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