Yesterday was one of those days… You know the kind. The kind that makes you question every parenting “technique” you’ve ever used. The kind that has you considering parenting techniques you’ve said you’d never use.

The results of having four under four cooped up for a week were rearing their ugly heads. There was bickering. Fussiness. I-don’t-want-to-take-that-medicineness. Refusals to nap. A need for a nap (me!) You get the idea. It was ugly.

Factor in the fact that I haven’t been to the store in ages. More agitation. Breakfast foods they wanted didn’t exist and lunch ended up being merely PB&J with pretzels. At least it was whole grain bread. We’re healthy around here, you know.

Anyway, by the time 11 p.m. rolled around, I was ready to lose it. I had already snapped and screamed into my pillow earlier in the day… (yes, another proud parenting moment). My darling husband knew I needed a break, so I took the advice of a friend from church, Mrs. D. She told me that when she needs to get away, she goes to “The Bahamas,” which is really just her code for a bubble bath, uninterrupted. And boy, were the beaches calling my name!

The first two minutes were perfect. The water temperature was just right, the bubbles were bubbly. A few seconds later, I heard the dreaded sound that every mother hates. The door knob wiggled! ACK! The kids “needed” in. Nate shooed them away.

I tried to relax again, but as I tried to get comfortable, I found myself starting to wish I had a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser handy… just to scrub those thousands few spots that needed it. It’s been awhile since I’ve really tackled the tub. (I have four kids under four and another on the way, remember?!)

The door knob wiggled again and this time was followed by a “Mom, I have to go!” Now, Brady knows we have a second bathroom… in the basement… that’s sorta cinder-blocky and campish — atiny bit scary if you’re little. Apparently, that wasn’t good enough.

Nate tried to keep the kids away, but it was no use. Less than five minutes and my trip to the Bahamas came to a abrupt end. It’s OK, though… It was kinda dirty there anyway.