All that camouflage!

One of my guilty pleasures is watching Project Runway. I find it fascinating that the designers can look at a piece of fabric and envision a sassy or an innovative dress. I get a real kick out of Tim Gunn and his signature catch phrase, “Make it work!” as he critiques the competing designers.

I have often used this phrase in some of my parenting skills. A few years ago, my husband mentioned he wanted to try his hand at fly fishing, but didn't have waders. It was a few days before his birthday, so I figured Perfect! That’s what I would get him!

At the time, he worked weekends; on the Saturday before his birthday, I took our son, who was seven at the time, to Sportsman’s Warehouse. This store is huge, packed tightly full of every sort of camping, hunting and fishing gear imaginable.  What I didn't know, but became painfully aware as soon as we entered, was in the middle of the store, they have on display a life-like wilderness scene. To complete this display was many taxidermy animals—bobcats, moose, deer and bears— in authentic poses. When my son set eyes on this scene, he completely flipped out. He shouted that these wild animals would eat him and we had to get out of here right now! I tried to calm him down, explaining that these animals were not real. He insisted our lives were in danger and tried to make a beeline for the door. I felt my face flush as I saw some customers staring at this sight of me trying to wrangle my wiggling child.

I firmly held onto him and decided to “make it work” with his logical side. I looked him in the eye and simply stated that why would a store have wild animals roaming around, chewing on people’s heads? They wouldn't stay in business very long, now would they? This tactic seemed to work and he settled down a bit. Another bonus was the prying eyes of the other customers were turned off of us by my sweeping, graphic statement!

Hand in hand, we ventured further into the store, putting more and more distance between the stuffed ferocious   creatures. As I looked through the rack of waders for my husband’s size, my son squeezed between the waders. When I asked him why, he stated that he would be safe among the camouflage. That way the animals couldn't find him. I guess my pep talk wore off and he took it upon himself to make up his own logic. Still, he seemed to be content sitting cross legged surrounded by the waders. He was safe, in no one’s way and not ranting about animals going to eat him.   I said “Enjoy!” and kept looking through the rack. When a sales associate came by asking if I needed help, she did a double take when she saw my son’s head pop out in between the hanging waders. I just smiled, “making it work.”