Nashville Stars??? Maybe Not!

Nashville Star used to be on my "I-watch-it-if-I-see-it-while-browsing-through-channels" list. I think I have to stop now. I spent the last 2 days at Opryland Resort in Nashville for work. After walking through that hotel for 6 hours (I must have walked at least 10 miles in those 6 hours!), I got on the elevator with a few irritating, "superstar" teenagers. Seriously, take off your mirrored aviator sunglasses inside an elevator!!! Anyway, later that night I happened to be watching Nashville Star in my hotel room (with the balcony overlooking all the palm trees INSIDE one of the hotel atruims!) and there they were----the kids in the elevator were singing their hearts out on tv with Wynonna Judd!! I should have realized it earlier since the show is filmed at the Opryland Complex but it didnt even register with me after working all day long!

Opryland Resort is ridiculously large and I found leg muscles that I never knew existed. After carrying a 30 pound toddler around for hours, I was pretty sure I could manage anything but Opryland almost beat me!!! My legs STILL hurt, although the massage at the hotel did help a bit! Thats a perk of being a meeting planner----when on a site visit, you are treated well by staff. If the level of service that Opryland showed us this week is indicative of the service they will display at conference time, I am confident that this is going to be a great meeting!!

So, moral of this story---stay away from mirrored aviator sunglass wearing teens (they give you headaches even after only 15 seconds near them)and bring VERY comfy shoes to Nashville in October!

Music City, USA

Entries are on "pause" mode until Thursday this week.

I am taking my first business trip in awhile to Nashville...aka Music City USA...aka the site of my LARGE conference in October. SO while in Nashville, I wont have a chance to update this site. We are staying at the "Redneck Biodome" (aka Opryland) so I am sure I will return with stories of being lost inside the hotel and other crazy adventures of a meeting planner!

Stay tuned!!!

Survival of the Fittest.....Am I Fit?!?!

My sister's bridal shower was this weekend.....and I didnt make it to the end.

If you have followed this blog, you know that I "gave up" my wedding bitterness. Well, I am trying to anyways. Long story short, I am the maid of honor for my sister's wedding in May and the shower was this weekend. We had 36 people there---yes, that is a TON of people for a shower! Grace was there in all her flower girl glory......until she wasnt there! Half way through the shower, she exploded.....from both ends! I ended up leaving the shower in the middle of gift opening to take her home. I just couldnt subject all our friends and family to Grace's crying and sickness anymore.

5 miles from home, she threw up.....all over herself, the car seat, and my car. Now, I can handle toddler runny noses and can even handle blood but I cannot handle throwing up! So here I was, all dresses up from the shower, peeling nasty clothes off my toddler while she is screaming her head off. I had pulled into a gas station to clean her up....I bet all those people filling up their cars thought I was a horrible mother because the screaming was loud and (if I am allowed to say it) a little pitiful sounding! We got home and she has been fine ever since.

So another bridal event has passed and, even though I tried my hardest not to be bitter and to enjoy myself, I didnt survive! Saturday was the longest parenting day so far. I didnt know how to make Gracie feel better, I was emotionally drained from the shower and from taking care of a sick child, and I just had a tough time with it.

No real "moral to the story" here. Just wanted to share my tough day. In the end, I guess I am "fit" because I am here to tell the story today. The hubbt came home from golfing Saturday afternoon and yesterday took over most of the parenting so that I could treat myself to a manicure (thats already chipping!!!).

Bad Mom or Master of Bedtime

Have I mastered this parenting thing or am I still completely un-domestic!?!?!?! Grace gives me mixed signals all the time but tonight was especially confusing!

There is a plastic kitchen in my house that makes all sorts of sounds and Grace loves it! I am counting on her being a good cook as she grows up because I am just now starting to figure out that stove thing in my kitchen! I was helping her make some very appetizing plastic mac and cheese when I asked her if she wanted to make dinner with Mommy. She looked at me with an extremely confused look on her face and promptly handed me the plastic phone attached to her plastic kitchen.

Was that a sign? If so..was it a sign that I shoud stop refering to carry-out/delivery as "cooking dinner"? Or did it mean that my feable attempts at the art of cooking are not being appreciated by the 2 year old? Or maybe I just plain suck at it! I admit though----I did feel like a bad mom at that moment. Shouldnt I be whipping up meals from scratch every night for my family? I mean, come on....after 9 hours at the office, that is the least I can do when I get home, right!? Seriously, I dont want to be the mom who never cooks for her family, that calls "McDonalds" dinner on a weekly basis, and has a beautiful remodeled kitchen (one day this will happen!) that never gets used. I remember coming home to full dinners where my whole family sat at the kitchen table together and talked to each other over real plates and real silverware and (gasp) homecooked food!

