Yesterday The Poo and I stole away for some time alone.
We gleefully cruised the aisles of Toys R’ Us, gift cards in our hot little hands, looking for a pool for her Barbies. We found it, and she’s spent at least three hours outside with her ragtag band of dolls—Ariel, the veterinarian (she wore her stethoscope in the water), Beach Barbie—making up stories and playing all by herself.
Shaggy is about as grumpy as a 7-month-old can be. He’s locomoting all over the house, eating lint and bitching because he can’t walk. Crawling just isn’t cutting it for him, you see, and he’s praticing pulling up on everything he can find.
Like my legs.
We made it through Mass last night by the skin of our collective teeth, and got the kids to bed in at a decent hour. I’m not sleeping well, thanks to my knee and my never-ending Long List of Worries and so when The Poo climbed into our bed at 7 a.m. demanding to go downstairs, I groaned and covered my face with a pillow.
So everything is completely normal this weekend. Thank God.
No bad news, nothing interesting to report.
I don’t mind being uninteresting. Because I have a feeling that the coming weeks could bring all manner of Interesting to this household.
Spring break is this week, and I am without a babysitter. I planned for a light work week, in order to actually be what I always intended to be—a mother.
A mother who actually, like, plays with her kids. Not a mother who stands at the computer keyboard and does her best to keep the animals fed, watered and clean.
The weatherman says it’s going to rain all week, but I don’t care one whit. I’m going to be on vacation, gray skies or sunny.
So how was your weekend?
***
I’m writing two stories this week, and I need your help. If anyone has cut their maternity leave short, or is planning to cut it short, please email me.
I am also looking for parents who are cutting back or changing their summer camp plans because of the recession. Or anyone who has tips for containing the cost of summer camps. Will you email me, please, if this sounds like you?
C’mon, don’t make me beg.
OK. I’m begging. Pretty please?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Summer camps! Right up my alley.
If family vacation plans are zippo because of the economy – think summer camp! The kids will have a blast and the parents get the house to themselves for a week.
Shop around for summer camps. Camps that are sponsored by youth agencies like Camp Fire and Girl Scouts can be less expensive that privately owned camps. Some camps offer camper discounts if a parent volunteers but be prepared to participate in some training and have a background check.
Safety first. Ask about the availability of a nurse or doc on site. Ask what the camps policy is on meds and special diets for allergies. (All meds should be in the care of the on site staff) Ask about camper/staff ratios and overall camper supervision. Ask if there are policies in place for clothes changing, showers, swimming and how campers are supervised at night. Ask how the camp administration monitors activities and what access campers have to the administrative staff. Make sure that the camp groups campers by grade. Ask if the camp requires background checks and references done on all staff.
Try to match the camps mission and philosophy with your family values. For instance some camps encourage competition others may not. Some camps give kids the opportunity to become a member of a group where they learn to respect and appreciate differences and practice leadership.
Remember that summer camps don’t have to have tennis courts, heat in the cabins or a computer lab. Think back to basics and giving your kids an electronics free week to get in some good old-fashioned play.
Heck, I would love to have you and The Poo (she could buddy up with my granddaughter) come to my camp this summer – especially if you would be willing to do a class on journal writing or short story writing or whatever.
Kathy
I like times where it seems normal, even though it may not be. It gives me hope.
I hope things get better for you.
…
I cut my maternity leave short for both of my kids. If I can help, I’d be happy to.
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It sounds to me like you’ve planned a great week.
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