If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy
Dear Lissu,
Ah yes – gender equality. Here in the U.S., the 19th Amendment to the Constitution gave us – women, that is – the right to vote. As I remember, that was 1920. So, we voted and were perfectly happy. And then, all of a sudden in the 1970’s, we got ”women’s liberation”. We could burn our bras. We could open our own doors. We could stand on the subway. I remember that we were so liberated that one time I went for my annual check-up to the gynecologist, and he asked if I wanted to see my cervix. Well, actually, I had never seen my liver or my gallbladder, and mostly I just wanted to get up and get dressed – so I passed up that liberating moment. (I would like to see just one doctor ask just one man if he wants to see his prostate!)
But I think one of the most important things we got was the ability to say: ”You know what? I have a brain and as much as I love my children, I need to get out of the house for a few hours. My kids are gorgeous, gifted and talented. However, I cannot talk to them about stock options, or pharmaceutical labels, or advertising copy. And if I can talk to another adult about those things for a few hours, I can go home and get excited about Richard Scarry books and baking 100 birthday cupcakes.”
Personally, I think it’s easier to go back to work sooner rather than later. It’s like getting out of bed in the morning – just do it otherwise you’ll still be in it at noon. What the hell, you know the old saying: ”If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Oh, and one other thing – your kids should sleep in their own bed. The only small thing that should sleep in your bed is the dog – or cat if you’re one of ”those people”. Kids don’t have enough fur on them to keep your feet warm in this cold weather.
Love,
Mom
