Murphy's Laws for Moms

Why is it that when I pull out my vacuum, my children seem to not comprehend its purpose? It's not as though I never use it. On the contrary, it's highly used to clean up...after them. Is it the fact that this creature of cleaning isn't as exciting as the physical act of making the disasters for which it's needed? Is the vacuum really a mythical being that only comes out in fairy tales of clean homes and well-behaved children? Whatever the reason, the vacuum's existence and purpose is continually unknown by my children. Then, I remember, the last time I actually had a clean house was before I had kids. So, maybe the act of it actually helping me clean is truly the myth.

I try to keep my children occupied throughout the day - especially my three-year-old.  After all, I've learned, a busy child is one who is most likely not getting into things he (or she) should not be getting into.  However, every parent has those moments where you just have to step away.  Maybe it's to answer a knock at the door or a ringing phone.  Perhaps you need to make a meal.  Or, God forbid, you just have to go to the bathroom. This was my mistake.  Why did I think that I could simply go to the bathroom?  It wasn't as though I was leaving my child unattended.  We were in our own home and, not to toot my own horn I was having an exceptionally awesome parenting day.  We had spent the morning reading books and playing with trains.  Not once had my child had to entertain himself with the TV or other form of technology.  I might have required a cup (or three) too many of coffee, but I was on top of my game. And yet, I desperate...