Coffee, Card Games, and Controlled Chaos: A Day in My Life

Some mornings feel like a race before the starting whistle even blows. When Janita called me for our English meeting, my husband was busy leaving, I was tired from too much work, and honestly, I still felt half asleep. The night before had been busy because I had training in the evening and only went to bed very late. For me, “very late” means after midnight — and then waking up again at 5:40 in the morning. She almost felt tired for me.

Still, the sun was shining after several rainy days, and suddenly life felt a little bit lighter. We talked about my upcoming holiday, and she reminded me that we would only see each other again in three weeks. Three weeks! She was already excited about all the stories I would probably bring back after the holiday. I told her maybe. She immediately corrected me: “Definitely.”

That is one thing about Janita — she always sounds very sure about these things.

Before the meeting really started, she explained the topics for our next meetings. Apparently, June would be all about “balance.” Social balance. Emotional balance. Health balance. Digital balance. Financial balance — absolutely not, thank you very much. The moment she mentioned finances, I almost wanted to hide under the table. Eventually, I chose relationship balance, social balance, and work-and-play balance. Fruitloop seemed very happy with my choices, although I still suspect she enjoys making me discuss difficult topics.

Then she asked whether I liked the funny cartoon reminders she sends every Thursday. I admitted they always make me smile. They usually describe everyday situations so perfectly that it feels almost dangerous. This week’s cartoon was about adults turning ordinary life into little survival games — like trying to drink one hot cup of coffee before the children interrupt you.

Honestly? That one felt personal.

Every morning after preparing school lunches, I sit down with breakfast and my coffee for exactly a few peaceful minutes. Those moments are sacred. Sometimes I only have thirty minutes before the entire house explodes into movement again. My daughter needs to wake up. My son needs to get ready. I still need to get myself ready. My coffee is not just coffee — it is emotional support in a cup.

Fruitloop asked if I ever turn mornings into competitions. Actually, yes. My son is usually the fastest one getting ready, although my daughter wins on certain days because she leaves the house earlier for school. Apparently even school mornings become Olympic events in our home.

Cleaning bedrooms, however, is another story entirely.

Fruitloop asked whether I motivate the children with rewards like chocolate. Absolutely not. If my daughter cleans her room, I mostly arrive with a trash bag because that usually becomes necessary. I admitted that years ago, when my son was still very little, I once packed toys into garbage bags and removed them completely. Sometimes motherhood requires dramatic measures.

At this exact moment during the lesson, my daughter interrupted because she was hungry and needed food immediately. Suddenly, I found myself giving microwave instructions in the middle of my English conversation:
“Turn the dial. Press the triangle button. One minute thirty.”

Meanwhile, Fruitloop sat patiently through the chaos as if this were completely normal.

Eventually, the conversation moved to games. Our family loves card games, especially Uno and Skip-Bo. Recently we also bought a game called Quickstop at a trade show in October. The game involves questions, letters, and trying to answer under pressure before your brain completely stops functioning. Honestly, that description also works for parenting.

We do not play as many games lately because school life has become busy. Homework seems endless. My daughter often plays alone downstairs with her Schleich horses, creating entire little districts with stables, transporters, and houses. She leaves everything exactly where it is so she can continue building the next day. It is actually very impressive.

When it rains, though, things become difficult because inviting friends over suddenly requires people driving through terrible weather. Germany and rain — not always the best combination.

Then Fruitloop asked what kind of silly game I would choose for a work fun day. That question nearly broke my brain. I eventually settled on card games because at least everyone understands them. She also asked whether adults should play more games in general.

I honestly do not know.

Children naturally play more than adults. Adults have work, hobbies, responsibilities, gardens that need vegetables planted, and husbands who mysteriously find plenty of time for video games on the computer. Apparently, gaming becomes much easier when someone else reminds you to build bedrooms or clean the garden.

Still, I admitted that if Fruitloop and I ever played a game together, I would choose Quickstop or Uno. Trying to explain Quickstop to her during the lesson almost turned into another game itself. There were cards, letters, categories, dice, and somehow a lot of confusion. At one point I even fetched another game called Das Neinhorn to explain it properly, which only made things more chaotic.

Fruitloop listened bravely while I attempted to describe animals swapping words like “No,” “Why,” and “So what?” Honestly, I am still not sure if she understood me completely. But she smiled politely, which counts.

Then came the truly terrible suggestion: “The Floor Is Lava.”

My children had apparently seen this on television already. Fruitloop thought it sounded hilarious. I informed her immediately that anyone attempting this inside my house would probably be called stupid. She asked what would happen if my husband actually enjoyed it.

Simple.

If he cleans up afterward, he may jump across furniture all he wants.

That feels fair.

The conversation became even sillier when she asked whether I sing in the car. I do, I have full karaoke concerts alone while driving to work. I admitted that yes, I sing. At the moment, my favorite songs are “Golden,” some K-pop music, and songs from Pocahontas. Not the Disney version, though — another version by AnnenMayKantereit.

By then, my daughter was once again moving through the house, preparing for another appointment, half listening and half ignoring our entire conversation. At one point Fruitloop joked that children somehow answer questions without ever truly listening.

She is not wrong.

Before ending the meeting, Fruitloop asked one final question: water balloon fights or dance games?

Easy answer.

In summer, we absolutely play water balloon games. They are fun, chaotic, and apparently excellent for removing stress and frustration. Fruitloop even suggested water guns for the weekend. Honestly, not a bad idea.

Especially if someone else cleans afterward.