Four years ago, during the Lenten season, I made the decision to eliminate carbonated drinks from my diet. In my quest for a healthier alternative, I found myself ordering coffee from a local fast-food chain on my way to work. I would load it with cream and sugar, opting for the largest cup available, and gulp it down, using the cheap brew to jolt me into the day ahead. Over time, my coffee preferences evolved, but that’s a story for another time.
It’s essential to understand that coffee has become not just a beverage for me, but a steadfast companion and a cherished hobby. More than that, it serves as a critical tool in my parenting arsenal, helping me maintain my sanity while navigating the chaotic world of toddlerhood. Without my morning brew, I would be lost. If you are a parent of a young child, it’s likely that you share this need for a good cup of coffee.
After the arrival of my son, coffee transitioned from a simple pleasure to a vital part of my daily routine.
“Daddy!” my son, Max, shouted this morning. My eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness of the room. He sat upright in his bed, like a vigilant meerkat, pointing at me and calling my name. I desperately wished for a few more minutes of sleep, but that was never going to happen. He was awake, which meant I had to be awake too. It was 5:30 a.m. and I craved my coffee.
Before getting out of bed, I offered my daily request to the universe:
“Dear God, please grant me the coffee I need to keep my son alive, the courage to face this day, and the wisdom to order more coffee. Amen.”
I rely on both divine intervention and caffeine to help me through the long days ahead. And believe me, on days when my toddler decides to exhibit his biting skills, high-octane coffee is indispensable.
For those grappling with your own caffeine dependency, consider these scenarios that highlight your need for a cup of coffee as a sleep-deprived parent of a small child:
- You find yourself boarding the subway heading in the wrong direction—again.
- You unintentionally pour breast milk into your cereal.
- You take your dog out for a bathroom break but realize you’re in the elevator with your baby and no dog.
- You struggle to recall basic words, like “fork,” mid-sentence.
- You awaken in aisle 4 of the grocery store, bewildered, with no recollection of what you came to find.
When the chaos of parenting becomes overwhelming, coffee is your saving grace. Let me walk you through our morning ritual (yes, my toddler is actively involved in this).
Max and I begin by dismantling the coffee grinder and clearing out any stale grounds. After cleaning it, I switch on the scale and prepare 26 grams of coffee beans, allowing Max to assist by pouring them into the grinder. As the beans transform into a fine powder, Max, my little sidekick, eagerly gestures toward the kettle. We fill the kettle with filtered water, setting it on the stove to heat.
One of my favorite moments occurs next: I lift the tray of fresh grounds to my nose and inhale deeply. Max follows suit, taking a breath and exclaiming with excitement, “The Force is strong with you!”
I chuckle, reminding him, “You may feel powerful, young Jedi, but there’s still much for you to learn.”
Once the kettle whistles, I pour the hot water over the grounds in a slow, deliberate motion, watching as they bloom and bubble with a life of their own. This is the part my spouse refers to as an obsession. As the coffee drips and collects in the pot, I remind Max, “Patience, my young Padawan.”
I consume coffee at 5:30 a.m., during mid-morning, while watching children’s programming, and in the afternoons when my energy wanes. On particularly exhausting days, I sometimes fantasize about an IV drip filled with coffee. I know I am not alone in this wish.
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In summary, coffee is not just a beverage for parents; it’s a lifeline that helps navigate the challenges of raising young children. It fuels our mornings and sustains us through the daily chaos, proving to be as essential as any parenting tool in our arsenal.
Keyphrase: Coffee and Parenting
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