Yup - a real honest to goodness job with people and lunch breaks and even that bad stench of cheap coffee in the air come five o'clock. (Well, maybe they have nice coffee, but when it's been sitting in a pot for hours on end, it all smells the same.)
I have to admit I'm elated. It's 24 hours/week which means that on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays I'll get to don a new writing cap. I'll have the challenge of working with a marketing cmpany, writing about their brands, and then being the liaison between the consumer and the client. With my chatty nature and decent typing skills, this is a perfect fit.
I'm perhaps most impressed with how much Rex has stepped up to the plate. I knew he'd be thrilled at my one-stop solution to pay off some debt, but I didn't anticipate how readily he would assume the dad role. After all, he goes to work each morning at 8 and comes home at 5 - - - I'd have to find some moms from school to fill in a few days/week, right?
Wrong.
"I'll go in at 5 those mornings and pick the kids up from school," he offered immediately.
For once in my life I was speechless. He continued, "You'll give me a list of numbers I'll need in case of emergencies, we'll food shop together on Sunday and meal prep."
I finally cut him off..."But... I won't be home until 6:30. That's so late for dinner," I said.
"Andrea, on those three nights, I will feed them dinner. I will get them ready for bed. You will kiss them good night."
"But... but... I"M THEIR MOTHER!" I shrieked. "Aren't I kind of abandoning them?"
"Yup," he added. "Right into the careful arms of their father who will GET THEM TO BED ON TIME."
That last part was kind of a dig, but I was liking what I was hearing. He was right of course. Why do I have to be the one who does everything child related? Why can't he hold down the fort a few nights a week, giving them some much needed Papa time?
"The one thing I ask you, Andrea, is to not dictate how I do this." He gave me that look. "Let me do it my way."
"There's the rub," I thought to myself. His way will be sending them off to do homework while he works on the lap top and...and....after school... he'll forget their sippy cups and they'll be parched with thirst and dehydrate and ... this was a bad idea." I'd give it two weeks.
I figured I had better talk to the kids - prepare them for the fact that Papa would be picking them up from school tomorrow. I braced for tears and shrieks. Instead, I got cheers and war whoops.
"Hooray for Papa!"
I was thrilled. "Is it because you love him so much and are so happy to spend time with him?"
"Yeah!" My son yelled, "And he has a TV in his car!!!!!!!!!!!"
Like Daylight Savings, times are-a-changin' indeed.
Moments ago, I slid over to Rex, reminding him about our planned
rendezous tonight. His response? "Okay, but it had better be
soon. I've got a full day with the kids tomorrow."
Now wait just a second....
* Photo of Rex with Pipsqueak. Yeah, she seems really miserable with him.
Posted by Andrea Frazer
Good Housekeeping
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