Updated: Oct. 24, 2023
Originally Published: Oct. 24, 2023
It was just another hectic day in my lively home. My one-year-old was battling an ear infection, while my three-year-old had been resisting his nap with an impressive tenacity. While I was at work, my nanny kept me updated through text messages. She informed me that my oldest had actually managed to sleep for an uninterrupted two hours. I couldn’t help but respond with an enthusiastic “AWESOME!!!” complete with an array of clapping emojis. This was fantastic news.
However, the real surprise awaited me upon my return.
Around 6 PM, I was greeted by my thrilled toddler, who exclaimed, “Mommy, mommy…come here, I want to show you something!” Meanwhile, my nanny’s expression was one of sheer panic, as if she bore a heavy burden. When I inquired about what had transpired, she merely shook her head, signaling that I was about to witness something beyond comprehension. My heart raced as I entered his room, bracing myself for the unknown.
To provide some context, we had only moved into our new home three weeks prior. My son’s room had recently been painted, fitted with new carpet, and adorned with a stylish Ikea dresser and an exciting big boy bed, complete with a slide. In my eyes, it was a Pinterest-worthy sanctuary, perfectly coordinated and new. But as I stepped inside, I was met with what could only be described as a monumental disaster.
Black marker was everywhere. He had meticulously doodled on his bed, walls, carpet, toy chest, curtains, dresser, and even his nightlight. No surface was spared from his creative outburst. The once pristine white bed, which had been newly purchased, was now nearly unrecognizable. My husband and I often reflect on the remarkable level of concentration he displayed during this two-hour escapade.
At that moment, I was at a loss for words. Anger and confusion swirled within me as I struggled to determine the best way to address the situation. Should I yell? How could I convey the severity of his actions? Yet, when I looked into his eyes, I noticed his overwhelming pride in his handiwork. He genuinely believed I would be impressed. Taking a deep breath, I calmly stated, “This is not okay. We do not draw on our walls or bed. I need you to help me clean this up.”
While he dashed off to grab paper towels, I feverishly searched online for tips on removing marker stains. I snapped a few photos to send to my husband, as mere words wouldn’t do the chaos justice. I even called my mom, who, after laughing at my plight, shared some helpful advice. She suggested using nail polish remover and hairspray for the clean-up. I decided to start there. Although the nail polish remover proved effective, it also began to strip away the new paint. Well, I figured it was a lesser evil.
My son dutifully handed me paper towels as he attempted to scrub the marker off his slide. He then remarked, “Mom, this is hard.” I let him scrub for another half-hour before realizing the fumes were starting to make me dizzy, so I suggested he step outside for a while.
What did I take away from this experience? First, if you decide to hire movers, make sure they don’t stow away any mystery boxes in your child’s closet—especially those containing black Sharpies. Oops! More importantly, I realized I didn’t need to resort to yelling to make my point. I had certainly felt the urge, and there had been times in the past when I did raise my voice. But in that moment, I chose to collect my thoughts instead. I recognized that my son hadn’t acted out of malice; he genuinely thought I would appreciate his artistry.
Though he sensed my frustration, involving him in the cleaning process and calmly expressing my feelings seemed to resonate more effectively with him. I was thankful for that.
You may wonder if I managed to remove all traces of the Sharpie. The answer is no. I estimate we’ve reached a solid 75% removal and I’m uncertain if we’ll make any further progress. Hours of work have left me fatigued, and I ponder whether he truly deserves a room restored to its pre-marker glory. After all, he literally made this bed (with black marker), so perhaps he should lie in it until I can trust him with a paintbrush again.
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Summary:
A relatable tale of a chaotic household takes a humorous turn when a toddler’s artistic ambition leads to a permanent marker disaster. The author shares insights on parenting, patience, and the importance of communication during challenging moments. Lessons learned from the experience highlight the emotional complexities of parenting and the importance of calm responses over anger.
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