Kids as stress relief?

Parenting comes with its set of stereotypes that are both true and exaggerated. We're seen as stressed-out, haggard, sleep-deprived, puke-covered zombies in countless movies and TV shows. Is there truth to that image? Sure. We've resembled all four of those adjectives over the past four years. What I think is less represented however, is when your kids help you blow off steam.

My workdays are frequently stress-filled, as most of ours are. My hour-plus commute doesn't help much and by the time I get home, I'm not in the best mood. I've exhausted my share of expletives. My eyes are bloodshot. The whole bit. Mr. Cliched Commuter.

The cool thing is, I've got instant therapy waiting for me. I get to walk in the door, drop my shit and do any of a hundred ridiculous things that both entertain my kids and help me forget about work. I can hang from the monkey bars outside. I can let Peter jump on my stomach. I can let Vincent jump on my back (looks and sounds more painful than it is). I can pretend I'm a dog. I can pretend to have "sick-ups" on Vincent. I can walk right into the bathtub in my work clothes as the boys are taking a bath (anything for a laugh). I can make up a whole box set worth of kids songs. I can try to do a somersault (or not so much).

By the time bedtime rolls around, work is a distant memory and we're all ready to collapse. There's gotta be science out there proving this. Kids as medication. Hell - some of you have probably read studies you smarty pants. I'm just calling 'em like I see 'em. I may be a zombie by 8:30, but at least I'm a happy zombie.