Every parent or carer has experienced that sinking feeling…
You know – the one when you realise your kid has lost a toy/blanket/book/other apparently innocuous item.
That item that, for some inexplicable reason, has suddenly become invaluable and priceless in their eyes.
I see it in other parents’ eyes sometimes.
On a train. Or in a museum. Or a supermarket.
That wild-eyed look. “It’s gone!” “I can’t find it.” “George the giraffe …he’s gone”…”what the hell are we going to do now…we’ll have to retrace our steps…”
…all to the soundtrack of your kid screaming in despair…
You become that person you never thought you would. Posting desperate messages on your local Facebook groups: “Has anyone seen this stuffed mouse 🐁? Last seen in the park. Large reward offered”
It’s happened to us in the Carvalho household a couple of times over this festive period.
A baby shoe lost in Sainsbury’s (no joke – these kids’ shoes are pricey these days)
And yesterday, a pizza squishmallow (don’t ask) lost in the British Transport Museum.
So, just the thousands of tourists in Covent Garden to try to squish past then in our valiant quest to relocate said pepperoni-encrusted friend.
Happily for us, on both occasions, aided by the kindness of strangers, we’ve been able to locate said items, averting Titanic-sized meltdowns from either our twins (re the Squishmallow) or me (the shoe).
My point is : life is messy. It’s unpredictable. We have to rely on others’ kindness and good intentions, including strangers, more than we care to admit.
Often, you end up looking like a bit of a wally. Having kids in particular is humbling. You end up scouring Covent Garden for a cuddly pizza wondering how on earth you’ve become this person.
At The Carvalho Consultancy we know what it’s like to have a messy life. We’re relatable. And honest.
Who wants to speak to a therapist who doesn’t understand what it’s like to be knee-deep in the trenches of stress and unpredictability? I wouldn’t.
You can bring your mess to us! And you know we’ll get it.
And please pray for us that we make it through the rest of the festive period with both burger and pizza squishmallow safe and sound.
And the baby shoes of course…
(Posted with thanks to Lauren Fraser for her support yesterday during squishmallow-gate)