Once she was done with the kitchen game, we went upstairs to get ready for bed. Grace was adorable in her "Princess In Training" nightgown and I went about picking up all the clothes scattered across her room. (Here I am again, bad mom for not keeping to baby's room spotless!). All the clothes were away and I was ready to go back downstairs to play some more toddler/bad mom games when I realize something----I may not cook and clean all the time but I have a well trained child when it comes to bedtime! She was standing next to her crib, holding Blankie, and said "I ready Mama". She put herself to bed!!!!!! 30 minutes before scheduled bed time!!!!!!!

I must have done something right along the way (and I dont think cooking and cleaning was it!)

Scary Place, This Toddler-land!

Are You a Slacker Mom?

Your quiz results make you a Pretty in the City Mom.

You might have a subscription to both Parenting Magazine and Vogue.

While picking up a darling Easter outfit for your tyke at Bloomingdale's

you're tempted to grab a pair of Manolo Blahniks for your own tootsies.

You are a fabulous mom, and you take care of yourself fabulously, too.

www.areyouaslackermom.com

Yeah, okay, I do agree with this quiz result. Cute Easter outfit---Grace has special outfits for every holiday (yes, I am THAT mom!). But really, a fabulous mom? Not sure. These days I really feel like I am just "winging it" (as a friend said yesterday!).

When Grace was a baby, I read all the books---What To Expect, Dr Sears's Baby Book, the list goes on and on and on. I could handle teething, ready with sleeping plans, and even reserached each and every piece of baby gear in the house until I could spit out the stats on the stroller and the high chair in my sleep. Now that she is a toddler, I have no clue what is going on! There is a bog world out there in Toddler-land and I must have misplaced my map!

She walks and talks and is too big for her crib now and is starting to be interested in the toilet. What the heck do I do when she throws up? Its never happened before.....what can I give her to eat? Can she eat? Is Motrin okay to give her if she is throwing up---it helps the fever but does it make her nauseus? Ahhhh....so many questions and all the answers are too vague to make sense out of!

Yes, I have What To Expect During The Toddler Years but really! I dont need help on the big problems concerning a toddler packrat (she's 2--of course she wants to bring all her toys with her everywhere you go!) or all the issues surrounding the toddler not wanting to wear shoes (have you seen some of those kid shoes out there---they are ugly; I dont blame those kids!). Its the big things I feel lost about. How do you discipline a 23 month old? Does she understand the "Naughty Step"? Doe she even know what the hell you are talking about when you tell her that something is not nice or makes Mommy sad?

Personally, the baby days were so much easier for me---all those little ones need is a boob every few hours, a blanket to be swaddled in, and a pacifier so Mommy can have a break! Sign me up for that; I can handle it---after all those books, I am an expert. But toddler-land is foregin to me. So Grace and I and Bill are walking through the forest haoping that we make it to the other side! But then again, whats on the other side? Is it scarier than this place or better? Hmmmmm......can we just freeze time here? maybe I can catch up and live in toddler-land forever. At least I would have time to read all the books and get really good at toddler-speak!

Sick toddler=Tired Mommy

Monday was a long day at my house! I was out the door 10 minutes late for day care dropoff and when we got there, Grace decided it was the perfect time to get sick---all over her "dry clean only" coat! Afghani (my day care provider) thought it was just something she ate so Grace stayed at day care---no fever=day care for Grace! By the time I drove 5 miles to the train to get to work, I got the call----"Grace has been sick twice already. You need to pick her up!". Damn---couldnt she have done that later in the day so I could at least get to the office! I turned around and called in to work.

Its always nice to have to call in with a sick child on my 2nd full week at the job. Luckily, I found a job that understands---seriously! My boss said to me "Okay, no problem. Dont worry about things here. Just take care of your baby girl!". I LOVE my job! So, yesterday was spent at home with a toddler who ran a temp of 102 degrees all day long. She didnt get sick once we got home though. Maybe it was her way of telling me that she wanted a "Mommy Day". That was okay with me. Even if I spent the day with a cranky sick toddler, I enjoyed the time at home with her.

