I’ve learned that it’s a great thing that men and women don’t always think alike. A few years ago I had an event I really wanted to attend and luckily for me it was right by my husband’s office so he offered to take our little boys during his lunch break so I could go.
When I returned to the car afterwards, I found my almost-4-yr-old wearing a new outfit:
Turns out he got so excited about having lunch with Dad he didn’t want to tell him when he needed to get to the bathroom and had a little overflow issue. At first my husband wasn’t sure what to do because I had neglected to bring along any back-up pants.
So he came up with this wardrobe option to get them through the rest of lunch, give me time to finish my thing, and get us back home again. I don’t think I would have come-up with it in a thousand years. But it totally worked. Good job, Dad. I’m so glad you’re my partner in this crazy adventure called parenthood.
Thanks to the response from when I first shared this story, we have created an official tutorial for making upcycled children’s clothing from plastic take-out bags. Think of the myriad of possibilities when this look would come in handy. Perhaps this tutorial will be useful enough to hit the big time. We await a call from Martha Stewart any day now. Let’s give him a warm welcome:
Hi Amy’s blog friends. I’m flattered and grateful for all your positive comments about my solution for our boy’s accident at lunch one day. I was surprised by Amy and many of you writing that you wouldn’t have thought of it. So I will take Amy up on her invitation to write a tutorial how to do so. And thanks so much for all the nice comments and validations you give Amy!
1. Get little boy into bathroom and clean him up while keeping 1-year-old from touching the urinal. After failing at the second part, wash his hands really good and never tell his mom that happened (until writing blog tutorial years later).
2. Contemplate putting 3-yr-old’s wet pants back on, but decline because that would be uncomfortable for him. Contemplate letting him go pants-free, but decline because of what his mom will say.
3. Never consider for one second what the other moms in the fast-food place might be thinking about your parenting abilities.
4. Look around bathroom for anything that could help. Attempt weaving a paper-towel lava lava or kilt. Fail.
5. Poke head out of bathroom and look around for other materials. Tell 3-yr-old to stay put while you carry 1-yr-old and grab take-out bag.
6. When 3-yr-old refuses to let you tie bag around his waist, poke holes in the bottom and rebrand it as cool “overalls” like workmen wear. Breathe sigh of relief when he accepts the idea.
7. Let boys continue to run around circular booth in fast-food joint until mom’s event ends.
8. Embrace any perceived judgment or derision from any of the other moms there. Tell yourself they are just wishing their husbands would spend more quality time with their sons.
9. Eagerly anticipate emailing your guy friends the photo of your son wearing a plastic bag as overalls.
10. When 3-yr-old demands to go visit your office, decline because the bag is a little bit see-through and his mom would be mortified.
11. Hold firm when he throws a tantrum and insists, “Put some black tape over my private part like on America’s Funniest Home Videos!”, even though that it is an impressive argument.
12. Present him with pride when his mom arrives to pick him up.
lucy
Thank you so much for the good laugh 🙂 <br />x
Brian G.
Good thinking, Dad. I recently fashioned a "dress" out of a garbage bag when our 3 year old threw up all over herself on the airplane. Desperate times call for creative solutions. 🙂
Leila
That was me not my husband Brian. Dumb log in thing. 🙂
SkippityDoDahQuilts
Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures! My nephew once had to pee in a Mountain Dew can and my sister's words were, "Jake, just stick it in there." Yes, I am totally serious. <br /><br />www.skippitydodahquilts.blogspot.com
RaeLyn
oh hilarious! I need ed that today, thanks!
KatheG
Just too funny!!! Thanks.
BillieBee (billiemick)
And they are waterproof.
pcflamingo
Genius, just genius. What a hoot!
Sasha
LOL!!!
Barbara
Haha, this is great.
Quiet Quilter
Clever! And so true! Amazing!
Merry Made Quilts
This is sooo going to be my go-to tutorial for the next accident!! I've got to add that it's extra fabulous that you didn't sneak out in shame but finished up at the restaurant first!
Anonymous
Personally, I like the kid's suggestion to use the black tape. Creativity abounds in your family!<br />–Becky C.
Denise :)
Baahahaha!!! That was GREAT! I'm forwarding a link to my daughter-in-law and my son. Just in case he's presented with a similar challenge some day soon. 🙂
The Cottage Mama
Hahaha!! Oh my gosh, I had to click over on this because I thought – "wow, Amy's doing kiddo clothes, how awesome!!" This seriously made me laugh – too funny!!<br /><br />Lindsay
Amy
haha,, maybe Dad could start a weekly guest spot.ya have to do what ya have to do:)
nikki
ha! i love it. am forwarding this to burke so we can laugh together. he'll be glad to know he's not the only one still watching america's funniest home videos.
