Upstairs. Bath water still running. “Want to play mermaids in the tub?” she says. Sure. Then the voice downstairs, “Dad! The game’s on!”
Back down the stairs. “Look Dad, Michigan’s winning!” I look. She’s right!
The voice upstairs, “Daaaad, mermaids?!”
Back up the stairs. “You be Ariel,” she says. I kneel down beside the tub. Sure. Then the voice downstairs, “Whoo hoo! Dad, come watch!”
Back down the stairs. “Dad, look now!” Wow! I put my hands on her shoulders, take a moment to stand behind her chair and watch with her.
The voice upstairs. “Daaaddy! I need a cup! Can you get me a cup?!”
Back up the stairs. “Here you go, this one should work, honey.” I kneel down. Then the voice downstairs. “Dad, commercial’s over!”
Back down the stairs. Back up the stairs. Back down the stairs. Back up the stairs.
Parenting: Who knew? I feel so fortunate. And maybe tired.
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Author: Lanny Ball
For more than 29 years, Lanny has taught, coached, presented, staff developed, and consulted within the exciting and enigmatic world of literacy. With unyielding passion and belief in the possibility of workshop teaching, Lanny has worked to support students, teachers, and school administrators around the country in outgrowing themselves as both writers and readers. Working first as a classroom teacher, then as a coach and TCRWP Staff Developer, Lanny is now a literacy specialist, working and living in the great state of Connecticut. Outside of literacy, he enjoys raising his three ambitious young daughters with his wife, and playing the piano. Find him on this blog, as well as on Twitter @LannyBall. Lanny is also a former co-author of a blog dedicated to supporting writing teachers and coaches that maintain classroom writing workshops, twowritingteachers.org.
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LANNY BALL, Literacy Specialist 
Well you don’t need a gym membership! Seriously though, it’s so hard to be fully present for both/all our kids. Great effort!
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I love this! The short dialog created a rhythm to your “exercise”. As a rabid sports fan and father of young people who need baths, I empathized with the pull of both things, and you kept me as a reader right there with you.
Good luck to your Blue!
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Ha! Thank you. Duke is actually my team and just about caused heart failure last night!
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Your parenting book could be entitled “Upstairs, Downstairs.”
Responding to your girls’ needs as they require you to, that’s parenting (and exercise)!
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Yep, workout done for the day! I would have given up after the second or third trip, I think…
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This slice reminded me of an exercise we did in our writing workshop about rythm. You accomplished it very well. I could see you dribbling in both courts.
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I have Michigan winning. I want to cheer for the team I like! Great slice of a moment in parenting!
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Ha! The endless tension and push and pull of parenting. For sure it’s those moments when you feel like you just need a break that they need you the most. Tough to have the discipline to give your kids what they need at all times, but it sounds like you’re doing it right. Keep writing!
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What a sweet slice! What lucky girls you have to keep you running like this!
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What a fun, energetic post. I seriously was tired just from reading how many times you went upstairs just to go back downstairs. I love that your girls just want dad’s attention, and you were willing to give it – – to BOTH of them! What a great dad and lucky girls.
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