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Let's Panic: The Book!

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How to Endure and Possibly Triumph Over the Adorable Tyrant
who Will Ruin Your Body, Destroy Your Life, Liquefy Your Brain,
and Finally Turn You
into a Worthwhile
Human Being.

Written by Alice Bradley and Eden Kennedy

Some Books
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Sleep Is
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Chicago Review Press

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Let's Panic

The site that inspired the book!

At LET'S PANIC ABOUT BABIES, Eden Kennedy and I share our hard-won wisdom and tell you exactly what to think and feel and do, whether you're about to have a baby or already did and don't know what to do with it.

Lets-Panic.com → 

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Monday
May162005

I just have to figure out how he printed this.

I found the following tucked away in a corner of Henry's crib. I am so onto him.

 


Date: April 1, 2005

To: Child 4A0765B-1007@children.com, toddler_unit@children.com

From: Kevin, VP, Toddler Division

Subject: Quarterly Objectives

Happy new year, company members! As you know, our first quarter was a fruitful and productive one. By working together to delay our bedtimes, we acquired over 53,000 extra hours of valuable awake time. That’s 53,000 more hours of running in circles. 53,000 more hours of shaking our heads wildly and arching our backs. 53,000 more hours of the Parents straining to communicate that toothbrushes do not go in the diaper. We have seen the Parents falter and ultimately give way under our consistent efforts, and we are proud.

It should be mentioned that some of our members have made great strides in drastically limiting the variety of foodstuffs they allow to enter their face-holes. We are thinking especially of Child 3A0762C-0908, who now ingests only raisins and lukewarm water sipped from a plastic spork; Child 5B0755F-0528: ketchup on crackers and the occasional mashed grape; and, most breathtakingly, Child 8A0576L-0108: plain dried breadcrumbs licked off a moistened index finger.

For the second quarter of 2005, we’ve strengthened our resolve and shown what a little determination and a lot of screeching can accomplish. And we are ready for the next phase: Operation No-Pants.

Every morning without failing, the Caregivers initiate a dressing procedure that is tiresome at best and scratchy at worst. It distracts us from our viewing of Elmo and limits our access to our smooth smooth skin. Their motives are puzzling: either they are jealous of our smooth smooth skin or else are attempting to break our wills by imposing nonsensical rules and demanding that we comply. But they will not succeed, friends. Because we will resist.

So: no matter how sopping wet or poop-crammed your diaper is, refuse to let Caregiver remove it. Declare that diaper to be your FAVORITE DIAPER. Do not allow any larger beings to lay a finger on it. For motivation, imagine that said diaper is part of your body, like a real tushie over your tushie. If any attempt is made to remove it, you will scream. Remember: the Scream is your friend. Caregivers live in fear of the Scream. If you add to the Scream “No hit! No hit!” they’re sure to back away for fear of the authorities coming after them.

Once a clean diaper is on very little can stop them from dressing you. The soiled diaper is your last and best hope.

Now that you’ve mastered toddler-ese, use it! Declare your opinions at each and every turn, and make sure that they are as vague and baffling as your pronunciation. If Caregiver explains that dressing is a vital step in a traveling-to-playground initiative, screech, “Murfy! TOO MURFY!” Do not explain. Never explain.

But why do we resist, you ask? Why not get dressed and enter the playground, where fun could possibly had? Because, that’s why. Because because because. Because we must take every stand we are able to take. Also! Because Caregiver is deceiving you. There is another, better playground, a Naked Playground, with balloons and ice cream and cake. The soiled diaper will lead the way. This is true, we think.

Onward!

Kevin

 

Reader Comments (81)

Oh, my dear, dear God. God above, that is unspeakably hilarious. CRYING. Tears of JOY.
August 10, 2005 | Unregistered CommenterTina
Oh god. We're there, and she's only just turned one! Who sent out the memo early?! hee hee hee!
August 11, 2005 | Unregistered CommenterMel
As I'm about to have a child of my own, I found this "memo" particularly fascinating. It should be copied and forwarded to all parents of toddlers and all future-parents. We have to stay one step ahead!
August 12, 2005 | Unregistered CommenterAmanda
Hilarious!
August 17, 2005 | Unregistered CommenterFoxforcefive
Perfect!! I was wondering why Jacob was hiding that letter from me- and always hogging the computer! I see Jake is following suit with the memo and has also taken the ROLL! ROLL! ROLL! method when it comes to diaper changes!!
September 28, 2005 | Unregistered CommenterKelly
OMG. Do you know how long it's been since I've truly laughed so hard I cried. DO YOU KNOW? I am now wondering if I'm pregnant or something. Of course while reading it, laughing, and crying, my five year old walks in and coyly asks "what is it, mommy" like he doesn't KNOW. All my 3 yr old's behavior makes so much sense now. Is it wrong that I am comforted to know he's actually following SOMEONE's rules instead of just being, say, possessed?
December 17, 2005 | Unregistered CommenterSeoulMom

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