Pedicures, Pick-Ups, Panicking – oh my!

When I told you about getting a pedicure last week, I didn’t exactly tell you everything that happened that evening. In the spirit of Paul Harvey, this is . . . . . The Rest of the Story.

My mom is a teacher and loves spending extra time with Annalyn during her summer break. This summer more than others, since I started working part-time, I’ve been thankful for this win-win arrangement. My parents get their special granddaughter time, my daughter is taken care of by people who love her more than anyone other than Mark and me, and I have reliable (and free!) childcare.

It’s really worked out perfectly. Until last week.

The week before, my mom had said she needed to change when I picked up Annalyn. Looking back, I feel like we talked about it in passing but never really solidified the change in plans. Unfortunately, that means that while my mom believed we had definitely agreed on a new plan for the last few weeks of summer, I promptly forgot about the entire conversation.

I had no idea my parents were expecting me to pick up Annalyn after work. I thought she was spending the night at their house.

Because I didn’t think I had anywhere to be, I stayed at work an extra hour and then headed home. I printed off a coupon for a Mexican restaurant we’d never tried, and asked Mark if he’d like to go to [a quiet, kid-free] dinner with me. While he got ready, I noticed that my phone’s battery was on its last leg, so I plugged it into the wall.

Halfway to the restaurant, I realized I’d left my phone sitting on the kitchen counter, charging. Oh well, I thought. No big deal.

Mark and I ate a leisurely (though disappointing, so I’m glad we had a coupon) dinner. And then, because I didn’t have anywhere to be, I decided to go get my nails painted.

Nearly three hours after leaving my house, I returned and picked up my now-fully-charged phone. My phone that had not-quite-frantic text messages and voice mails from my mom: “Where are you? Are you on your way? We’re getting worried. It’s really hot outside, so I’m hoping you aren’t having car trouble. Call me, please!”

I felt terrible. Not only had I not picked up my child when I was supposed to, but I’d worried my parents and probably my daughter all the while getting pampered with a pedicure!

Where’s that Mom of the Year application? I need to add this story for sure!

I never (rarely) forget my phone at home!
I never (rarely) get a pedicure!

So to do both in one night, neglect my child and worry my parents? OHHHHHHHHHHH, I felt bad.

Since I’m typically pretty responsible – and having a tag-along for the day’s errands and chores isn’t that bad when the tag-along is your favorite (okay, only) granddaughter – my mom didn’t seem to be mad. Mostly, she’d just been worried. The day this happened was super-hot, and I suppose it’s quite possible my phone could have gone unanswered because I was broiling on the side of the road instead of getting my calves massaged.

Really, given my history and habits (and recent car trouble, actually), the side-of-the-road broiling is a much more likely scenario! Especially when the person imagining what could possibly be keeping me is my mother.

I don’t mean that my mom overreacts or always assumes the worst case. I mean that’s what all moms do.

If only my mom and I had Verizon Family Locator. Actually, as I am an adult, I don’t necessarily want my mom checking on my every move. [Though, to my point, it would have been helpful for her to see that I was sitting in Chloe Nail Salon, not stranded on I-70.] But as a mom who will soon have a kiddo old enough to get around town without me, I love that technology can help me keep track of her!

You might not ever panic unnecessarily or find yourself wondering, “Am I paranoid? No. Wait, am I? Could this really happen?” But based on my own experience as a mom and many conversations with friends who are moms, I’d wager that most of us find ourselves imagining side-of-the-road disasters more than we’d like.

After watching another news story or reading another mystery novel, I’ve even been known to say, “What’s wrong with microchipping our children? Really!”

Not really. I mean, yes, I have said this. But I am not actually suggesting or endorsing the microchipping of children. Or stalking people in general. Come on. But using an app [like Verizon Family Locator, ahem!] to check on the location of my family members’ phones or get arrival/departure updates or directions to their locations? That would be awesome!

This post is sponsored by Verizon Wireless, and it’s also offering you a free 30-day trial of the Verizon Family Locator right now. (The regular price is $9.99/month.) To learn more, and to download the free trial, visit www.vzw.com/familylocator.

Have you ever forgotten to pick up your child? [Please tell me you have.]