One of the few realms Dad has a good amount of control over is the desk. It is readily observed as Dad’s desk and everyone treats it as such. Proof of this can be found simply by leaving a mess of books around the house. Inevitably those books, when my wife finds their current placement angering, will end up haphazardly stacked on the desk. Shirts and sweaters left around the house will eventually be thrown either on the desk or in the desk chair. This small little realm is a joyous and necessary place for Dad. The rigors of graduate school almost necessitate a place where work, and only work, can get done. The placement of Dad’s desk, though, is right next to the baby’s play area.
This close proximity of play and work could be seen as a welcome opportunity. Rather than looking at a motivational poster on the wall or out a nearby window at beautiful landscapes (if they were out there) Dad could look down upon his sweet little one for untold amounts of inspiration and motivation to continue his work. Sadly, this is not the case. If there is one thing I’ve learned about babies since the birth of my first son it is that they are endlessly curious. This curiosity ends up leading those babies into all sorts of undesirable locations.
Often those locations are dangerous for the child. Our current lack of a fully child-proofed home makes some areas dangerous. Other times the location is simply difficult for one reason or another. While I love my son, his “workspace” no longer holds his attention or interest. Instead, my son crawls his way to the base of my desk chair. This makes me nervous. My desk chair has wheels that could pinch and mangle little fingers. Work stops. Fear sets in. Careful movements are required. Eventually my son ends up sitting on my lap, trying to eat the computer mouse, and banging on the keyboard (making paper writing impossible). Bottom line: work becomes play and play becomes work… but sometimes that’s a good thing. Thanks for reminding me of the childlike perspective again. I often need it!