Being a working parent is really hard. I'm not complaining -- I'm just stating the obvious. It's a constant balancing act and it forces you to choose between your child, your work, your self, and sometimes your spouse -- over and over again, even though they're all important to you. Emma comes first 99% of the time, of course, but there are days (like yesterday and today) when the choice isn't clear. Emma's feeling much better, but is still coughing, tired, and a little out of sorts. Of course I'd love to be able to stay home with her and cuddle and just focus on making her comfortable, but I also have a job I need to keep -- a job that helps pay our bills. I know she's OK at daycare, but they can't be "mom."
Anyway, I hate weeks like this. Weeks when I wake up on Monday and think there's just no way I can get it all done. I can't be in all the places I need to be at once. And I feel like I'm not doing a good enough job at anything. (I'm not totally there for Emma, I haven't put in a full week at work, I have barely remembered to bathe myself and put on clean clothes, and ... Andrew who?)
Thank goodness it's Friday. Thank goodness this week is not the norm. And thank goodness there are other working parents in my life who go through the same thing. I don't know what I'd do w/out them. Right now I'm thinking of Melissa who is on her way to p/u Walter from daycare because there's something wrong with him. He's crying and says his ear hurts (I think). And I'm also thinking of Jaime, Tristan & Cooper's mom, who is recovering from being sick all night as her husband prepares for a trip out of state for work. Melissa and Jaime, I know what you're going through. We'll all get through it.
2 comments:
You are a great Mom even when the weeks feel like this! Keep up the great Momming and remember you are not alone and just call if you need a reminder. Love you!!!
The kids somehow survive our less than perfect parenting, our working and putting them in day care, and our not being fully present for everything they say and do! And related to your last post, I remember many years ago delaying bringing my son to the MD, thinking he was fine. At last, when I had a day off (and it was convenient)I brought him, only to find he had pneumonia! (which until this day we've referred to as "new monkeys"). Could've been an entry in "Bad Parent Magazine", which I think would have been a big hit if published.
My boys are now almost 22 and 19.
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