How to Tame an Extraterrestrial Monster

The Ladd family got bamboozled with the stomach bug on Monday. I got it first, and Chris got it the worst. I picked Lifa up early from school and promptly declared the house a state of emergency. Chris didn’t even get out of bed until 6pm - right before Benjamin’s bedtime. 

Everyone is standing, eating and funcitonal today, but Benjamin has a serious deficit in his daddy love tank after a busy Sunday and sick Monday. 

Today, Jammer lost his eva-lovin’ mind while we were out running errands. LOST IT. One minute, his adorable two-word sentences were chattering about his daddy. “Help Daddy.” “Daddy wa-wa.” (He wanted to tell his dad about the water at the park… obvs.) And then, “Daddy home.” I explained to him that his dad was not at home, He was working at church. and would come home later. 

The very next minute, my sweet little angel-baby became an extraterrestrial monster-beast. Blood curdling screams resounded through my Subaru on repeat. I had no idea what to do while driving and was 70% sure my skull was cracking. 

Finally, wisdom that must have come from heaven broke through the sound barrier, and I quickly changed my route. I realized my little monster-baby was at the end of being able to manage his daddy deficit. 

I told him we were going to see Daddy at church. The screaming stopped, and the sentences began. He started rehearsing everything he would tell him. We walked in to find Chris leading an important meeting. I plopped Benjamin into his arms. He squeezed his son tight and carried on. 

I stood to the side and watched Benjamin relax in his arms, leaning into the sound of his daddy’s voice. After a few minutes, Benjamin peeped over Chris’ shoulder and beamed at me. His face said it all, “Look, I’ve got him. And he’s got me.”

The wiggles took over, and I took him back from Chris. Benjamin kissed me again and again, right on the lips. He was so happy, so seen, so loved, so full. 

We all get a little extraterrestrial when our love tank is empty. Most of the time it really is a Daddy deficit. The next time I feel like screaming on repeat, I’m going to remember this sacred moment. I’ll change my route, no matter where I’m going, and do what I have to do to remember, “I’ve got Him, and He’s got me.” I will relax into His arms, and lean into the sound of my heavenly Father’s voice.