Can I claim a deduction for an imaginary child? It occurred to me the other night as I tucked AJ into bed that we really should be getting something in return for our caring for this extra child. So here’s our typical day:
7am AJ wakes up, yawns, stretches and says, “Mom, Annie wants magic lucky charms and I want Cheerios.”
7:30 AJ gets dressed and insists Annie needs to get dressed too. Then the three of us hop in the car where we either go out to the library, or if it’s a M, TH, F, I take them both to daycare. Thankfully I’m only paying for one of them because the childcare folks haven’t caught on to this extra kid.
5:30 We go to the grocery store and Annie’s mom comes too “because Annie needs her best friend” (aw).
6:30 Dinner is served for four and Dad ends up eating Annie’s food because she eats like a bird.
7:30 Annie and AJ get into the bath and hog the bathroom for an hour while AJ figures out how to wash Annie’s hair and avoid washing her own.
8:30-10:00 Mom and Dad take turns fielding requests from Annie, for water, extra hugs, until we finally get to play this game:
“I’ll see you in the morning, sweetie.” “I see you in the morning too. And Annie see you in the morning too.”
“Okay, girls, I love you.” “We love you too.”
“Goodnight.” “Goodnight. Goodnight.”
So now I have this other kid that I’m talking to all day, either telling her to pick up her toys or to finish her food. I’ve tried ignoring her but AJ won’t have it. They have to do everything together.
When I asked her who Annie was, she said, “She’s my sister.” This kid needs a sister - bad. I can’t say we’re not trying, but honey, God just hasn’t decided to let us have another yet. I suppose an imaginary kid is all we can handle at this point.
Matt left a comment on September 1, 2006 at 9:09 am | #
This is why I can’t wait to start having kids! It sure sounds like fun! I have been reading your site for quite sometime. I enjoy the read! My wife and I have a website on relationships and faith. We have been married for a year and 2 months. We have fun with it. I am trying to design and customize it now. Have a great day!
Nate K left a comment on September 1, 2006 at 2:01 pm | #
With fatherhood just around the bend for me (January 27th), stories like these excite me. I can’t wait for the child to be here and in my arms.
I used to have an imaginary friend as well, not sure why ““ it was just nice to have someone else around I guess. ha.
Natalie left a comment on September 1, 2006 at 2:16 pm | #
You know, there are different theories for imaginary friends. I never had one, always wanted one. The main difference between my childhood and my daughter’s is that I had siblings and she’s an only child. I think that’s a huge part of it. She wants a friend around who she can play with, so she made one up. I can hear her every now and then talking to herself, reading a story outloud or bossing someone around and I know it’s Annie.
Matt and Nate, it’s so good to hear from men about wanting kids really. I think a lot of women today have it in their heads that men are these big brutes who couldn’t care less about snot-nosed brats. Oh yeah, watch out for those snotty noses, especially that first year. It can turn the stomach some days. :)