We did venture out to the doctor's office though. In trying to keep Grace entertained in the waiting room (we got there 10 minutes early and werent called into the office for an hour!) I actually met some nice, neighborly people (yes they do exist!). Grace decided that she was done with the crayons so she promptly picked up the large container of them and threw it. At least 100 crayons went flying through the air and landed all over the waiting room floor! Several people (all parents or teachers from the look of it!) got up to help me pick them all up. But Grace wasnt done yet---once we got them picked up, she did it again! Ahh, the joys of a 2 year old. Once we got back to the exam room and we were waiting AGAIN for the doctor, Grace was hanging out in her Dora Pullups and thought it would be fashionable to wear her jacket and shoes as well. So, when the doc walked in, there I was reading a Dora book to my daughter who was proudly wearing her diaper, sneakers, and a bright pink winter jacket with fake fur on all the edges. Maybe its the next toddler fashion trend---who knows!? Regradless, we both survived the sick day and back to day care today!

(BTW--can I mention that one day at home with a sick toddler is so much more exhausting than working all day at the office and then going home to do "home-work"!?)

Git Er Done~

My sides still hurt from laughing so hard. I am still paranoid that a camera is taping my every move. And, I still think its hysterical that Ron White forgot his lines but I cant figure out of that was part of his act or he was just drunk! Blue Collar Comedy Tour stopped in DCt his weekend and we had a great time last night!

I must mention, however, that some stereotypes hold true. It was as if there was a "Larry the Cable Guy" look alike contest going on during the show. But the best was a man sitting in the row in front of me and down a few seats. He walked in and I started crying I was laughing so hard. Black cowboy hat (well worn I must say) with a bolero around it that hung about 6 inches off the back. It flowed pretty well with his long, stringy gray hair that was ties into a ponytail. And then he turned around!!!!! His mustache was not simply a Jeff Foxworthy style mustache. The mustache was also gray and stringy and extended past his chin on both sides of his chin! FANTASTIC!

The show was great, the people watching was fun, and the show was hysterical! A good night out for Mom and Dad!

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

Happy St Patrick's Day!!!! My mother is a "Crowley", my grandmother is a "Taft", and my brother's name is "Brian Patrick"....anyone guess----I am Irish! So today I am sporting my green attire and the Shepard's Pie recipe is ready to be made tonight for dinner. Oh, and of course, the Guiness in chiling in the beer fridge!

Erin Go Braugh!

Let's test your Irish knowledge (just for fun---sorry, no prize today!): What does the following Irish phrase mean? "Scileann fíon fírinne". (Bonus points if you also know the translation of Erin Go Braugh).

(By the way, if wearing green is all I have to do to get lucky these days, I am going to have to buy an entirely green wardrobe. I may look like Kermit the Frog somedays but hell, it will be worth it!)

New Blog

For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I just started a new job and am in the midst of a transition with my career.....same industry, different sector.

Anyway, I have started another blog to talk about that transition and other meeting/event related topics. It is listed on the sidebar for you---Meetings Metamorphosis.

I will continue SuperMom04 to talk about all the trials. tribulations, and terrific-ness (is that even a word?!) of being a parent but will transfer all the "wrok-talk" to the meetings blog. Visit me!

One for Each Year of My Life

I saw this over at PajamaMama and thought it could be fun so here it goes! If you are reading this, consider yourself TAGGED---post this on your site and leave me a comment so I can come check out what you wrote!

There is one sentence/memory for every year of my life---in order and they occured in that year (i.e. #1 occured in the first year of my life).

Okay, here it goes!

1. My father had to miss Battlestar Galactica so he could take my mother to the hospital to give birth to wonderful me! I still hear about that!

2. First steps, first tooth, first solid food. Busy year for a little baby!

3. I waved an America Flag and wore a yellow ribbon when the hostages came home.

4. My days as an only child end with the arrival of my baby sister. I fell down the stairs and broke my arm...for the first time.

5. At preschool, my first little preschool "boyfriend" teaches me how to put my coat on by flipping it over my head!

6. Kindergarten---I wore a Care Bears outfit and was mad at my mom for days; there were 4 other kids in my class with my same name but they were all boys! I thought my mom named me a boy's name!

7. My first year on swim team! I was great at backstroke and was on all the little kid relay teams. My ribbons are still in a box at my parents house.

8. My first cheerleading coach, Joe Dash, was also my 2nd grade teacher. He let us raise frogs in the classroom. Joe remained an important part of my family until he passed away from AIDS when I was in 8th grade.

9. My little brother was born that summer. It was also my introduction to the chocolate cigars sold at the hospital giftshop.

