[Tales from the Mom-Side shares her daily life adventures. She asks more than just one question, "What are the best stories you have related to being a clown? What is a domesticated clown and how do you get to be one? What is the funniest thing one of your children ever said to you?"]
As a child I would sleepover at my grandmothers in her spare room where a picture of a clown lurked over my bedside. It’s eyes would gleam at me possessed ready to strike me in my sleep! I would shut my eyes tights each night and pray Penny Wise would be gone in the morning. Sadly, it was the first thing I saw when I woke-up! 
As time passed I realized there was more to a clown besides a painted mask, demonic eyes, and a rubber nose. A clown has layers of emotions and sensitivities. It is at that moment I no longer wanted to run from the clown that was chasing me on his tricycle. I wanted to be the clown balancing balls on the tricycle!
I discovered humor can help you out of the most awkward of situations and is a great way to divert discussions on emotions. The first indication of a topic on self analysis in any conversation has me looking for the nearest escape hatch. I am a therapists worst nightmare!
As I grew into my inner – clown – my life became its own carnival act with marriage and kids. It is unpredictable like the trapeze act, hairy like the bearded lady, dusty after a hard days work, and fun on those off moments behind the curtain! It is through my family’s carnival I discovered my inner domesticated clown!
My kids also love to laugh and are clowns of their own! It was just last week one proclaimed “No one will ever give me a wedgie! I have the perfect butt clench!”
At our house I juggle the dishes, the taxi service, dodge the clique at the play park, and trip over the laundry. I smile because I was the clown I once avoided in the sleepless nights. I now wear the rubber nose with a smile as I clean the egg on the floor from one last hazardous juggle!
Do you use humor to divert emotional subjects? What makes you laugh?
