Don't call unless...

Sometimes my kids are home alone. (Yes, I'm that kind of mother.) Thanks to the constant companionship of my cell phone, they are able to call if there is a problem or question. More often than not, however a phone call from home is a report that that so-and-so is being mean or won't share the blah blah blah. About a month ago I got three such calls in succession during a work training. After the third, I firmly explained that these situations were not emergencies and that they needed work things out on their own. I did not want to be interrupted again for anything that didn't involve a lot of blood or fire.

Today my cell phone vibrated during a meeting at Todd's school. I walked out of the room grinding my teeth assuming my refereeing skills were required in some minor sibling combat. NOPE. Turns out there was an emergency. A fire. Kenna calmly explained that while she was heating some rice, she saw sparks and was now observing a small combustion inside the microwave. Her question was should she continue to watch it or try to put it out? REALLY?!! A FIRE?!! Yeah, yawn. So, should she let it burn or do something? She sounded less concerned than if the TV remote were missing. I told her to put a wet rag on the small flame which she did while I stayed on the phone. Okay, it was out. Thanks for the help. Click.

(Incidentally, the culprit was a tiny, metal hinge in the random plastic container she had chosen to heat her rice in.)