ARTICLE: Working Mothers -- Comments

After writing my last article on working mothers and setting limits, I talked to several people who seemed to agree that it´s common to feel guilty about the time not being spent with our children. This brought me to share with you the opinion of my young son. I recently had to leave my job for medical reasons, and although all is fine now, I haven´t returned to the "working outside the house" work force just yet. The other day I was on the phone and I commented that I was not going back to work yet. My son overheard this conversation. When I was done he came up to me and asked if I was going back to work. "Not just yet," I answered, "don´t worry." He looked disappointed, so I had to ask, "Why?" This was his answer: "Oh, because stay at home mommy is more fun. She doesn´t get mad as often, she never misses a school event, and she has lots of time to play, cook and bake. But working mommy is great too because she works hard, and then we can all go to Disneyland!" I was shocked at the wisdom he displayed. No doubt about it, when life gives children lemons they make lemonade! So next time you feel guilty about leaving for work, remember this: your children love you no matter what, and as long as you show them love and caring, they will understand that if you leave for work is because you have to: to give them what they need, to provide for them and why not, to go to Disneyland! Hang in there!

STORYTIME: The Cat and the Moon -- Part 2

... The cat reached for the white ball, but it was too high. He sat on the highest branch and simply stared at the beautiful ball. How could he play with it? The cat fell asleep on the tree staring at the ball.

The next morning when he woke up, the ball was gone. Maybe it fell and I can play with it if I find it, he thought. All morning long he looked but it was nowhere to be found. Late that afternoon he climbed the tree again and waited for night time to fall. Soon, he found the ball again, shining in the middle of the sky. The cat was very happy to see it again. "How can I play with you?", he sighed. The moon answered, "Climb down the tree and go to the pond. I can play with you there." The cat raced down the tree and to the pond and sure enough the white ball was waiting for him in the water. He jumped over it and splashed, waited for it to appear again, and splashed some more. All night they played together, the cat and the moon, and they were both very happy. And up to this day, they meet at the pond every night. So whenever you stare up at the sky and see only a part of the moon, remember the cat is probably holding on to the other part, playing in the pond.

THE END

DAILY RECIPE: Easy barbecue sauce

1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
4 crushed garlic cloves
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Combine all ingredients, mix well. Simmer in a saucepan for about 20 minutes, low heat. Spread over ribs, chicken, steak and sausages or use as a dip. Great for the 4th of July!

TIP OF THE DAY

Set a day of the week for cutting your children´s fingernails and toenails. With the busy life we live it´s easy to forget this, especially if you have more than one child. By setting a day aside, (I like Sunday nights) you´ll never be surprised by long fingernails again.