Mommy Outsider

One of my fellow bloggers recently talked about the Mommy Mafia and how all of us moms are guilty of the practice in one way or another. I have often felt that besides the mommy mafia there is the mommy hierarchy. I don't rank very high up on said hierarchy.

On Wednesdays I like to take Adeline out and about. We go to the library for Wigglers. We go to the park or the indoor play area at the mall. It is kind of my chance to get to see how the other half lives. What I've found is that Adeline and I don't travel in the right circle. It seems that no matter when or where we go there is a group of women and their toddlers who are all about meeting you.... until you tell them that you work. All I have to say is "Wednesday is my day off so we like to get out" and the curtain comes down. It's a conversation ender and I don't know why. It's not what I do because we rarely make it to that point.

There are a few exceptions.
Every once in a while I'll meet a mom new to the area and we'll chat for a long time. Or I'll see a patient out and about with either their mom and dad and we'll talk. But there is a clique...

I rarely meet another working mom out on a Wednesday morning. They're usually the ones sitting alone watching their children play, like me. So this is who I try to strike up conversations with now.

I think I'm not going to worry about the other ladies for right now. That's what I thought right up until one of their sons yanked my daughter around by the collar of her shirt and pushed her down the slide. Action which was followed by less than effective discipline. (Yes a mommy mafia comment but the boy did turn right around and push his own brother down.) Now I think I might just find a new park.

Luckiest Girl Ever

I am sitting at the kitchen counter, writing on my laptop (a Christmas present from my husband) and watching said husband make two made to order pizzas from scratch. One Hawaiian, one red pepper and pepperoni. I am drinking Sangria and facebooking while he lovingly makes dinner. Our daughter is sleeping soundly and mini Friday is here.

I am the luckiest girl ever.

Thursday Hangover

OK So it's not that I booze it up on Wednesday nights. (Fire and Wine nights the exception.) It's that I have Wednesdays off. No rounds, no office hours, no long list of patients. It's my free day to spend with Joel and Adeline. It's the day that makes being a working mom bearable.
Yesterday for example I spent the whole day with Adeline. We ran errands and went to the book store, which she loves even more than the library because the kids section is bright and fun and accessible for kids. We came home and played outside for a long time. We blew bubbles. Adeline watered the patio. After nap we were back outside and then had a nice relaxing dinner as a family.
Wednesdays are wonderful. They are peaceful and calming and a perfect intermission to my work week.
Thursdays always come after Wednesdays like a slap in the face. Some days, like today, it feels like my first day back from maternity leave. I miss Adeline so. Even knowing that Joel is home with her only makes it a little better. I still feel a little guilty...
Yes I get two Saturdays a week (and a Sunday) but I also get two Mondays. If I were still working for "The Clinic" I would not have a day off in the work week and many moms don't at all. (Many mom's don't have to leave in the middle of the night on a moments notice and maybe not be back until the next evening either.)
Today I had to round to top it all off. Ugh. AND I'm the only doc in the office which means I'm tied here over lunch and maybe into the evening. I'm also on call again tonight as I cover for a partner who's on vacation.
But hey, tomorrow is Friday again.