I have taken some chances in my lifetime. I have driven too fast. I once mouthed off to a 305-pound All-American defensive lineman. I even bungee jumped. \tBut nothing compared to the situation I put myself in a couple of weeks ago.<\/p>\n
I volunteered at my daughter\u2019s preschool. For two and a half hours, I found myself at the mercy of 14 4- and 5-year-olds.<\/p>\n
Bridget could not wait. She had waited all year for me to find a time that fit into my schedule. I actually could have done it earlier in the year, but just didn\u2019t take the time.<\/p>\n
Maria had actually volunteered several times already this year. After each time, she said the same thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait until you have your turn.\u201d<\/p>\n
I always sensed a sadistic tone to her voice when she said that. How bad could these kids be? I\u2019m bigger than they are. I can take them.<\/p>\n
I thought that until I got into the room. Stack them on top of each other, and I\u2019m dead meat.<\/p>\n
I had a plan to make them my friend. A plan to get me on their good side. A plan to keep them so unfocused that they could never hone in on my weaknesses.<\/p>\n
But my wife wouldn\u2019t let me bring Mountain Dew and Krispy Kreme for the snack. I had to bring animal crackers and milk. How boring is that?<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t stand a chance. They would peg me for just another sucker sentenced to 150 minutes under their spell.<\/p>\n
The funny thing is, none of that happened. Not one kid cried. Not one kid threw a fit. Not one kid threatened to punch me in the knee.<\/p>\n
I actually had a good time. I did need a beer when we got pizza for lunch, but I pretty much expected that.<\/p>\n
After surviving that death-defying stunt, I waited just one more week before facing another big hurdle. This time, I had Maria by my side.<\/p>\n
We used our first non-family babysitter.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know what took us this long. We have spent some time away from Bridget, but my mother-in-law has generally taken her when we needed a break.<\/p>\n
Luckily, a teenager up the street could sit with Bridget while Maria and I headed to York to see a comedy show. We were a little nervous as we headed across Route 116.<\/p>\n
By the time we parked the car, most of my fears had disappeared. Everything would be fine, I told myself. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket to put it in silent mode as we headed towards our seats.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne missed call,\u201d the screen read. My heart sank. I pressed a button and another message appeared. \u201cOne voice message.\u201d<\/p>\n
My mind raced as I waited for the message. Had something bad happened? Was Bridget crying for us? Had she tied up the babysitter and wanted to give her ransom demands?<\/p>\n
I let out a sigh of relief when I heard the voice of my friend Marcel taunting me from the tailgate prior to a soccer game in D.C.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know why I worried. If Bridget could survive preschool three days a week without us, why would she miss us for a few hours on a Saturday night?<\/p>\n
She\u2019s much better at this taking chances thing than I\u2019ll ever be. I just hope she has more sense than to bungee jump.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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