10. We moved to another town in the middle of the school year. I was so mad at my parents!

11. This was the year of New Kids On The Block. Every Friday was "NKOTB Day" and me and all my firends wore our NKOTB gear to school. I broke my arm again this year when I tripped over the pavement of a friend's driveway at 5 am on the way to swim practice.

12. Sixth grade was my favorite year of school. We were the Dodgeball Champs and were quite proud of our trophy----a coffee can mounted on a piece of wood and spraypainted gold. Super tacky but boy, did we all love it!

13. This is the last time I have been camping. I went to summer camp on Cape Cod for a month---rode horses, swam in a nasty lake, and got my very first kiss at the boys camp across the lake. I dont even remember his name!

14. The first time my friends Laura and I were allowed to have boys over on the weekend to "hang out", our fathers sat on the front porch drinking Sam Adams and cleaning Luara's dad's shotgun! I know people joke about that all the time, but it really happened to me!

15. High school----Freshman year was fun. I made the varsity tennis team and thought I was SO cool because my first date was with a senior! We went to Bennigans and then to see Mrs Doubtfire!

16. My first car was a Dodge Neon---green with confetti printed interior. My heart was broken for the first time and I made the cheerleading squad. Sophomore year was a roller coaster!

17. I fell in love for the first time. He wrote my name on a case of Red Dog beer and I was hooked! We dated for 5 years on and off so it must have been the beer!

18. Bye bye virginity, high school, Virginia, and all the comforts (or not) of home. Hello SC!

19. My first apartment and taste of real freedom.....not necessarily a good thing. I also got my first "D"---ouch!

20. Can I skip this one!?!?!??!?! Its really depressing and if I could delete it from my life, I would.

21. Remember the movie "Coyote Ugly"? Its one of my favorite to this day. I wored at a bar modeled like Coyote Ugly. Dont get any crazy ideas----if you saw the movie, I was very much like Lil, the manager/boss. But I still have my red snakeskin cowboys boots to show for it.

22. I came home to VA, didnt tell my parents I was living 5 miles from their house, and started working in DC. That is where I was on 09/11/01......a block from the White House!

23. The year my life changed forever----I met my (now) husband wearing leather pants and knee high black boots. Me, not him!

24. Now this was the whirlwind year of my life....moved out of my parents house, got engaged, got pregnant, and got married. Hey---why wait..just do it all in one year!

25. Life really is revolving door. My husband and I were with my mother in law when she passed away. 2 weeks later, she sent us our little angel Grace to keep us company! Parenthood changed me more then any other experience so far.

26. Bill and I started renovating his childhood home-----a lot more fun than it looks sometimes. And I finally fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans!!!!

27. Now for this year....2006....My birthday is in 3 weeks. And finally, it seems that things are coming together. I have friends I love to be around, my mother and I are getting along better (not perfect but better), I finally have a job that I enjoy again (I know its only been 5 days but my instinct is that this was a good move!), and I couldnt ask for a more loving husband or adorable daughter.

Buffett or Bust!

August 3, 2006. Parking lot opens at noon, show starts at 8 pm. Recover on August 4. Jimmy Buffett is coming to town!!!!!

After putting Gracie down for a nap, I sat in the home office for 30 minutes getting both computers synched up to Ticketmaster, had the phone ready to re-dial the Ticketmaster 1-800 number, and had a cup of Hawaiian Kona coffee in front of me to keep me energized! So, I was all set up at home, Allie had the same set up at work, and Dave---well, he forgot but thats another part of the story! At the moment the clock turned to 10 am, tickets were available. My first try----computer timed out!!!! I hit refresh and started again-----at 10:08 am, I got the message that "there are no tickets available". Sold out in 8 minutes----not bad! Luckily, Allie is a champ at getting concert tickets and she walked away wtih 6 lawn tickets!!!!

Now it is time to get ready for the show! (Yes it does take a few months to prepare---after all, we are going to be in the parking lot for 8 hours!). Out of curiosity, what is your favorite Buffett song???? Its toss up for me---"Little Miss Magic" is Grace's song (we sang it to her when she was a baby) but I personally am a HUGE fan of "Fins".

Fins Up!

1st Day Report

Ever notice that on big days in your life an alarm clock is unnecessary?I set my alarm for 6 am. By the time it was time for that annping buzzing to start, I was already awake, out of bed, and in the shower. I am not a fan of early mornings----I firnly believe that if it is still dark outside, I should still be in my bed asleep-----but I managed to beat my alarm clock this morning. In fact, it was Working Mom's Twilight Zone here. Grace stayed asleep long enough for me to dry my hair, change my outfit at least 4 times, and do my makeup (this last step is normally performed in the car at stoplights). As soon as I was done, I heard "Mama! Mama" from the crib down the hall. Seriously, I have the perfect child!

