This stands for Parent on Duty. It was the code word my husband and I used in front of our children to indicate the need for the cavalry to take over.
I can honestly say our kids never saw us argue about parenting in front of them. (Although we argued about other important things such as why didn't he use the parking place I had identified.) In front of the kids, we did not want them to hear some of the thoughts running through our heads like:
- I can't take this anymore
- Please help me
- I need to leave the house
- I'm exhausted from arguing with them
- I'm beat to _______
- I'm going crazy
- You won't believe what I've been dealing with
- This will take both of us to handle
Rather than articulate reality, we created our simple S.O.S. code and sweetly conjured up a valium-esque smile and would say, "Will you be the P.O.D.?" or sometimes just "P.O.D!!!"
We used this code only when necessary. So when the question was asked, neither one of us balked. It was time to roll up our sleeves and step in. Right away.
Sometimes, the request would be "I need you to be the P.O.D. tomorrow night because I have a meeting." Or, "I need a bath." Neither one of us questioned the other's need for support. We just stepped in, allowing the harried spouse to go breathe for awhile.
Our youngest could have charged batteries for the Everyready corporation with his level of constant energy, so he was most frequently dual P.O.D'd.
P.O.D. was used to deal with the momentary parenting issues when you need extra arms and legs, velcro or duct tape and a flare. Bathing, eating or playing with toys was not included. Putting your child back in the stroller every time you paused was. Or trying to catch them at the playground when it's time to go home. Or when they have decided they can't hear your voice any longer. Or when you changed the last diaper.
We haven't used this phrase in years. It faded from our vocabulary the taller and more adept with life skills they became. I chuckle now as I reflect on how that silly code brought us together as a parenting team and how supported we each felt. All we had to do was ask. In code.
