My policy on giving up naptime: Bite Me.
For those of you (by whom I mean catherinejulian) wondering about my inauguration experience, I'm gonna copy/paste this comment that I made on MetaFilter. 'Cos that's how lazy I am.
I was working today, and the 2 1/2 year old girl I nanny for distinctly didn't want to nap at noon, so I told her we were going to watch the new President. I explained the inauguration as best I could to a two year old:
"Look! Everybody is so happy to have a new President!"
"Oh, now that woman with the big bow on her hat is going to sing a pretty song."
"Shhh. We have to be quiet now. That man has something very important to say."
"Everybody's standing! Let's stand up!"
"Ok, now he's placing his hand on a special book and promising he'll do his best at being President."
She got into it, as much as a 2 1/2 year old can.
It wasn't until an hour later, when I was helping in her in the bathroom - of all things - that I realized that in twenty years, this is really going to mean something to her. That when she becomes an adult, she will be glad to be able to say that she was there for this moment in American History and she saw it, even if her memories of it fade, she'll always have that knowledge.
I almost wish I could have gone to Washington, but I can't think of a better way to share this moment than to share it with that little girl.
In other news: Obama's "I won" comment reminds me of this quip from The West Wing where Pres. Bartlet is preparing for the debate against his Republican challenger for re-election:
"So, Mr. President, why did you nominate so-and-so?"
"Bite me."
"Sir, we need to provide a real answer."
"Why can't I go with 'Bite me'?"
"Because, sir, we'd lose."
"Not in New Jersey!"
I was working today, and the 2 1/2 year old girl I nanny for distinctly didn't want to nap at noon, so I told her we were going to watch the new President. I explained the inauguration as best I could to a two year old:
"Look! Everybody is so happy to have a new President!"
"Oh, now that woman with the big bow on her hat is going to sing a pretty song."
"Shhh. We have to be quiet now. That man has something very important to say."
"Everybody's standing! Let's stand up!"
"Ok, now he's placing his hand on a special book and promising he'll do his best at being President."
She got into it, as much as a 2 1/2 year old can.
It wasn't until an hour later, when I was helping in her in the bathroom - of all things - that I realized that in twenty years, this is really going to mean something to her. That when she becomes an adult, she will be glad to be able to say that she was there for this moment in American History and she saw it, even if her memories of it fade, she'll always have that knowledge.
I almost wish I could have gone to Washington, but I can't think of a better way to share this moment than to share it with that little girl.
In other news: Obama's "I won" comment reminds me of this quip from The West Wing where Pres. Bartlet is preparing for the debate against his Republican challenger for re-election:
"So, Mr. President, why did you nominate so-and-so?"
"Bite me."
"Sir, we need to provide a real answer."
"Why can't I go with 'Bite me'?"
"Because, sir, we'd lose."
"Not in New Jersey!"