Today was fantastic! The office is so different than what I am used to---much less formal than the corporate environments, I already see where I fit into the team, and am already working on meetings. hose of you who followed me through the last career move know that the biggest issue was lack of work......I like to actually DO my job when I am at work! Anyways, I am already knee deep in to do lists for the annual meeting, have a site visit planned for the end of this month, and on my first day of work, I was already asked for my opinions/thoughts/experiences regarding certain aspects of the meeting. It felt great!

Friday will be even better-----JEANS FRIDAY! Yes, folks, we get to wear jeans to work on Fridays! I havent worn jeans to the "office" since I worked at Old Navy 10 years ago! :)

So after one day, I am already feeling good about this new job. I see some challenges ahead but I cant wait to go after them!

Tomorrow is another day!

Tomorrow is the big day----the first day of the next chapter in my "outside the house" job. I am feeling a little nervous, a lot of anticipation for what is to come, and a TON of excitement.

I took a few days off between jobs for some "Jaime-time". Wow---after 3 days at home, I feel relaxed, a whole lot less tense, and ready to take on the world. What did I do with my Jaime-time. Grace went to day care every day so that I could get some things done. Each morning I thought about keeping her home for the day but decided against it. I didnt want to interrupt her schedule and honestly----could I really have gotten everything done with her home all day? ((Kudos to you SAHMs who manage to do it all!!!)) The entire first floor of my house is clean, the bedrooms are all clean, and Grace's bathroom sparkles from all the bleach, etc used in there this week!!!

Tonight, I am hom alone (hubby went to the hockey game with all the boys) getting ready for my first day of work. Remember the first day of school? That was the longest night for me when I was a kid---I could never fall asleep! Believe it or not, I didnt dread it like other people I knew. I was excited about the possibilites the new year could bring, nervous about making friends and wearing the right clothes (SO important in high school!), and scared out of my mind that I wouldnt fit in! All those feelings are rushing back to me tonight. Its funny how even though we get older----we get married, become mothers, etc-----new things/experiences scare the hell out of us.

How am I going to handle this you might be asking (if you arent asking, well I am asking!). I really believe that this new job can be the beginning of the "New and Improved jaime!". I am going to arrive at the office confident and positive. We have a staff meeting tomorrow so that I can meet everyone in the office. At that meeting, I intend to be socialable, outspoken (not in negaitve pushy way but in a strong confident woman way), and cheerful---yes folks, I am going to be that girl who sits in the front row and answers all of the teachers' questions!

Did your mom make you a special lunch for the first day of school or let you wear a brand new outfit to the first day or even leave little notes in your backpack for you to find in your first class of the day? Mine did. Man----wish we still got those little touches on the first day of a new job!

Wish me luck! :)

Pleasure in fingertips!

I have a few days off before I start the new chapter in my career....the career out of the house! So I took advantage of the time today and got my hair cut. I have been seeing the same hairdresser since I was in high school----Dennis. He has LONG flaming red curly hair and better nails than I can dream of! The first time he cut my hair WAY back when he did it while I had my head flipped upside down. I cried the entire time but it was the best hair cut I have ever had!!! He quickly gained my loyalty and now I see him at least twice a year (any more than that and I would be broke!). He is lightening fast with scissors so I lovingly call him "Dennis Scissorhands".

Anyways, I sat down in the chair today to get my hair washed and around the corner walks a much-tattooed, young, obviously gay (dont be offended!!!) adorable guy. Yes, folks, he was the hair washer!!!! And his fingertips were magic! The best part of the entire experience today was the head massage during the vitamin conditioner treatment. Oh girls----we should all have one of these guys in our homes!!!!!

My scalp has never thanked me so much!!!!!

Babies, Birds, and Books

Well, we survived a road trip with a 2 year old! Actually, it wasnt that bad. Grace had a rough time in the car yesterday on the way home but who can blame her?!?! I was sick of being in the car too!! All in all, a fun trip to Pittsburgh.

We "dined" on Primanti Brothers sandwiches, O's Famous Hot Dogs, and spent time with Baby Galen.














Pittsburgh is home to the National Aviary, where we saw some incredible birds including a bald eagle who lost her left wing. She is HUGE! Grace chased a few stange looking birds around the greenhouse area.














