Algebra in real life

[caption id="attachment_398" align="alignright" width="300" caption="What do you do if your child is scooped up by a bulldozer?"][/caption]

I was watching a documentary one night with my beloved (that's you, Thom) about these Buddhist Monks who attempt to reach enlightenment through physical trials.  For example, they walk over mountains for months or don't eat, drink, or sleep for 9 days.  Apparently not sleeping can kill you faster than not eating or drinking, just so you know.  Anyway, it was a fairly slow moving documentary and I found myself drifting off to sleep.  Thom found my falling asleep when the Buddhist Monk stayed awake for 9 days highly ironic and amusing.  I retorted that the Buddhist monk had not spent the day caring for 2 young children. I mean I used to stay up all night all the time in college, and only occasionally spill my extra large coffee in class by falling asleep at my desk.  Now if I can make it to 9:30pm, I feel like I deserve a medal.  Taking care of my kids is most definitely what I want to be doing right now but man-oh-man is it energy consuming!

[caption id="attachment_185" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Then there is fire you have to keep them away from."][/caption]

I mean really, television producers are going to all the trouble to come up with challenges for people on desert island reality shows, when they could actually consult a family manager (aka stay-at-home mom) on some reallife challenges.  What if they set up a challenge of everyone going to the grocery store at the busiest time of the day with 2 tired and hungry children and a budget.  And a big tantrum in Aisle 5.  And a spill in Aisle 3.  And keeping track of all that winter gear.  Good luck.  See who comes out alive in that situation.  Makes a deserted island look tame in comparison. 

[caption id="attachment_462" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Ben has a hard time imagining his parents having fun without HIM."][/caption]

Sometimes, I think of these daily challenges as "story problems" like we all learned about (and then ignored) from algebra classes.  Here are some for your enjoyment, and I am sure you have many from your own life that television producers would just be chomping at the bit to recreate.

It's 4:30, you are tired, the kids are tired.  It's time to make dinner!  Everyone is depending on you to come up with a nutritious and delicious meal for all to enjoy.  Suddenly you realize that you have avoided going to the grocery store (see above challenge for possible reasons) and have only frozen items and the oh so dreaded broccoli in your fridge.  What do you do? 

[caption id="attachment_89" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Driver in a small car"][/caption]

You have a gas efficient car that only fits 4 people comfortably.  You need to take 2 guests to the airport, along with your two young children.  You will be driving the car, which leaves only 3 spots empty.  How do you do it? 

You are invited to book club which starts at 7pm.  It will take you approximately 30 minutes to travel to book club.  Your children insist that you be around for their bedtime or bedtime mysteriously does not happen.  How do you manage to attend bookclub, pretending that you've actually read the book, and arrive home by 8:30 pm, bedtime? 

One of your children loves to walk to school, for the exercise, fresh air and exhilaration of winter in Wisconsin.  Your other child hates to walk to school in the cold.  You need to somehow transport both children to school, how do you accomplish this task while still arriving at school on time?

These story "problems" occur on a daily basis, adding flair and color to our lives.  When I think of them as story problems, I know that the solution is out there, I just have to get calm enough to find it.