Part-time mama

When I went back to work after having my second child, a friend of mine asked me a painful question: How did I like being a part-time mama? I felt knives through the heart every time I rolled the new title around in my head. I was working. I was leaving my kids, part-time with a daycare. She was right...I was a part-time mama.

I kept this title for myself for quite some time...until I realized it was bogus (I know I am showing my age with this term). But it was. In fact, I was not a part-time mama at all. I worked part-time and my kids went to daycare for 3 days a week, but I still worried, thought, worried, cried, arranged things and worried ALL of the time.

Matter of fact, because I work part-time I have to do double the housework because the Baby Daddy thinks since I work part-time I should do even more since he works full-time. Plus, I have more time for doctor appointments, shopping and any other things in between. So it didn't take me long to see that I would be better off working full-time.

And at work I am beginning to notice I tend to over compensate for just being there half of the week. I often stay later and push myself to do more and more because I feel guilty for being there only part-time. And in between poopie diapers and snotty noses, I worry, think and worry and worry about work. I know neurotic and probably doesn't make sense, but once again it's a mother's guilt. Work used to be my only child.

Most importantly, I realize no matter how far away I am from the rug rats, they are in my heart full-time. The good. The bad. And the poopie. There is no such thing as a part-time mama. Just like I learned there is no such thing as a part-time job. After becoming a mother, it's all or nothing, in everything a mother does!
 

Mama will protect you...from the Muppet

I just read the most disturbing thing, Sesame Street is going to introduce a hungry Muppet. A muppet whose family has food challenges. Food challenges...on Sesame Street. When I was a kid I loved watching the show because it was so far away from reality with its furry creatures and funny screwball ways to learn my ABC's. I loved the innocence and maybe I am a bit naive, but I want the same for my kids.

I agree with the concept and fully support the idea that kids should be made aware of these things, but is Sesame Street really the place. Sesame Street creates a safe warm and fuzzy place for kids and introducing this topic to a 3 year old will cause the warm fuzzies to maybe become anxiety. Why can't we just let kids be kids and not put so much pressure on them to be good citizens and the perfect human being.

 Why cant they just learn to count how many cookies Cookie Monster eats and that the letter P is for Potato and not poverty?