I can’t win
July 2, 2008 – 9:21 amWe’re in the car on the way to zoo camp when CJ says to me, “Mommy, when will daddy NEVER have to work any more?”
Which has been a frequent question of late. And, as much as I’d like to believe that Jay’s phantom stock options (yes, they’re really called that) will result in massive amounts of untold wealth such that he can retire young, I just don’t see it happening. Not right now.
“Well,” I say, “Pretty soon we’ll be on vacation and daddy won’t have to work for a whole week.”
CJ cocks his head and asks, “He won’t have to work any more? Ever?”
“No,” I say, “he’ll still have to work. But he’ll have a lot of days where he doesn’t work!”
“But mommy! YOU don’t work.”
“That’s true.”
“Why do you not work?”
Isn’t that the age-old question.
“Well CJ,” I say, “I take care of you.”
“Why?”
he wants to know WHY.
“If I didn’t take care of you,” I say, “who would?”
“Nanny.” CJ is quick to say the name of his last nanny. (Which, truth be told, wasn’t really ‘Nanny’ nor did we call her that. It’s just the most convenient pseudonym that I could come up with right now.)
“Would you rather have mommy go back to work and have Nanny watch you again?” I ask, never one to shy away from a dangerous question.
“No,” he says quickly. Whew.
Then he adds, “How do you not work any more?”
“Well, I quit my job.” I tell him. “I decided I wanted to be able to drive you to zoo camp and take you to the park and make you lunch and so I quit my job.”
“You quit you job?!” somehow this seems to have a lot of significance to my little CJ.
“You QUIT because you like me?” The amazement in his tone makes me smile.
“I DO like you, CJ.” I say.
Finally we’re getting somewhere.
“But every day I want daddy,” he says.
Traitor.
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By Susan on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
I can’t WAIT to have these conversations with my daughter, who can’t currently discuss such matters due to her being 2. “Mommy, why do you go to work? Why can’t you stay home with me? Is it because you don’t love me enough?” Yikes.
Susans last blog post..What Makes You Happy?
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By bejewell on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Mine isn’t even talking yet and he’s already made it perfectly clear that he prefers Daddy to Mommy any day of the week and twice on Sunday. (I don’t really know what that saying means but this seemed like a good opportunity to use it.)
Sigh.
bejewells last blog post..I’m Trapped in the Hell Where Bad Fashions Go to Die
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By Lynette on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
LOL. Kids. Could they be any more contrary?
Lynettes last blog post..Hello Pot, I’m Kettle….
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By the planet of janet on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
those little suckers will get ya every time!
the planet of janets last blog post..Winners, we’ve got winners!!!
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By crunchy carpets on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Yeah…we are going through that here too…daddy has NEVER worked out of the house..until now…it is causing a massive upheaval and insecurity…
And daddy is the FUN guy..LOVE that
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By katia on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
heh heh heh. They’re just so damn honest. Great story!
katias last blog post..the beach, Ocean City, NJ
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By Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
That’s so cute. Amazed that you’d do that for him, but, still, wants Daddy instead!
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By World's Greatest Mommy on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
My kids would rather Dad stayed home and I went to work, most of the time. They’re glad he’s a teacher so he gets most of their breaks and only works part time in the summer.
I don’t remember being grateful for my mom being at home…until she couldn’t be. Then I complained because she wasn’t. Typical kid.
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By Ashley on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
That’s such a cute and funny little story! I love it!
Ashleys last blog post..First Beach In La Push!
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By Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for children on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Sigh. My son adores his father and gives me NO LOVE for putting my whole life on hold for him.
Ungrateful twit. (That I love and adore, OF COURSE.)
Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for childrens last blog post..Hump Day! This is me humping your Internet leg! (Alternate tagline: I guess I’m a parasite, too!)
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By Joanna on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Haha, at least he didn’t say something along the lines well why don’t daddy quit? Does he not like me?
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By Mrs. Schmitty on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Don’t take it personally…if daddy were home every day, he’d want you. They always want what they don’t have. Mine do the same thing and the second I go out, they freak!
Mrs. Schmittys last blog post..New Blog!
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By AGSOCCERMOM on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
roflmao……………isn’t that the truth we do all the kid work and the dad gets the credit……….your traitor comment just killed me
AGSOCCERMOMs last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
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By KD @ A Bit Squirrelly on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
My kids would rather hang with Daddy too…some days I wish I was the one working too. We just can’t win can we?
KD @ A Bit Squirrellys last blog post.."NO YOU SHARE DAT WAT-R GUN"
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By Shauna on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
My kids both prefer me to my husband. (Poor guy.) But, when they are both tantruming and screaming and climbing on me (only to fuel the other’s tantrum even more), I would switch places with him in a heartbeat (only to switch back after the tantrum is over, of course).
