In case you were considering using the phrase “You’ve got your hands full!” today, but were uncertain when it is appropriate, here is a handy tutorial. I hear this phrase at least once each day, so I can be considered a trusted resource.
First, let’s define what does not constitute full hands.
This only child is best referred to as darling, adorable, or sweet. It is also appropriate to refer to the mother as lucky or blessed.
Don’t be confused by this darling brother and sister duo who make shopping twice as challenging. They might look like full hands. They are not. Two kids – whether they are angelic or perfect terrors – require the following advice: Enjoy them now. In a few years, they’ll grow up and make you miserable. It is appropriate at this point to refer to the mother as clueless.
Second, let’s illustrate what does constitute full hands:
In order to fully graduate to the official You’ve Got Your Hands Full status, children must come (at a minimum) in three.* At this point, it is also acceptable to add an interjection such as Oh Boy, Oh My, or even Look at You! Wide eyes and raised eyebrows will also work to convey your message.
Need some real life examples so you are sure to apply this phrase at the appropriate time? Here are some handy photos:
Walking kids to school (Add rain gear and your hands will be especially full).
At the grocery store:
Mom carrying baby like this
behind these three.
*Lastly, some notable exceptions to the rule of 3:
Anytime a baby is in a carrier, sling, or wrap (as opposed to the car seat), this creates an exception to the rule of three or more. *See Above Photos
When the mother is pregnant and has one or more children.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial. Because everyone knows you can think, but not say, That mom is crazy!, She is overpopulating the earth!, or Didn’t anyone ever explain birth control to her? This is where knowing just exactly when to say She’s got her hands full! comes in handy.
I’m the oldest of five and when I turned 15 my mom met a guy with four of his own. But when she was pregnant with #5 people would frequently let her know that she was having too many babies. In fact one person once told her she should give up #5 to someone who needed a baby because she didn’t need 5 kids to herself.
Yeah. They could have used your handy tutuorial.
My sister had her 5th kid when her oldest was 5 : ) She’s now pregnant with her 6th kid. 3 kids is a piece of cake LOL (jk I know that 3 kids are a handful!)
This post made me smile. Of course, I’m the mother of one, so I just smile. And applaud. And stand in awe. You rock 🙂
please feel sorry for me and play on friday? http://www.lifeisnotbubblewrapped.com/2011/09/28/just-fishin-aka-fist-pump-fridays/