The play and your Guilty-Mom questions
I've been so busy that I've neglected giving you a report on my son's preschool play, which, by a small but influential vote, I was urged to attend. Despite the week from you-know-what, my husband being out of town, yada yada yada.
I'm glad I went. So thank you for the nudge. (Most of all, major thanks to You Know Who You Are, another mom from the class who graciously volunteered to take my kids for an afternoon play date so I could catch up on work later.)
It was a 15-minute play his class performed about nursery rhymes, which they've been studying. Sam froze momentarily before delivering his one line, but then spoke it with gusto: "I didn't even get any bread. Could I please have some water?"
Yes, he was one of the children who lives in a shoe.
He was very happy and surprised to see me at the end. "I thought you were going to stay home," he said, as if I'd prefer to be lounging on the couch with Oprah than watching his star turn.
And now -- that Guilty Mom poll was so much fun that it shouldn't be the last. Do you have a dilemma to submit to the ruthless vote of the readership? I'll create a poll for you and we can all follow the results.
Comments
I have a little dilemma which might lend itself to a reader vote (although I can't promise I will abide by the results!)
I am being pushed into sending my 4-year-old to school 4-5 days/week (full day) starting in the fall by the school and other well-meaning friends and family. More time for me, they say. It will be good for her. She should go the number of days according to her age. She doesn't really like school all that much - she cries every morning but the teacher says she is fine after I depart and then participates fully in the day. Her teacher thinks I am doing the right thing. The director thinks she would do better with more time there.
My theory? I want to send her 2 days because she will be in school full time before we know it and she's our only one. We can swing it financially for me to work part-time (I work from home as a writer) for one more year.
Part of me wonders if I am holding on too tight or just enjoying the moments of her being little which won't last long. I feel confident that I am doing what I need to do for the right reasons but I have a heaping of mommy guilt for wanting to stay home with her.
Any insights?
Sounds like a great poll. I'll put it up Monday. If anybody wants to comment before that, of course, feel free.
Posted by: Edamommy | May 31, 2008 2:24 PM
I think that is a great one - hits on mom guilt from both points of view.
Posted by: Annelies | June 1, 2008 9:22 PM
I have an arrangement with work to come into the office part time. I started with one day soon after the birth of my child and eventually moved up to 2 days. Though no one is pushing me to add an additional day to my schedule, I'm sure it would be appreciated.
Here's the guilty part: For several months I've had a Nanny for an additional day, but instead of going to work, I use it as a "me" day. I usually run errands, meet my husband for lunch, etc. But whenever I'm out, I see all the moms shopping with their kids and I feel guilty that I'm not with her, and I'm not at work and I'm just taking selfish, secret personal time, that so many working moms don't have the privelege of. I've withheld my name in case someone I work with reads this blog. But I guess if they do, they've already figured me out :-)
Posted by: Guilty One | June 2, 2008 4:41 PM