We also stopped by the Children's Museum where the storybook character "Arthur" had his whole town set up; Grace is so smart---spent most of her time there in Arthur's library!

















Just wanted to share a bit of our trip with everyone! Enjoy!

Pittsburgh or Bust!

We are taking Gracie on a road trip today to Pittsburgh. A friend of ours had a baby boy about a month ago so we are taking the pilgrimage to the Steel City for a visit.

What I am looking forward to-----Primanti Brothers sandwiches (you know what I mean if you have ever had one!), Terrible Towels (I know its not football season but they DID win the SUper Bowl!).

However, not too sure about how the drive up there will be with a 2 year old active little girl. I have loaded the car up with snacks, toys, and drinks so wish me luck!!!

More on Monday when we return!

To Be (Plastic) or Not To Be?

Apparently, all of us Super Moms are turning plastic. What exactly qualifies someone as deserving of a plastic doll inspired by them? Hmmmmm.....check this out!?

http://www.happyworker.com/about/pics/SuperMom_overview.jpg

The Finale

Goodbye cubicle. Goodbye short commute. Goodbye clients. Goodbye frustaration and boredom. Goodbye government meeting planning.

I am closing the current chapter of my career and wow---I feel great! A few months ago, I decided to take a leap of faith and changed companies. It was the right thing to do (timing was good, etc). However, the impression I was given during my interview was not what actually occurred in "real life". I have worked very hard the last few years to gain experience, build a solid network in the industry, and to stay on top of all the trends in the industry. If I can say so myself, I have done very well and am an excellent meetings/event planner. The last 6 months in this position has not afforded me a single chance to use my skills. They needed an entry level assistant, not an experienced planner. At this point in my career, I am just not ready to sit idle at my job. I want more....I want to be challenged, I want to stretch my knowledge, I want to actually plan meetings/events (imagine that!).

So I started looking for new positions. I looked in all the different sectors of the industry and landed a position in the association planning arena. Associations, in general, offer so much more for meeting/event planners in long term career advancement. Its a great opportunity for me and I cant wait to start. Today is the last day in my government planning career. Next Thursday is the start of a new me. The first day at a new job is so hard. But I also see it as an opportunity for me. I can leave all the frustaration, etc behind me and start anew with a new office, new colleagues, and a new career path.

Hello office with a door and a window. Hello longer commute. Hello new challenges. Hello new sector of the planning industry. Hello more travel. Hello new me!!!!

BTW---So excited because I already have my first trip planned with the new company in March!! Nashville---here I come!!!!!

Think Before You Shop

Sometimes humor is found in the most unexpected places!

Disturbing Baby Clothes

Mommy Wars

I was planning on posting something totally different than this but......I have something to say and here it is: Can't we all just get along!!!????

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AmericanFamily/story?id=1648502&page=1 This is an article on ABCnews.com. I hate everything that the article says about Mommy Wars and think that it makes all of us look like selfish people. In fact, if you know anyone who is a parent, then you know that no parent has the time or the option to be selfish!!

The Mommy Wars are alive and well and RIDICULOUS! Whether you are a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) or a working mom or a combination of both, you are doing the best you can for your child, your family, and whatever particular situation you are in.

I chose to be a working mom. It is the best thing for my family. While there are days that I wish I could stay home with my daughter, I know deep down that the decision to work outside the home is the best for us. I have friends who work at home, friends who are SAHMs, and friends who work outside the home. And I can say that each of these women struggle with their decision every day, face challenges every day, and at the end of the day, each of them knows that they are doing the best they can for their child/ren.

We are all in the same boat. So how about we stop criticizing all the other mothers and just support each other? Being a mom (or a dad) is hard enough so why all the hard feelings towards each other?! I really dont want this to sound like a "Kumbaya" post but seriously!!!!! Every parent makes decisions for their family. Let's not critcize other people's decisions without knowing why they made that decision. In fact, let's help each other through the tough days. My SAHM friends complain that they miss adult conversation during the day and my working mom friends (and me) complain that they miss their child/ren during the day. Instead of talking about each other and being so damn negative, why dont we help wach other through these struggles?!?!?!

We all have our own internal struggles with our working-or-stay-home decision. Do we need to make it harder on ourselves by criticizing every other mother we know? Does the media really need to make it worse by writing articles/new casts such as ABC's? I think not.

This mother is proud of her decision, of her family, and of herself for making the decision to work outside the home. This mother is also proud of her friends that have made different decisions. We all have fantastic children and are becoming better mothers with each passing day.

So there it is, my rant of the day!