Feeling ick

My bug has been struggling for the last couple of weeks with some kind of virus.  Fever coming and going, a nasty cough and the occasional vomit.  I feel so badly for him.  He's a super star though.  He's sleeping a lot, eating not too badly, but his spirits are good.  He is still his usual happy go-lucky self.  We've been to see the doctor once who said it's viral, it will run it's course (I think doctor's say this a lot, it's almost like their tag line.) but here we are two weeks later, still not any better.  I am beginning to question their judgement at this point.  So we have an appt later this morning to figure out what the actual problem is.  I think he needs an antibiotic, it's been long enough he's had to suffer with it without any improvement. 

It takes a village

I feel the need to address an issue that really bothers me.  It's controversial but that has never held me back from writing my truths.

That little whisper of tension that seems to just exist, sort of like a line of division between the WAHM (work at home mom) and the WOHM (work outside the home mom).  I have created new acronyms for the purpose of this blog because, yes, I believe that in both instances work is the operative word.

I may not directly experience the WAHM's successes/struggles, but I certainly understand that what they do at home with their children is hard work.  It's real work, with value and honour.  I do not for one second believe that what they do is sit around all day mixing martinis and watching the soaps.  They volunteer their time whether it be in a school our out in the community.  Many are entrepreneurs with their own businesses, like daycare or catering, which is amazing and should be celebrated! 

I am a WOHM.  I would have loved to stay home with my son.  He is the sweetest, most caring  4 year old I know.  He is sensitive, rambunctious, and truly is the love of my life.  Having said that, I know, down to the tips of my toes that I would not have been happy in that situation.  I have worked hard to get to the job/career that I have and I decided even before I had him, that I would continue to work.  He loved going to daycare and he loves going to school.  He is in a full day JK program and he is thriving.  He has made friends, they call themselves the "brothers" and has already been to one birthday party which he is still talking about.  My work outside the home is stressful.  I come home with headaches, muscle aches, but regardless of that, it's the best part of my day because I get to see his beautiful face and find out how his day has been.  His development has in no way been compromised because I decided to work outside the home instead of work at home.  I have never shirked my responsibilities as a mother and have never taken advantage of a caregiver's time by being careless about pick up times or what have you.  I have asked for flexibility for reasons completely outside of my control.  This is not the same thing as taking advantage.   

While I'm at it, I also want to congratulate the WAHD (work at home dad's) out there.  There are so many more now than there used to be and I think it's great that our generation is breaking and making new traditions.  Many dad's have home offices where they can do freelance work, or run their own businesses, or just look after the kidlets.  I admire their courage for breaking away from our society's notion of gender roles.

So many other mentions could be made, single parents, grandparents raising their grandkids, foster parents, same-sex parents, the list goes on and on.

I think we all need to remember that we are all doing the best we can for our family and doing what works for us.  Different choices come with different pros and cons, but no choice is any better or any worse than another.  Parenting is parenting no matter which family variant you have.   

The African proverb (My reading attributes it to Nigeria's Igbo and Yoruba regions) says it best:

"It takes a village to raise a child."      

Rick Hansen Relay

Please take some time to view this video of Rick Hansen's visit to the Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre.  He is truly inspirational and gives hope to children and adults of all abilities.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Rick+Hansen+pays+emotional+tribute+Ottawa+Children+Treatment+Centre/5617110/story.html

French food for the soul

My guy loves his French class at school.  Tonight at bedtime, we had a fun little game going.  He sang me a song in French (of course, I know it, but pretend it's the first time I've heard it).  Tête, épaules, genoux, orteilles...yeux, nez, bouche, oreilles.  Then he asks me a whole bunch of words in french:  boat: bateau, bed:  lit, kiss:  bisou, he says bisou and I kiss him, he says it again and of course, kiss him.  Repeat, repeat, repeat.   He tries to circumvent my next kiss by throwing up his stuffed owl, so I say "No!  Hibou, not bisou!" which sets him off into uncontrollable giggles.  When it's time to say our final goodnight he says to me, "Give daddy a bisou for me!"  I love him.  He is such a sweet boy.  I'm a lucky mommy.

Oh indian summer

The only thing I don't like about having an indian summer is that all the neighbourhood's Mr. Fixits get their power tools out REALLY early.  Have one neighbour working on his motorcycle, another mowing his lawn and yet another using what I believe is a power saw.  Seriously, give me a break, it's a holiday Monday for pete's sake.  Let us sleep until at least 10 am.  Or at the very least enjoy some peace and quiet.

With thanks

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

I have many treasures to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend, and the rest of the year too, but now is a good time to acknowledge them.

Some of them are obvious, but they need to be said.

I am thankful for my amazing son and fantastic husband.  I'm not sure what I did to be so lucky, but it must have been good because they are the centre of my world.

Thankful for my family, parents, sisters and brother, I would never trade them. 

Thankful for my girlz, you know who you are.  I could not have gotten through this year without the support.  

 Thankful that twice I was in the right place, at the right time.  I came close to panicking both times, but I held it together and made a difference.  M and A are both safe and sound, for that I am thankful.

Thankful for a good job, a roof over my head and luxuries a lot of people don't have.  

Since last Thanksgiving, it's been a rough year.  Lots of downs, some ups, but I'm hopeful things will settle down soon.   

Seventy-seven days until Christmas!  The countdown is on!

School surprises

I almost fainted in the car today when my very proud JK student sang to me a little song about a number of fast food chain restaurants (my sibs and fellow Girl Guides will know which one I mean!).  WTF??  Is this part of the curriculum??  Along with every Monday pizza and every Thursday hot dog day?  I'm sorry, I'm flabbergasted.  Not sure if it is even worth addressing and how I would approach that one...

It's a good thing I wasn't driving...