By LIA SPENCER
What do you do when blankie goes missing, or when your child loses their favourite toy?
What happens when you need to sneak that disgusting, ratty teddy and wash away all its festy germs?
After speaking with a few of my friends, I’ve come to realise this is a common concern shared by many parents.
I never planned on giving Isla a particular blanket or toy when she went to sleep, but she quickly got attached to a stuffed elephant I gave her on the day she was baptised.
I never expected the amount of panic her beloved Ellie would bring us.
Once, when heading to a friend’s for an overnight stay, we lost Ellie in the final stages of packing and I dreaded having to put Isla to bed without her best friend. Another time, Ellie accidently got sent home with another child at childcare. Fortunately, Isla was so tired both times that it she didn’t mind when another stuffed animal took Ellie’s place.
Another dilemma those stuffed toys cause it finding the time to wash them.
I usually wash and dry it after Isla’s mid arvo nap so it’s dry before bedtime.
The first time I washed Ellie, along with her other teddies, Isla stood at the backdoor, her face pressed against the window patiently waiting for the toys to come in off the line.
But this weekend, wash time took a turn for the worse.
Isla loves helping me clean lately, and gets really excited when she gets to put the clothes in the front loader and push the start button.
So she was excited when I asked her if she would like to help me give Ellie a shower.
She happily stuck Ellie in the washing machine, closed the dispenser and pressed start.
She giggled with glee when the machine started, but panic set in when water started pouring in.
She grabbed at the door and tried desperately to pry it open.
“Stuck, stuck,“ she said over and over again, faster and louder as the water poured in.
When I realised she was on the verge of tears I tried to reassure her that Ellie liked getting washed and it would be over soon (however, I accidently stuck it on the 50 minute cycle instead of the quickwash).
But the floodgates opened when Ellie, in clear view, was lying face down in a pool of water.
I tried to hug Isla and calm her down, but it was to no avail.
“Towel, towel,“ she said, hoping we could get Ellie out of the ‘shower’ and dry it off.
My only solution to cure her meltdown was a lollipop.
It coaxed her out of the laundry room and back to her toys.
We survived the next few hours without Ellie, but I have learned a few valuable lessons:
1. Try to buy two of your child’s favourite toys (I tried to find another one, but haven’t been able to.
2. Never let your children know when you are washing their favourite toys.
3. Sugar cures almost everything.
