Rules of Parenting

Here are a few "rules" of parenting that I have decided/discovered over time:

1. The magic rule of three: I will only pick up the tossed sippy cup/toy/spoon/etc. three times, after the third time of returning all of the clothes to the drawer I no longer care if the clothes are folded, on the third day of returning all of the clothes to the drawer multiple times I no longer care if the clothes are sorted at all.
2. I can usually find all but one shoe (in my case that means 5 out of 6 shoes).
3. A child will poop right before you have to head out the door on a day where you are running late.
4. You must always check the diaper bag and if you leave the diaper bag in the car it is safer to bring extra just in case (which is why I usually have WAY too many diapers because I am always carrying extra out to the car).
5. Your children behave better for other people because they know you too well.
6. It doesn't matter how many (or how few) children you have because you will always get the comment "you have your hands full" (even got this once with just Josie when she was not even walking yet).
7. The favorite shirt/socks/pants will always be in the laundry the day that it would be really helpful to have so that your child would cheerfully find something to wear.
8. An amazing number of places (even places that have kids menus) don't have changing tables because they apparently figure you will just sequester yourself in your house for the first 2 to 4 years of a child's life. (The good news is that it is possible to do a diaper change with the child standing up if your child isn't too wiggly).
   
9. For some strange reason complete strangers will hold the door open for a three year old who is obviously more than 6 feet in front of any associated adult
10. The day you most need everyone to nap is the day that either no one will or they will nap in tandem so that there is always someone awake.