Do you remember these home intercom systems from the 1980’s? Many of my friends had a few of these in their house, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Over the last 20 years these systems have become obsolete (at least in typical homes…I bet giant mansions use updated versions.)
I live in a 2 story, 4 bedroom house. It’s not gigantic, but big enough that I am not always in good earshot of my little ones. Lately I’m wishing for one of these intercom systems! The very minute I go upstairs and attempt to watch TV or relax, the girls seem to need me every 3 seconds! They have a playroom downstairs, a TV, 2 bathrooms and closet full of art supplies. They should be good to go for awhile. But instead I hear “Moooooooommyyyyyyyy!!!” Can’t they problem-solve one single thing on their own? Can’t they just play independently for 5 consecutive minutes? Sometimes they do. But NEVER when I try to sneak away for a breather. They have radar for this. I can almost time it to an every-3-minutes schedule. “Moooooooommyyyyyyyy!!! I need help going potty!” “Mommyyyy, Molly is coloring on my picture!!!” “Mommyyyy, I’m hungry!!”
Today I found myself literally yelling to the point of hoarseness from upstairs to respond to their constant calling of my name from downstairs. And then of course 90% of their needs required that I run downstairs, then back upstairs, downstairs, then back upstairs. I got fed up and shouted “Please don’t need me for FIVE minutes! Just FIVE minutes, okay??! Don’t need me for FIVE minutes!” And I marched back upstairs to my comfy chair and laptop, hoping to sit for a few minutes. (Did I mention that I’m 20 weeks pregnant?)
Maybe some housewife in the 80’s invented the old school home intercom system because she was tired of all the yelling in her house. Between the kids’ calls for my attention, and my responses from upstairs, there’s too much yelling. How I long for an intercom downstairs (at a child’s reach) and another upstairs. Or maybe I should invest in walkie talkies! Now there’s a gift idea for Mother’s Day.
Obviously I just need to stay on the same floor as the kids. Maybe in a few years when they’re bigger I’ll be able to “hide” more successfully.
Nicole
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