People laugh when they see me counting my children in public. It may even go so far as to perpetuate some of the negative stereotypes many have of men as bungling and inept fathers. Guys seemingly overwhelmed at the prospect of having to actually spend time with their children. I don't really care what they think. One of my assigned daily jobs is loss prevention. I'm charged the lives of five wonderful children and my goal each day is to see to it that five wonderful children are safely tucked into their beds at night.

However, I would like to offer that my obsession with counting my children does have it's benefits. Advantages if you will. I was reminded yesterday of Zander's first haircut. As is the norm, all five kids and I had piled into the van and headed off to Cookie Cutter Kids. This place is fantastic! As soon as you walk into the door you are greeted my an enormous indoor slide and climbing apparatus. My kids went berserk!

In the back, where the actual work takes place, kids get to choose from a variety of seats (airplane, race car, helicopter, motorcycle, etc.) all facing their very own video screen. These people have it down to an art. The kid is totally at ease and could care less what you are doing to their hair. And as a bonus, you are not so torn between standing at your child's side and having to coral the others because they are equally as entertained. All the way around my kids love going to get their hair cut.

Haircut having been completed I began the task of rounding up the kids. "Let's go troops!" I said motioning towards the door and the kids, for the most part, gathered and began to file out. I say for the most part because it's a little bit like herding cats. As we start to make our way across the parking lot to the van I begin, "One, two, three, four, five, six?....Hey, wait a minute! You're not mine."

Seems my tone may have been a bit commanding when gathering the troops and this one scared but obedient little boy filed right in with my kids. I quickly ushered him back into the store to his parents (yeah, plural) who had not even missed him. So, yeah, I count my kids. It has it's advantages.

Posted with permission from Zoes Dad

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