The Panic Button

From Old McDonald

Last Friday it was a gorgeous day here in Rhode Island and I took my son Brendan to a park near us where they have a small farm with pigs, horses, cows, sheep, goats, roosters and donkeys. We're both big animal lovers and always enjoy the sights and sounds (and smells!).The "farmer" who takes care of the animals was busy doling out bunches of hay and he gave Brendan a big clump to feed the donkeys. Brendan was grinning ear to ear - he was so excited to feed them! I picked him up and he threw the hay down on the ground, and the 3 beautiful brown donkeys began eating.Then we walked around and listened to the roosters cock-a-doodle-doo, watched the pigs taking a mid-morning snooze and petted the sweet black and white goats.

To McDonald's

Next, we drove to McDonald's for lunch and as we stood at the counter, Brendan said, "I'm hungry - I want a cheeseburger, fries, chicken nuggets, apple dippers and root beer." After being his mother for 4 years, I know enough to actually order all this because he will eat it.I ordered his gargantuan meal and while we waited for it, I noticed that Brendan was pale and looked panicked. I asked him what was wrong and he said he felt like he had to sneeze. I told him he didn't have to be afraid to sneeze and picked him up to reassure him it was ok.About 2 seconds later, our order was ready and Brendan vomited all over himself, me and the floor. He was so quiet about it, that no one even noticed and I actually had to tell the cashier so she could send a clean-up crew.I calmly asked them to put our food in bags so I could take the food and Brendan out to the car. We got outside to the car where I realized I'd locked my keys in the car. Yup, for real.

Wherein I hit the panic button

I totally panicked - I was holding poor Brendan who was crying and saying "Wipe my pants off, there's throw up on them" and I literally didn't know what to do.So I called my mom.And as always, she helped me calm down and gently reminded me that I have AAA.I called AAA and explained what had happened - that I'd locked my keys in the car and was standing outside McDonald's with my son who had just vomited - and they sent someone out in 15 minutes flat and he popped the door lock and retrieved my keys.Now you might think AAA saved the day, but the real heroine here was my mom, my human "panic button" who rescues me from disasters big and small.

Don't panic! Reach out.

As moms and entrepreneurs, the urge to hit the panic button is strong - it seems like something's always sending us to DEFCON1. But now you don't have to panic, because I'm here.Whenever you need some calming down or some damn clear answers about your business, I'm just a (keyboard) button away. (Of course, if your questions and concerns are urgent, you're probably better off calling your mom or AAA. :) )Find TMM on Twitter at @themogulmomFind TMM on Facebook at The Mogul MomFind TMM by email at mailto:hello@themogulmom.comImage by akanekal