Mom always liked you best!

Okokok... I admit it.

I have a favorite child.

I didn't realize I was playing favorites until it was Saturday afternoon and Joe and I were running errands in different parts of town. That meant we each had to take a child with us. We fought over who would take Caitlynn.

She's our favorite right now.

Why? It's mainly because she's easy to take to public places. She's beyond the crying and whining stage (and asking for gum in the store). She's well behaved and I don't have to worry about her throwing a tantrum because I'm not going to buy her a toy. She just gives me the silent treatment when she doesn't get her way. I can deal with that.

Don't get me wrong, I adore Miles, but sometimes... geez. He can get under my skin. It isn't that he's necessarily bad in the stores. The "throwing himself on the floor while screaming and crying" phase is over, but he constantly asks for stuff... toys, movies, gum, candy, etc. It gets tiring.

It wasn't too long ago when Caitlynn acted like Miles in public. She had her moments of scary-child-ness. These are the moments when non-parents make sure they have enough birth control in the cabinet and may be extra cautious -- like by taking the pill and using a condom. No kids for us! They are scary! I can't say I blame them.

But Caitlynn is growing up. She's learned how to behave and now Joe and I play rock-paper-scissors over who gets to take our daughter with us while running errands.

I'm hoping that over the next few years, Miles starts to mature and he can move into the favorite child spot. For now, however, I dread the moments when I have to take him to the grocery store.

I could drug him. That might make it easier.

But then I'd have to deal with glares from other parents, as they see a 6-year-old child laying in the cart with drool coming out of his mouth. What are you staring at? You've never seen a tranquilized child?

Yeah. Parenting is fun.





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