What This Mom Truly Needs: Oh Toodles!

Hot dog! Hot dog! Hot diggity dog! With the arrival of our beloved cartoon pals, it’s time for a little celebration. But oh, how I currently dread the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! We don’t watch much TV, but when the clock strikes 5 p.m. and I’m attempting to whip up dinner while my kids are seemingly trying to climb into my very being, I resort to the screen. It’s what I like to call “witching hour survival mode.”

In our household, the only acceptable show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It’s like toddler candy. I’ll put it on just to snag an extra ten minutes for my coffee. And when I return with my steaming cup, I can’t help but chuckle at my kids, who look like they’ve just come from a psychedelic festival—one is pantless, while the other has hair resembling cotton candy, and both are blissfully unaware of their little accidents. Yet, they’re so happy!

If you want to keep the little ones content, you know you must put on Mickey.

“Want to watch Thomas?”
“Nope, I’ll take Mickey.”
“How about Nemo?”
“No thanks, I’ll watch Mickey.”
“Or Elmo?”
“Mickey.”

For those few out there who haven’t seen Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, let me fill you in: it’s baby’s first introduction to classic sitcom characters. Mickey and Minnie are like that couple you’ve known since high school, always posting their hiking and apple-picking adventures. Donald is the goofy friend who might not be the brightest. Daisy is the quintessential attractive girl, while Goofy is that random person at events who you’re not sure how he got there. Seriously, he’s a dog with a pet dog—anyone else find that odd?

But the character that truly deserves a moment in the spotlight is Toodles. This whimsical robot provides whatever assistance they might need at any moment. Need a bicycle pump? Toodles has it. An extra car seat? No problem. A mystery tool to improve your day? Yes, please! All they have to do is shout, “Oh Toodles!” to summon this magical service.

Now, you might be wondering why I’m analyzing a children’s show and its robotic sidekick. Fair point. Perhaps it’s because it’s currently 4 a.m., and my toddlers think it’s party time. Or maybe it’s because instead of changing them, Dad brought them into bed and plopped them on top of me—having no idea they were in need of a change. Spoiler alert: I found out the hard way.

Welcome to my world—where 4 a.m. feels like the cruelest hour, a time meant for sleep. My kids, however, have different opinions on that matter.

In my sleep-deprived haze, I started thinking of all the moments this week when I could have used Toodles to tackle my #momproblems. Here are a few instances when Toodles could have saved the day:

1. Post-Work Parking Lot Drama

After a long day, I find myself in a pitch-black parking lot in the New England winter chill. My fingers are so cold I’m pretty sure they’ve frozen solid. I reach for the ice scraper but remember I left it in the mudroom after my toddler carried it around yesterday. Ugh! Ohhhh Toodles! Can you drop off an ice scraper? I’m resorting to using my son’s snack cup to de-ice my windshield!

2. Unexpected Accidents

Ohhhh Toodles! I need a fresh pair of pants, stat! That surprise sneeze got the better of me, and I’m out of emergency Jeep pants. Help a mom out!

3. Endless Toddler Messes

Ohhhh Toodles! Time for the hose!

4. Out and About with Toddlers

Ohhhh Toodles! They run like they’re in a race, but in opposite directions! Bring me a lasso, a large coffee, unlimited cleaning supplies, and maybe a Xanax, please.

5. Every Moment, All Day

Ohhhh Toodles! Can you get me a time-freeze gun? I’d love to hold onto this moment forever—chaos and all.

In the end, I realized something profound: I am Toodles. Every mom is Toodles. If you’re navigating the wild ride of motherhood, you might find yourself wishing for a little extra help too. For more parenting tips, check out our blog at Home Insemination Kit, where we share insights and stories from the journey. And if you’re looking for ways to support your journey to motherhood, visit Make a Mom for great resources. Plus, for those curious about insemination procedures, WebMD offers excellent information.

Summary:

This lighthearted piece humorously explores a mother’s love-hate relationship with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the fictional character Toodles. It highlights the daily challenges of parenting while playfully wishing for a little extra help in various tricky situations.