This has been an unusual year. I do not normally leave home quite this often. But this is how Mommy helps pay the bills. I will be gone for a few days, and Ken will be in charge.
"Okay, I don't want any bad reports," I told Simone and Nadia at the airport. "Be good for Daddy."
Simone assured me all would be fine. "We're going to have fun with Daddy," she said. Here is my translation: Don't worry, Mommy. Daddy will let us do all the things you don't usually allow us to do.
Great. Children are so honest. They figure us out long before we get a handle on them. Minutes after they are born, they look around the room, angry they have been thrust into such an odd world, and come to a few conclusions.
Here is how I think it went down: See that lady over there? She's my Mommy. I can tell she is going to be strict. She is a bit uptight, too serious for her own good. I better be careful around her or there is no telling what she will do. Then my girls glanced over to the other person in the room. See that guy over there with the scared look on his face? He's my Daddy. Oh, boy, am I going to have fun with him. I can tell already he is the exact opposite of Mommy. I should make sure I get as much one-on-one time with him as possible.
This means they will be visiting fast-food restaurants, taking long baths, and going to bed late. So it goes ...
Tag: working
I'm traveling this week and filing this post from the airport. (Don't you love free wi-fi?)
I have turned over the reigns to Ken and Grandma. Ken has taken a few days off, and Grandma will fill in where needed.
Long ago, I decided I would be a working mother. Ken and I also decided I would slow down after we had children. I did for a while. You can't stop, though, or you'll lose your place. I didn't fully understand the consequences of my decision before Simone and Nadia were born. I didn't know I was signing up for two full-time jobs. It means I leave for work every few months. I try to keep trips short and avoid layovers. It also means we lean on family. I am not afraid to ask for what we need and line up help months in advance. I'm not sure the girls fully understand. I always promise to come back and that seems fine for now. I give big kisses, call every night, and return with something small in hand. I often find those trinkets tossed in a corner in their room, a reminder that the real gift for them is spending time with me.