tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post7887147529598058658..comments2024-03-27T10:29:06.518-04:00Comments on A Natural Scientist: Summer of My DiscontentJenny F. Scientisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07072624674603337551noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-78097517315872066902012-08-12T12:13:18.654-04:002012-08-12T12:13:18.654-04:00I agree with all the others on the education thing...I agree with all the others on the education thing. I had this time where I worried that my kids wouldn't learn to walk because I didn't have time to do that hold them by the hands and walk around thing all the parents of singletons were doing at the park (we do the swings pretty much only).<br />But you know what, one has it figured out and the other is well on his way, because of the whole great desire to do things and our generation being the first who are obsessed with perfect parenting bit.<br /><br />On the job I commiserate, I have various options available to me in terms of part time, staying hme for a bit, etc but somehow I can't seem to decide which if any will make me happy. Damned if you do damned if you dont,Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11869813213951981071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-21824222814428553302012-08-07T15:51:41.140-04:002012-08-07T15:51:41.140-04:00Speaking of things that make you feel good about y...Speaking of things that make you feel good about your parenting choices, I highly recommend listening to the Freakonomics podcast, "An Economist's guide to parenting" from 08/17/2011. It's not letting me paste the website for some reason, but I think you'll be able to find it.<br /><br />The arborvitae have quite shallow root systems, judging from some I've dug up already. Which might have clued me in that I should water them, when it didn't rain for 6 weeks. Ah, I never liked them anyway.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276995787173932700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-27484754197066251562012-08-07T15:34:17.747-04:002012-08-07T15:34:17.747-04:00I'm under the impression that what (sane, dece...I'm under the impression that what (sane, decent, considerate) parents do and worry about makes much less of a difference than we might wish. Ah, well. And yes! A whole year and I feel EXACTLY THE SAME! I wouldn't wish away the children, but it is a little <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_Day_%28film%29%22" rel="nofollow">Groundhog Day</a> around here.Jenny F. Scientist, PhDhttp://naturalscientist.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-61430449971385937542012-08-07T15:32:49.108-04:002012-08-07T15:32:49.108-04:00We always joked that scientists have a very flexib...We always joked that scientists have a very flexible schedule: we can work whichever 60 hours a week we want. <br /><br />I think in effect we have that division of labor: I take care of food, children, laundry, and anything involving sewing, and Dr. S takes care of everything else. I guess I just FEEL like I should do more. <br /><br />There is a time limit: we are leaving next summer, come hell or high water, as it were. I mostly like housewifery, except for the... poverty...Jenny F. Scientist, PhDhttp://naturalscientist.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-22725061398660383272012-08-07T15:29:53.032-04:002012-08-07T15:29:53.032-04:00The sentiment is not original to me, but I'm g...The sentiment is not original to me, but I'm glad to hear he's keeping up the side. :)Jenny F. Scientist, PhDhttp://naturalscientist.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-63357920666875035722012-08-07T15:27:33.038-04:002012-08-07T15:27:33.038-04:00I think part of it is the long-slow-motion effect ...I think part of it is the long-slow-motion effect of small children. Yes, in four more years Tatoe will be in kindergarten... but four years seems like forever at this point. Plus I'm imagining doing Age Three all over again (SHUDDER). One day, my children will be older and I will be able to do more. I'll just keep repeating that.Jenny F. Scientist, PhDhttp://naturalscientist.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-87898316174891011242012-08-07T15:26:29.818-04:002012-08-07T15:26:29.818-04:00Requesting book from library! See, you're gre...Requesting book from library! See, you're great because Child 1 is older, so you already had this existential crisis a couple years ago. (I like your kids too, and they're very funny little critters.)<br /><br />I have a similarly long never-getting-done list. (I also have a garden pickaxe if you want to borrow it for the arborvitae.) Children: so high-maintenance.Jenny F. Scientist, PhDhttp://naturalscientist.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-76395258142723559262012-08-06T16:00:34.901-04:002012-08-06T16:00:34.901-04:00Bah. It sucks that you're still stuck in the s...Bah. It sucks that you're still stuck in the same situation a year later. We have a "similar but different" problem, yet I don't have any helpful suggestions... Your kids will be fine, I'm sure. On the job issue I agree with bunny. Fingers crossed for new opportunities opening up.Ameliehttp://amelies-welt.de/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-47818164987787757712012-08-06T14:18:05.889-04:002012-08-06T14:18:05.889-04:00*Enfolds you in sympathetic embrace*
I know loads ...*Enfolds you in sympathetic embrace*<br />I know loads of people don't agree with me, but I happen to think that taking care of the babies and keeping the baby laundry done, and cleaning up after meals = working 9-5. I.e., cleaning the entire house, making all the food = 50% your problem, 50% not your problem. That was our agreement when I was staying at home, anyway, and I think it's fair. Of course, I realize this may not be practically possible for you guys. If the spouse has an insane job then you can't divide all the labor, so maybe it's just a fantasy for most couples. (We live in a fantasy land of two flexible schedules.)<br /><br />I also agree vehemently, nay, PASSIONATELY, with the first commenter about you not needing no stinking Educational Time. Life is education enough, man. He will learn whatever else he needs by the time he needs it, through the power of wanting to on his own, or I will eat this entire bottle of Tums. <br /><br />All of which is just to say that you are doing everything right. As for the job situation, I can't help but think that if the spouse wants to be an academic and you want to be a housewife, then you being a consultant and him being a househusband sounds like a shitty deal for all. Which might end up feeling like a better deal than lingering forever in the current situation, but hey.bunnyhttp://glumbunny.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-15380075470734434232012-08-06T11:18:12.222-04:002012-08-06T11:18:12.222-04:00It's a damned if you do, damned if you don'...It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation, sounds like. Maybe it's something you can do once the kids go to school or something?Alyssahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01695509619557410413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-7201775711945207142012-08-06T09:34:35.175-04:002012-08-06T09:34:35.175-04:00I also love your definition of troubleshooter, it ...I also love your definition of troubleshooter, it reminds me of my husband :)Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276995787173932700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650952.post-70439138221378119822012-08-06T09:33:00.088-04:002012-08-06T09:33:00.088-04:00"The Power of Play" might make you feel ..."The Power of Play" might make you feel a little less angst. Child development research proves you're doing everything right by not having a ton of scheduled things, and Bug is developing quite well, as anyone can see. Having dinner ready-ish is important too, and I aspire to it every day. (Last week I totally bought a roasted chicken from the grocery store. I served it with boxed mashed potatoes and sweet corn. So, yeah. At least it's also become chicken and dumplings, and tonight, broth for carrot soup.)<br />My house is in tornado-stage at the moment, I can't remember the last time I vacuumed, and I can't see the surface of my kitchen desk. I want to make chocolate beet muffins, mock apple crisp, apple sauce, tomato sauce, and chicken stock. Not to mention, I need to cut down/dig out 11 dead arborvitae, (they apparently need water in a drought) build some more raised beds, get a bunch of compost, and plant things in my backyard. *sigh* Not happening today, the cleaning and cooking needs to come first. Ah, yes, and the taking care of children...<br />You're a great mom, your kids are lovely, and it's normal to have a messy house and feel angst.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276995787173932700noreply@blogger.com