Different people react differently when they get sick. Some are overly dramatic misery-alists (yes, I made that up, its like moralist+misery), where they pontificate on the evils of their condition while bemoaning the sad state of the society that allows them to be sick. Some tough it out and just get angry at the world. Some really do not get sick (I hate them, by the way, with the fire of a thousand suns, to quote "10 Things I Hate About You"). Me, I get introspective and moody. In short, miserable. Misery. The art of being despondent. You know, Mr. Buckets of Fun.

Of course, this all means my family has to cope with my delusions of morbidity. It also means I get to fail in many ways I promised I never would. For example, as I type this, my oldest son is watching "The Fox and the Hound", after he watched a few episodes of Curious George. Why? Well, because I don't have the energy to keep up with him. Furthermore, the other one needs a nap, meaning I have to have something to keep #1 busy (by the way, to anyone who has ever felt judged by me in the way you have raised your kids, I'm really trying to stop that mess. And consider this my blanket apology forever on the topic, because raising kids could be compared to successful medieval alchemy, ain't nobody got a formula) while I get #2 down for a nap. And don't go all "Well, if you were a prepared parent...", as #2 was Mr. Snotty-Screamy Face until 3 AM.

As a SAHP, what does that mean? Did I fail my kids today? Am I a bad parent? Do I need a time out (please, can I get a time out)? I'll let you know after my sinuses stop running like a faucet, take care of lunch and dinner, teach my class tonight at the local Community College, and try to get some sleep tonight with the sick child snotting all over the place and screaming in misery. And you know what? I still don't have a right to be Mr. Miserable. Why? Did you miss the part where I'm a SAHD?

It is a cycle, I will get better, and I will return to my normal Mr. Buckets of Fun status. My family will remain good even while I'm on misery hiatus. I will drink enough tea to re-enact the Boston Tea Party. And I will share with you, hoping that someone else out there will realize that the trick is not giving up, rather than the perfectionist getting it right the first time. Speaking from experience as a former high school teacher, modeling that particular lesson may be one of the most important things you ever do for your children.