Mommage

The Homestretch

Last week was quiet for me but quite hectic for my son.  Not only did he have midterms, he also had Regents and SAT.  After today's Math Regents, he will finally be in the homestretch.  I remember like it was yesterday the time he got kicked out of preschool, and now he's preparing to graduate high school and go to college.  What a journey!  I never thought I'd see the day, but here we are. 

This past week has forced me to face my feelings about my children growing up, graduating high school, college, moving out and even getting married.  A part of me wants to keep them in my care forever, but I know that would be selfish.  I have always enjoyed fixing their meals, doing their laundry, helping with homework, and everything in between, however, I must confess that the thought of a little less responsibility (and work) might actually be a bit appealing.

Is that wrong?      

What Happens When Mom Gets Sick?

  What happens when mom gets sick?  As I write this I am feeling awful, my head hurts and is congested, I cannot stop sneezing, my eyes feel heavy like I could fall asleep at any minute.  All I want to do is soak in my bathtub or climb back into bed and sleep until I feel better, but we all know that will never happen.  My children would destroy my house (more than usual) :) and who knows what my husband would feed them for dinner?

I really wonder why one of the most important jobs comes with no monetary compensation, no vacation time, NO SICK DAYS, and no union representation.  So here I go trudging through my misery, just counting the hours until bedtime.  I do not like to take medication but couldn't even if I wanted to because it will just make me sleepy, and we all know that moms have to be alert as possible at all times.  Luckily this is fairly minor (I guess), it could be a stomach flu instead, so I guess it could be worse.  I have to go to the grocery store now, the family still has to eat, life does not stop because Mom is sick, I will buy some Orange Juice while I am there and hope for a speedy recovery.

--Contributed by Renee (ah choo)

Lipstick On A Pig

I keep seeing the headlines all over - including on MSNBC just yesterday:  "Palin sparks debate on working moms."  There it is again.  That phrase.  Working Moms.  As opposed to Moms who, apparently, don't work.  (Aside - we even have that listed as a category here at Mommage.  Hmmm... who do I see about changing that?)

Now if you are a mom, have one or just know one, you know that this phrase is insultingly redundant.  And highly irritating as a matter of fact.

Working Mom, indeed.