Shaunas last blog post..The Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
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By Jackie W transplanted Okie (Buried in Legos) on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
I work, but just not for money.
Jackie W transplanted Okie (Buried in Legos)s last blog post..Lone hitching posts …
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By The Apron Queen on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Little traitors! Aren’t they all? I can spend hours on a wonderful meal. My husband breaks open a can of Ravioli and the kids RAVE about what a great cook he is. Traitors! All of them! :D
For your daily dose of vintage goodness & a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen
The Apron Queens last blog post..Advantages of Being the Third Child
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By Flea on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
And mommy is just SOOOO grateful that daddy’s NOT home every day. :)
Fleas last blog post..THE COLOR
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By Auds at Barking Mad on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
See, this is exactly why I’m glad the hubby works. Otherwise I wouldn’t have a chance in the world of wowing the little imp with my artistic prowess…Daddy isn’t into fingerpainting with vanilla pudding coloured with all sorts of food colouring. Just the same, as far as the little imp is concerned, daddy can do no wrong.
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By Worker Mommy on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Ha! I’d take a little “Daddy’s cooler” anyday if only I could afford to stay at home ( I know waa waa whine whine)
Damn, where are my lottery winnings anyway. It’s about time.
Worker Mommys last blog post..When marrying web based email programs becomes legal, Gmail, I’m getting down on one knee
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By Cor on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Arrgghhhh! Daddy, daddy, daddy! I want Daddy. Everyday, every bump, scrape, dump - Daddy. So I went back to work. LOL
Cors last blog post..Do You Ever?
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By amy on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Cute post. Just know that he wouldn’t be able to say those things if he weren’t a totally well adjusted kid. And, chances are, if the tables were turned and you were the one gone all day, he’d be asking for you. :)
amys last blog post..summertime in the 1930s–my beach lust comes honestly
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By My Semblance of Sanity on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
This was GREAT!
I can’t wait till my youngest can carry on those wanna-be-a-grown-up conversations.
Both b/c it’s just cute and also b/c WOW - so much MORE to blog about!
LOL!
My Semblance of Sanitys last blog post..GREEN with ENVY…
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By Mrs. F on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
Don’t worry, my kids are equally unappreciative in the same manner (but it is so endearing, because at least they want their Daddy…which I think is totally sweet).
Mrs. Fs last blog post..In The Depths of Mindless Drivel
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By jennifer on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
My Nanna always says she wants daddy home. She wakes about 8 and wants him home by noon! She has had enough of me!!! She is 3 so she pushes the limits and daddy is a softy! It makes me sad but I know she loves me….
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By Jakki on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
LOL they say our children are evidence of our hearts walking around our selves…so true but what a way to stab you in the heart!!! torn between cute and feeling jealous…totally cute but like you said ‘traitor’..LOL
Jakkis last blog post..Just another day…
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By Summer on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
I feel your pain. My boys demand daddy every day. I’m just chopped liver. All that cooking, dressing, playing, and such means nothing compared to the magical daddy.
Summers last blog post..Wall E Not So Eco-Friendly
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By Carrie on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
My kids tell me they’d rather be at DAYCARE than home with mom! Talk about traitors.
I’m thinking of sending them off for a few weeks for a tune-up!
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By Winning Startups on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
Yeah i get that all the time too - I want Daddy! What about ME???
Saw you on blogging idol. Good luck to you.I love your blog!
Winning Startupss last blog post..How to make millions off worm poop
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By Robin on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
Traitors indeed!
I cook for my kids every single night. (honestly, I do) I make sure I cook things that they will all eat. (Which is hard when there are 5 of them!) I bust my butt for them. No thanks at all whatsoever.
But if Daddy cooks for them, it’s the ultimate treat. Even if it’s Top Ramen. He gets “Thank you’s” and “This is great!”. “I’m glad you cooked for us Daddy!”
I honestly think they believe I’m just around to serve them so it’s nothing when I do it.
Hubby and I both work full time. But it doesn’t skew the Daddy favoritism AT ALL.
Robins last blog post..I can’t win
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By Mrs. F on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
My husband got home from work last night and my 6 year old told him that he wishes he could stay home all day and I went to work all day. It totally reminded me of this post.
Ugh. Kids!
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By Honey Mommy on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I totally have a daddy’s boy too. That’s why we had a second child… haha.
However, I think my little boy would change his mind if he actually ended up spending all day every day with Honey Daddy.
Honey Mommys last blog post..A funny thing happened on my way to going crazy…
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