2008 Woodie Awards
Humor: Mother's have it maid
Deborah Chessey
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: Opinion
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At one point during my college career a young lady said to me, "You are so lucky to be married and have kids. It must be so cool not to work." I assured her that she was correct. Being a mother instead of working a part time job? I am living the life of Riley.
If I worked a part time job- as well as going to school- I would only have a few free hours a day to do as I wished. Because I have three children, I don't have to wonder about my free time. My children already have it figured out for me. Instead of working a job where I catch a paycheck, I get to be responsible for raising three tiny people into responsible citizens. No pressure there! I am here to tell you that potty training a toddler is not only easier than retail sales; it's also a lot more fun.
There are many aspects of college that are easier for those of us who are parents. For example, writing a term paper is a whole lot easier with a toddler on your lap. Sure, the baby reaches for the keys, but that isn't nearly as distracting as a roommate who watches, "I Love New York."
And kids, they are so cute when they throw themselves on the floor and cry for no apparent reason-not at all like those annoying roommates who want to take you out for a night of dinner and dancing. Here is a little known fact about parenting: walking the floor with a teething baby is easier than doing body shots.
I remember when I used to have a roommate and she and I each bought our own groceries. What a hassle. Now that I am a mother, I don't have to worry about my roommate paying for half of the groceries. I get to buy all of the groceries! I am aware that my children will not only eat everything out of the fridge and cupboards, they will also munch the food directly off of my plate. I don't have to watch my diet like I used to because with three children in the house I can be assured that my chocolate stash has been removed and that the ice cream container is empty.
It wasn't just the grocery situation that was a hassle, either. There was also the stress of having another adult in the house who cared about cleanliness. There is a certain amount of freedom that every parent feels when they survey their living room and see that it has been taken over by stuffed animals and Legos. We enjoy washing clothes that our kids will throw on the floor and cleaning up the little muddy foot prints that children track across the floor? Adorable.
I agreed with the young lady who suggested I had it made because I don't have to work, primarily because I am evil and I thought it would be fun to speak with her after she gets married and has a child of her own. Hopefully, she will feel the tingle deep in the cockles of her heart that all mothers feel when it is suggested that they are lucky that they don't have to work.
If I worked a part time job- as well as going to school- I would only have a few free hours a day to do as I wished. Because I have three children, I don't have to wonder about my free time. My children already have it figured out for me. Instead of working a job where I catch a paycheck, I get to be responsible for raising three tiny people into responsible citizens. No pressure there! I am here to tell you that potty training a toddler is not only easier than retail sales; it's also a lot more fun.
There are many aspects of college that are easier for those of us who are parents. For example, writing a term paper is a whole lot easier with a toddler on your lap. Sure, the baby reaches for the keys, but that isn't nearly as distracting as a roommate who watches, "I Love New York."
And kids, they are so cute when they throw themselves on the floor and cry for no apparent reason-not at all like those annoying roommates who want to take you out for a night of dinner and dancing. Here is a little known fact about parenting: walking the floor with a teething baby is easier than doing body shots.
I remember when I used to have a roommate and she and I each bought our own groceries. What a hassle. Now that I am a mother, I don't have to worry about my roommate paying for half of the groceries. I get to buy all of the groceries! I am aware that my children will not only eat everything out of the fridge and cupboards, they will also munch the food directly off of my plate. I don't have to watch my diet like I used to because with three children in the house I can be assured that my chocolate stash has been removed and that the ice cream container is empty.
It wasn't just the grocery situation that was a hassle, either. There was also the stress of having another adult in the house who cared about cleanliness. There is a certain amount of freedom that every parent feels when they survey their living room and see that it has been taken over by stuffed animals and Legos. We enjoy washing clothes that our kids will throw on the floor and cleaning up the little muddy foot prints that children track across the floor? Adorable.
I agreed with the young lady who suggested I had it made because I don't have to work, primarily because I am evil and I thought it would be fun to speak with her after she gets married and has a child of her own. Hopefully, she will feel the tingle deep in the cockles of her heart that all mothers feel when it is suggested that they are lucky that they don't have to work.
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