Shannon Stacey


Ungrateful monsters

I had a slightly amusing (to me, anyway) entry about my current writing process to write, but the tall kid emotionally sucker-punched me this morning. There’s a Mother’s Day tea at his school tomorrow afternoon, and I gently explained to him that, because of the short kid and the fact that everybody else is still at work at 2:00, I probably wouldn’t be able to attend.

He got all teary-eyed and said, “Thanks for nothing.”

Oh, gee. Why don’t you stand there while I go get the dustbuster and try to clean up all the fragments of my broken heart, why dontcha?

I try never to beat my kids over the head with what I’ve given up to be a stay-at-home mom. My job, my freedom, my ability to have adult conversation on a daily basis. There’s the fact that I am 100% financially dependent on my husband, which I’ve learned from my mother’s three marriages isn’t always a great place to be.

It also means I have no child-care options. My stepmother watches them for the rare weekend occasion or Christmas shopping excursions, but she works. There’s no day-care, no nothing. Now I’m stuck trying to work up the stomach to ask a favor of somebody I don’t want to ask a favor from. Uck, uck and more uck.

So, anyway. Funny may come later today. Hopefully.

UPDATE: My stepmother, who managed to decipher my sobbings on the phone, has generously offered to take the short kid with her to my little sister’s private school interview. Hopefully he won’t take this opportunity to show off his stellar vocabulary. *g*

I don’t know why it surprises me still that I’m on call for everybody in the world 24/7—running errands, picking up kids, waiting for cable guys—but there’s never anybody around on the rare occasion I need help. Except for my stepmother/best friend. She just totally rocks. :nod:

(And not just because she saved me from having to knock on a door I didn’t really want to knock on.)

6 comments to “Ungrateful monsters”

  1. Mel
    Comment
    1
      · May 5th, 2005 at 10:27 am · Link

    Awww Shan, If I were closer I’d take off work and watch the short kid for you to be able to go (And then we’d dump the kids on the DH and go watch KOH together!)

    I bet whoever you ask will be thrilled to help you out. :) Honest! :angel:



  2. Shannon
    Comment
    2
      · May 5th, 2005 at 10:29 am · Link

    Maybe we could meet in like…Buffalo and go. :grin:



  3. cece
    Comment
    3
      · May 5th, 2005 at 11:06 am · Link

    OMG I forgot about Muffins with Mom!!!! It was this morning–but my son decided to stay the night with a friend last night and the other son forgot too. Oh well, there’s always Mother’s Day right?

    ((((Shan)))) I totally get the “nobody around” sentiment–more than I ever wanted to. Glad your step-mom was there! :cheer:



  4. AngieW
    Comment
    4
      · May 5th, 2005 at 7:34 pm · Link

    Ahh… you could have put my future son-in-law on a bus to me :nod: I’d take great care of him. He could spend some quality time watching his future bride drool and chew on my big toe. I’m sure it would be instant love.



  5. Jaynie R
    Comment
    5
      · May 5th, 2005 at 11:10 pm · Link

    :nod:I hear ya. I live in a totally different country to all my family and friends. Luckily we do have a daycare but it’s expensive as hell.

    Glad your step-mom is so cool.



  6. Shannon
    Comment
    6
      · May 6th, 2005 at 12:35 am · Link

    Let’s all send our kids to Angie’s house! :cheer:

    Just think how happy my future DIL would be to have all those playmates. :nod:







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