The Gift of Flexibility

Some of you may have noticed that I often don't blog on Wednesdays. And the reason isn't any particular aversion to Wednesdays-- just the fact that Ben actually works from home on Wednesdays, which means that he is on the computer for the bulk of the day. I realize that a lot of women (and men) out there who take care of kids don't have flexibility because they can't-- because their partner is working a full-time job and they don't have the option of getting extra help, because of economic necessity. And in many ways right now, we don't have much flexibility financially, which means that were I to want to have more permanent child-care help (like a few days ago when I was feeling totally overwhelmed by parenting a toddler-- which, btw, has totally smoothed out over the last few days), it wouldn't be an option.

But honestly, just getting a little breather on Wednesdays is awesime, and totally powers me through the week. We try to be good about not bugging/distracting Ben during the work day. But having breakfast together, having a little help while I'm getting ready in the morning, being able to pop out with Zosia while Lily naps in the morning (last week we went swimming! this week not so sexy... just target), is such a huge gift. And really, I think that sort of having people around is a much more natural way of doing things than the way our culture does it, where generally the woman stays by herself and the children. In most cultures, there are aunts/uncles/cousins/grandparents living under the same roof, or even in the same room. That idea of having a community of support is something that is so hard to recreate, even with the help of moms groups and kiddie reading times and music classes.

So every Wednesday I give thanks for the added flexibility that an extra pair of hands affords, and don't mind not checking my email.