nag, nag, nag

I know I've said before - at least a thousand times - but I refuse to do everything myself! This is why I'm the nag, I'm the bitch, I'm the crazy one who can't relax. I'm teaching OUR children to be more responsible, to clean up after themselves, to not want the house to smell like a litter box - not just for guests but for us too! Silly me, I must be asking to much of my family! This is my job after all, isn't it? Ugggh! I'm so sick of it. I don't know how much longer I can put up with it.

The things we do for our children...

On Wednesday I heard that a famous singer was going to be performing in Central Park. I was actually contemplating taking my daughter to camp out the night before for these free-but-limited tickets. Luckily, we were able to snag some ahead of time so I didn't have to go with that crazy idea!
Thursday night the other crazy mom in this story and her daughter and the two of us are making posters and t-shirts for the girls to wear the next morning. We failed at trying to tie-dye them because it turns out you need like 12 hours to do that! So we printed out pictures and ironed them on instead. Lastly we had a great idea of using fabric puffy paint to really make them stand out!
Friday morning we get up at 3:45 am...drive to pick up the other crazy mom and her daughter and drive into the city. It only took 35 minutes to get near the park entrance, but then it took 45 minutes of circling to find a parking spot! We finally found one, ran out of the car with the girls in t-shirts that still hadn't dried, just to go wait on a long line! They were walking like mummies with their arms out but it didn't help! There was puffy paint on their arms, faces, and even some other people in line in front of us! shhh!
The show was awesome, though I've never been so tired in my life - having to hold up my daughter for three hours! The girls really seemed to enjoy it! I don't think they realized how much trouble we went through for them! I know I never realized all the things my parents must have gone through until I became a parent myself!

Bullying...

When I was younger kids got teased, fights happened on the playground but you dusted yourself off and were friends again like nothing happened. Now as a parent it seems like bullying is on the rise and I'm at a loss for what to do about it. My son was the victim of a bully a few years ago. He was pushed, poked and name-called. It hurt me so much to see him hurt. There were many meetings and phone calls with teachers and the principal. Unfortunately nothing really resolved. I constantly told him to push back, figuring the bully would get the idea not to mess with him. I know not everyone agrees with that tactic but I had had enough! Sure enough - my tactic worked! My son felt empowered to stand up for himself and the bully moved on to someone else.
I have no regrets having handled that situation in that way. But now, as a Girl Scout troop leader I am hearing that one of "my" girls is being a bully. I'm not sure what to do. Even though she is not my daughter, I feel obligated to help correct this situation. Whenever we are together as a troop I am very mindful of how the girls treat each other and would never stand for mean words or actions as long as I'm around. But I'm in a little predicament in that the bully AND her victim are my scouts. While the bullying has never happened on my watch, I'm hearing stories from both families of what has happened in school. I feel my loyalty is to both of them and I should be there for them as a listener and a friend. I have to watch what I say and not put myself in the middle.
What would you do? Please comment and let me know!

working inside or outside the home

This is a very controversial subject and hopefully you will all leave wonderful debatable comments!

Working part time gives me the ability to see both sides of the story. Is is better to work outside the home or stay at home with your kids? I'm sorry but I think my life is a very nice balance of both. Staying at home with kids is the absolute HARDEST job of all! There is no way for me to juggle motherhood, be involved in their lives, take care of a household - without working outside the home for even a few hours! It would just drive me crazy! Granted most of the household responsibilities still fall solely on me, but going to work while the kids are in school gives me a sense of importance and freedom. I also appreciate the adult conversations and escape from daily chores.

I am a firm believer in making mom happy first. If you're not happy - then there is no way for you to teach your children self-respect. Treat yourself to a weekly or even daily time slot of mommy time without kids. You'll regain your strength and energy and be able to give more to your family.

What to do with the kids over the summer?

I work part time but the town camp around here is full day 8:30-5:30. I hate to have them in camp all day but I also don't want them to be stuck in the house while I work. Plus paying for full day camp on a part time salary just doesn't cut it! I guess while I'm at work they will just have to use that time to do their summer reading and math worksheets and some chores around the house. The time usually flies by and then we can all enjoy the rest of the day together!

I refuse to do it all by myself...

I did not grow up in the 50's thinking that a woman's job was to stay at home, raise the kids and take care of the hubby. Fortunately my parents raised me to believe that a woman can do anything a man can do - but probably better! We are naturally good at: nurturing, multitasking, fixing, problem-solving, refereeing, etc. We make do with what we have and not only make the best of it - but really make it the best!

I know there are women who want to be the only caregiver for their children. I also know that there are women who have nannies to take care of their children while they are getting pampered. While these are opposite ideas - it's just great that we have the CHOICE in the matter.

I believe that there is no suck thing as a woman's job. We can do all and be all.