parenting

23
Apr
2018

Babysitting: When A Dad Has To Do It Alone

As I count down the days to a much anticipated and much overdue girls night out, I prepare myself for the inevitable. The question that makes me cringe. Followed by the statement that makes my blood boil. The question about who is watching the kids. The one about who is babysitting.

Person: “who has the kids?”

Me: “They are at home with their dad.”

Person: “Oh, dad gets to babysit while you go out.”

Me: …

This bothers me, and while the implication that I am shouldn’t get to go out while he stays home is enough; what really gets to me is that dad is babysitting.

I am sorry. He is their father. At no point in their life will he be babysitting them. He is being their parent.

Definition of babysitting

babysitting  to care for children usually during a short absence of the parents;  to give care <babysit for a neighbour’s pets>

IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PARENTS.

Therefore, a parent cannot babysit their own children. This is one of those awful parenting double standards that exist. At no point would someone say, or imply, that I, their mother is babysitting my children. That is simply my job as a mother. I am their caregiver, so why is it that dad isn’t viewed the same way. Especially in this day and age when there are so many stays at home dads, then they are the primary caregivers. Are they still “babysitters” in the eyes of these people?

Moms are moms, dads are dads, and when they are caring for their own children then they aren’t babysitting.

Don’t we moms have to endure mom guilt about having a night out – which they deserve – without the babysitter card getting played? I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Let me know what you think in the comments!

 

Posted by Jenn in Lifestyle, 10 comments
19
Mar
2018

A Comprehensive List of the 40 + Job Titles of Being a Parent

It’s no surprise that being a parent is a lot of work. Day in and day out you wear a ton of different hats. My job title is official “Mom”, but unofficially, it carries many more job titles than that.

  1. President: My husband might argue this point a little, but even he phones and clears things with me before planning things. I run the household.
  2. Secretary: Yes, I carry both titles. If I don’t make the schedule things just won’t happen.
  3. Chef: Maybe not gourmet, but any day that I don’t cook boxed macaroni and cheese or serve cereal for dinner I am probably winning. 3 kids; 1 who is going through a stage where everything has to be plain, and an adult male under my roof mean it’s hard impossible to please everyone most nights.
  4. Cheerleader: Kids in sports (or any activity) means that I am at EVERY game, and EVERY practice cheering them on and cheering them on loud enough to make sure they hear me. Especially those where my husband isn’t able to because of work. I never want them looking into the stand and wondering who is there for them.  I will always be there.
  5. Housekeeper: Cleaning the entire house every day. Sweeping, mopping, dishes, laundry it literally never ends.
  6. Laundromat attendant: All the laundry, all the time. With only one washing machine. At least I get all the pocket change out of the dryer.
  7. Maid: Different than a housekeeper, I am expected, it would seem anyway, to wait on my children hand and foot.
  8. Janitor: Also different from the housekeeper, I also get to clean up all the spills and messes.
  9. Taxi Driver: I have to drive everyone everywhere, usually with no time to spare.
  10. Judge: When all the little arguments happen, guess who decides who is right.
  11. Referee: Scraps happen, I’m the one who has to climb in the middle, or hopefully diffuse them before they start.
  12. Secret Keeper: While we don’t keep secrets in this house, they have found a loophole when it comes to “surprises”
  13. Personal Assistant: Forgot something? Need something done? Don’t worry mom will get it done.
  14. Teacher: Colours, ABCs, spelling words, all of the above.
  15. Coach: In all things sports. Even if you know next to nothing about them.
  16. Art Critic: Of course that looks like a dinosaur!
  17. Potty Trainer: Two kids down one to go.
  18. Bum Checker: Even though they are potty trained, wiping is still something that needs working on.
  19. Diaper Changer: And counting down!
  20. Search and Rescue: A toy or a blanket always seems to be missing.
  21. Tickler: My boys loved to be tickled
  22. Tickle me Elmo: Who needs the toy when I can tickle mom?
  23. Day Care Provider: Someone has to take care of them.
  24. Government: Someone needs to make the rules.
  25. Police Woman: And then they need to be enforced.
  26. Stylist: No you can’t wear shorts when it’s -30 degrees
  27. Personal Shopper: Groceries, clothes you name it, I buy it
  28. Dentist: Gotta make sure all the teeth are clean.
  29. Breath Smeller: How else am I going to know if they actually brushed their teeth?
  30. Volunteer: Field trips, councils, hot lunches, as often as possible.
  31. Play Date Organizers: Back to that scheduling we talked about.
  32. Event Planner: Birthdays, and holidays.
  33. A Conductor of Sleep Studies: Overnight, in a bed that is far too small
  34. Monster Patrol: Under beds, behinds doors, the works.
  35. Librarian: Complete with storytelling.
  36. Singer: Specialising in nursery rhymes and theme songs.
  37. Doctor: Kisses and cuddles are my specialities.
  38. Paramedic: Breaking out the big guns with fun band-aids when needed.
  39. Nurse: I administer the medicine when they’re sick.
  40. Cuddle Expert: Because sometimes all you need is a good cuddle session.
  41. Speech Therapist:  There are a lot of words to learn how to say properly.
  42. Councillor: For the days when being young is just too much to handle.
  43. Barber: I can’t be the only one who has had to cut their kids’ hair.

There is no sugar coating it, being a parent is hard work. My job as a mom is ever changing and ever evolving. Would I give up any one of them? Not a chance, they bring be closer to my kids and that makes me a better parent. It is rewarding in a way that you will never be able to explain.

Are there any job titles you feel you carry as a parent?

 

Posted by Jenn in Lifestyle, 9 comments