster up the energy at the end of the day to rustle them up the stairs, and into the tub.

This week, the usually dreaded bath time ritual was marked by a wonderful, completely unexpected exchange.

Bella was trying to decide whether to jump in the bath with her siblings or take a shower by herself. At seven, she can do most of the shower by herself, just requiring a little supervision to ensure all the shampoo is out of her hair.

She stood at the top of the stairs, between the two bathrooms, torn by indecision. Jack and Juliette were already in the tub, splashing around, making a mess on the floor.

Filled with anxiety over the mounting amount of water on the bathroom floor, I told her, "Bella! Just make up your mind!"

And that's when she hit me with the most wonderful question.

"Mommy, what's easier for you?"

I stood, tearing up and hugged her hard. Then I thanked her for the most amazing gift she had ever given me. Empathy.

Jack then tried to get in on the bandwagon of praise by repeating the question as he understood it:
"Mommy, what's easier for me?" Even after multiple explanations, he never got the difference.

This is an original Chefdruck post. Please don't copy without my permission.