The Freelancer’s Conundrum
6:45 in the flipping morning.
QUESTION:
What comes first: the time to work or the money for daycare?
A month back into the working world and I’m caught in the freelancer-with-young-kids conundrum.
Up at 4am to get some work in? check..oh but the kids are gonna get up at 5.
Work during naps? check…oh..but…what naps?
Work after they’re in bed? checkgfkjnzzzzz….
I think that I’m going to have to bite the bullet. The eggs need to be in daycare before the chicken can work. At least twice a week or so. (That metaphor makes no sense. Blame the 4am.)
Any other moms out there tell me how you do it? Reading the blogosphere I’m bombarded with sun drenched photos of happy smiling working moms and chirpy “I’m a WAHM and I LOVE IT!” bios. That’s awesome and everything… but some logistics would be great.
Anyhoo. Gotta go pack some lunches. Happy Monday!
Children’s Books: some friendly advice…
One of the most pleasurable times of the day is storytime.
I get to look at pictures and snuggle a calm child. Most importantly it signals the countdown to when the kids get ‘shut off’ and I can go and watch inappropriate TV and eat frozen Big Turks in peace.
Like everything, books come in the full spectrum of quality. I have to admit that there are some books out there that are so flipping irritating to read I often sit there starting at the book and wonder what the writer, editor and sometimes the illustrator were thinking.
The helpful lass that I am, I’ve compiled a little list of things that irritate me at the moment. Writers, editors and illustrators take note if ya want. (This list may change in a year but here goes…)
1. Read your book aloud…ten times a night; for a month; to an audience…without showing them the pictures.
How’s it holding up?
As readers, parents often don’t get to bask in the illustrations. If the words aren’t fun to say, chances are the book is heading to that ‘special spot’ in the thrift store pile.
Yeah, yeah. Don’t read the same book again and again or even two nights in a row. A sucky book still sucks.
2. If your character sings a song, for fugs sake give us a tune or at least make the ‘song’ rhyme.
Don’t tell me to flipping be creative(!) here. I used up all my creativity trying to get through supper without throttling my kids.
For example: (seriously, try to sing this and not sound like a doof.)
Am I right?
3. Before playing with a “fun format” sit with a 35lb kid on your lap on a small chair and try to read it. Long, large, horizontal board books look awesome on the shelf but in reality, every time you turn a page, your kid gets bashed in the nose. Heavy books suck too because you have to hold them at the top to stabilize them.
(I get it…these are more for group reading, but still. Guh.)
4. Ok. So this isn’t really necessary, but yesterday I had an hour long discussion while my kid cried on the potty after reading a book the night before. He was afraid a monster was going to eat his poo. He was terrified. Often I’ll turn the page and swear silently as something scary comes popping out of a recognizable object foreshadowing some serious “discussions” in the days to come. While I love monsters (no seriously…love) sometimes I wish books came with warnings:
This book is not recommended for over imaginative kids with potty issues...
And of course:
5. Well written book + interesting and well crafted illustration + good typography and design = happy, happy storytime.
Thanks and goodnight.
WHAT BUGS YOU?
Kisses, Cooties & Corners
Last year, at one of the drop-ins, this four-year-old came up and kissed me.
WHAT? NO! WHY? ACK!
Smack dab on the mouth.
I didn’t see it coming. I was looking to my left, he came up on the right, grabbed my mug with his craft-glue covered paws and attacked me with his smooches.
Aaaaawwwww.
Isn’t that keee-yooot?
Nope.
Why, you ask?
Well, I reply, and I’m just going to come right out and say it, I didn’t particularly like this kid.
Whoa. Did I really just say that?
Should I Make a Baby in my Uterus Thingy or No?
A guest post by writer, auntie, and stick-man-Canucks-drawer Amanda Lamarche.
But why bother introducing her when she can does that herself. Going back to bed.
Enjoy!
Greetings, Mom Illustrated readers!
I’m Amanda! I’m new! Jana has been kind enough to invite me to do some guest blogging and so here I am, hoping that I don’t single-handedly drag her project into the dirt with my hot air and questionable stickman art.
Look around. See how Jana tends to do stuff that’s cute and talented? Yes, well, I do this.
And for more formal occasions, this.
My Jeans: Then and Now.
(Thanks!)
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Thanks for the Note!
{ Thanks Elle! Baby number 2 is entering the terrible twos... } – Sep 11, 6:35 AM
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{ I loved this story. Floating heads, lol! Sweetly evil.
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{ This was really beautiful to read, Anna. I'm so happy... } – May 25, 1:29 PM
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