California is now in its fifth year of a severe drought. Also? Summer break just started. That feels relevant because I'm thinking sprinklers and Slip-n-Slides but my kids, my little Californians, are having none of that.
In fact, when it comes to water usage of any kind, they're not having much of anything.
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And while I appreciate the conservation efforts my kids now have instilled deep into their DNA, I sometimes think their daily efforts might transform into frustrating habits for their future roomates or spouses. Though, secretly, I love how astonished they get over water use in other states we visit. Actually, it makes me laugh and it's how I know that, no, I'm not raising Iowa transplants, which is what I am. I'm raising Californians.
Here is a list present and future clues that your child was raised in a serious drought:
- As an adult, they constantly tell people to get in the shower with them. The more in the shower, the less water that's wasted. It's kind of a great pick-up line.
- After five minutes of showering, they scream, "Get out of the shower. The drought, the drought!"
- Your 5-year-old sees a Slip'N Slide as grotestequely wasteful while visiting his cousins in Iowa, where the water is a plenty.
- Your adult child has fond memories of playing sports in a cloud of dust as grass has long since gone away.
- Your now adult child is constantly peeing in the backyard—to save water since he won't need to flush.
- Toilets are rarely flushed. "If it's yellow let it mellow," is your kids mantra.
- Your 5-year-old becomes adept at finding leaks and reporting them to the DWP. He tells you he wants to be a leak detective when he grows up.
- A washcloth becomes a nifty way to plug up your shower so the kids can have a "bath" inside a shower as real baths use far more water.
- If ever there is thunder and lighting, consider it more exciting than Disneyland, Legoland and and iPad combined. That's excitement and fun.
- When it sprinkles, your kids run outside fully armed in rain gear and ask you if school is cancelled.
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