Thomas the Tank is my Homeboy.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Thomas the Tank Engine is my homeboy and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

I’ll let you in on a working mom’s dirty little secret- TV is our friend.

Sometimes our best friend.

I know what you’re thinking, and I’d think it too. I also thought I’d make my baby’s organic food from scratch. Then I had twins. You can BUY organic baby food.

So here I am working at this awesome little Web 2.0 business referral networking start-up, Inquisix (really, you should check us out if you’re a small business owner, sales person or connector. Honest.)  I have a pretty great job but like with all things I wear a lot of hats. At a startup we all do.

"We connect businesses to MORE business"

In addition to being the head of Marketing I also happen to be chief concierge, triage nurse, umpire, chef, social secretary, health department, party planner, stylist, educator, trainer, chauffeur and head-supreme cuddler to three super-cute kiddos (one set of six-year old twins and one two-year old who thinks he’s six) and one Golden Retriever named Ginger-Girl. I love all four desperately but I’ve chosen to  also pursue outlets outside of my family to preserve my sanity, intellect and creativity (though some argue Shrinky Dinks are creative, I say no.)

I should also note that I am a glutton for punishment.

So it’s no great stretch to say my cup runneth over, which it does and often spills everywhere. I don’t plan it that way, it just happens. In fact, I pride myself on being super efficient. One doesn’t have multiples and not get inefficiency beaten out of them. The best laid plans get blown to hell when it’s a snow day.

So in a pinch, I just find ways to make it work. And if necessity is the mother of invention, this mamma invents. Quite a few phone meetings are done while feeding the baby cookie-after-cookie to keep him quiet, or creating syssiphisian tasks involving emptying and filling the same laundry baskets over and over, and art projects involving the almighty Froot Loops (keeps little mouths AND hands busy!)

But when I’m really desperate, I’ve turned to TV.  Though I’m not proud of it but if something absolutely had to get out the door, Thomas the Tank Engine got opened up. 

I heart them all-  Thomas, Henry, Percy, Gordon, Edward, James, Salty, Bertie, Emily, Molly, Harold the Helicopter, Sir Topham Hatt right down to the stinky Diesels and Troublesome Trucks. They have all saved my skin on a few choice occasions.

So, if any other working mom tells you they don’t use TV as even an emergency babysitter, they are flat-out lying. Or have full-time super-nanny style help. Even on my off days I throw on Word Girl (awesome show, the best intro song ever) while I’m making dinner for the entire trio. Most moms do that.

Word Girl and Captain Huggy Face

I do have standards. I pretty much stick to PBS Kids Go! and sometimes Noggin. Rarely Disney (excepts occasional Little Einsteins) and Cartoon Network (though I DVR Star Wars: Clone Wars for special “movie treats.”) Both seem either one giant commercial or they have a ton of commercials for crappy toys that leaves the kids whining, which defeats the purpose.  I learned the secret to using TV as babysitter from a friend years ago. She’d deny her kids TV except when she was going out, they were so excited to watch TV they forget to get all hysterical and teary.

The real trick is deny them until you really need it. That’s why it’s a DEFCON 4 or 5 in my book if I’m turning it on during the day.

If your not a parent and made it this far, I thank you. If you are one, you’re probably laughing and nodding in agreement. You start off a parent with the best of intentions, the best of plans, you read everybook, buy everything new, disinfect the cat… but  like the arrival of an unexpected snow day, you learn to adjust the plan. You have to.