One-Man Band

Now I know how to describe how I feel as a dad when I'm home playing with the kids, like a one-man band. The poor soul who plays a one-man band has to somehow focus every limb on a separate task, while walking and blowing into a horn. I feel the same way. For example, the kids were wrestling with me today, but each was playing a different game. So, with one hand I would hold my daughter who loves to stand on my chest, while with the other hand I was swinging a couch cushion at my son who was practicing his karate punches. With my legs, I bounced the baby, who kept crawling around on my tummy and legs. The girls also used my sides and legs as slides. Of course, with my mouth I was laughing, grunting from being stepped on, and encouraging my son's punches, all at the same time. Pretty good. I guess instead of a one-man band, it is more accurate to call me a one-man play ground.

*This analogy wouldn't work for my wife unless you called it a one-woman symphony orchestra playing all day long and several evenings too.