Brittany
This is great! Very open, honest, and positive. Loved it!
Esther L.
I haven't laughed that hard in a while! Also, I'm sharing this with my hubby since we have a little boy we're currently potty training.
Linda
You totally rock!
Elle
I love it!
Anonymous
This made my day. I never laughed so hard and your hubby is not only creative in clothing design, but gifted in his writing. Such a good read. I plan on sharing this with my son who has four boys. Clever.<br />Sandy
LynCC
Hehe 🙂 Scott enjoyed this as much as I did! Lovin' the black tape request.
Dawn
Awesome. Just awesome. 🙂
Thimbleanna
Hahaha — you're too funny!
diane
Priceless!
Katie B.
Hilarious, and seriously helpful too! #11 is my favorite.
amy
Oh goodness, note to self, don't drink a beer & blog surf. Hilarious, thank you!
Quilts And Pieces
Oh my gosh – this is hysterical!
Laurie, the girls and Scott
This this be the first of many more Michael columns? Por favor?
Kristie
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! ! !! HAAAAA!
ecuakim
Truly funny.
Eli
Absolutely brilliant! Have sent link to my husband – just in case….
Amber
This was HILARIOUS!!! What a great read. Well written. I could totally picture this whole scenario.
Quilter in the Gap
I so needed a good belly laugh this morning…thanks for sharing!
LittleLucyGoosey
Hysterical! An absolute classic! I had to share this link on FB — a tutorial every parent should read. LOL!
ButtonMad
I am crying I am laughing so hard (and getting funny looks too!)Have a great weekend.
angela
Absoluetly fabulous! I haven't laughed out loud at a post in a while. Thanks for the fun. Dad-parenting is the best, great job!
megan.futo
Oh my gosh this was so funny! And this something I could picture my husband doing exactly. Thank you for sharing for hubs point of view!
April
Okay, I love this. <br />You guys are hysterical.<br />And we need to finish up some things, lady. When do you have time?
Stephanie
Thanks for that! Great way to start the weekend off! lol.
Live a Colorful Life
Thanks for the good laugh. and awesome tutorial. I have a 3-year-old grandson. This could come in handy at some point…
Crafty Girls Workshop
Hilarious, thanks for sharing!
Charlise
This is HILARIOUS!! I cannot wait to show my Dad and my brother-in-law!
Marsha
So funny! Thank you for the laughs. I immediately sent the link on to my daughter who is the proud mom of 3 preschoolers.
pinksuedeshoe
I have tears I am laughing so hard! I think steps 8 and 11 are my favorite. This is by far the most helpful post I've ever read. Nice work.
Brooke @ My Beautiful Brooke
BEST thing today!!! I love this!! I am laughing so hard!! You should definitely have your husband do more guest spots on your blog. Way too funny!!
Layne Bushell
I've read through all the comments so far and I'm still laughing and I still have tears in my eyes. That was so funny hearing it from him. I can see the chain of events. Thanks for sharing him with us Amy!
Connie
Can picture it all — so funny — they are right when they say kids change your life.
ktquilts
Oh, I will have to keep this in mind!!! ;0)<br />Thanks so much for the laugh.
Everyday Quilter
Best guest blogger ever! you better keep that creative man!
Donura
My husband was two thumbs up for the creative and gumption for the DAD, and loved the humor. Gave us a morning laugh. He doesn't usually so any interest in my blog reading :>)
Joann
Too funny!!!!. What a great post. Thank you
Rachel
Seriously laughing out loud….too funny…thanks for sharing!
Kari
HILARIOUS Amy!!!!
Lezah
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
schlawittchen
Haha, this is HILARIOUS!!! :D<br /><br />But you forgot point 13: Never show picture of former 3-yr-old wearing a plastic bag "overall" on his 21st birthday party.<br /><br />;)
GloJoeSews
OMG! I've read this several times and each time it makes me laugh out loud and share with others! Kudos to ur husband! What a creative family. Hilarious!
Jamie Gupton
This had me in stitches! Thank you for the "guest" post. 🙂 I think your husband is also very creative.
June D
Happy Father's Day!<br /><br />:)<br />
Sarah Elliott
There are no words…except for HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to a very quick thinking cool Dad!
grannymaudsgirl
Reading this, I am laughing so hard I am crying.
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sonia
félicitations au SUPER papa que vous êtes! …. 😉