10-14-2006 Cruisetoberfest IV

[cdnmickeylover]

It's not pink but it's there Michele!!!!

Jays lost badly yesterday -- hopefully today will be a better game.

Fiona

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Fiona, thanks, but the Zippety Do Dah, I put there. I got a bit excited for a moment!

Better get moving! Have a great weekend!

 

[Viking]

Hi Folks,
I sent a new edition of The List - Check it out!!!

 

[walczak4]

Thanks for the new list Erik and for all the hard work that you put into it!

Interesting article in this months addition of a local magazine. It was about women who go to college for years to get their degrees (6 years for me) and then quit their jobs to become stay at home moms. It was written to show both sides of the issue.....a few moms saying that they love the fact that they are raising their children, not someone else but miss the adult interaction of work, and then there were a few women activists who thought that this is just a travesty and a total waste of our educations! The good thing about my position is that I can easily step back into the work force when my kids are both in school full time.

Jadon starts a preschool program tomorrow. It's only for 2.5 hours Tues, Wed & Thurs of each week for the next 5 weeks but I'm looking forward to it. He REALLY needs to be in a structured setting and be around other kids his age and I can use the time for dentist appointments or grocery shopping in peace! Does that make me sound like a bad mom?

 

[wendym]

I think it makes you sound like an excellent mom! I couldn't do your job - raising children is the most important job, regardless of how people choose to do it.
Wendy

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Thanks for the new list Erik and for all the hard work that you put into it!

Interesting article in this months addition of a local magazine. It was about women who go to college for years to get their degrees (6 years for me) and then quit their jobs to become stay at home moms. It was written to show both sides of the issue.....a few moms saying that they love the fact that they are raising their children, not someone else but miss the adult interaction of work, and then there were a few women activists who thought that this is just a travesty and a total waste of our educations! The good thing about my position is that I can easily step back into the work force when my kids are both in school full time.

Jadon starts a preschool program tomorrow. It's only for 2.5 hours Tues, Wed & Thurs of each week for the next 5 weeks but I'm looking forward to it. He REALLY needs to be in a structured setting and be around other kids his age and I can use the time for dentist appointments or grocery shopping in peace! Does that make me sound like a bad mom?

NO! It makes you sound like me! Just like working parents need a break from their day job, so do we! I wouldn't trade being a SAHM for the world, but somedays, we just NEED that break! Once summer hits, I'll be doing my Walmart shopping on Sunday nights after Steve gets home. Not the most ideal time, but HE can stay with the boys and I can get the shopping done without hearing, MOM, can I have this? MOM! Can we get that? Distance makes the heart grow fonder! As for getting an education only to waste it? Totally disagree! In this ever changing market, your DH could come home tomorrow and say, "I've lost my job" or he could become disabled, or God Forbid, you would be without him. Having that education puts you back in the work force almost instantly. I did not get a college education. If something happens to Steve, I can't say for sure where we'd be. I've always said, If I lost him, I would move back to OH, live with my folks for a few years and get that education I should have got so long ago. Do I regret it, yes, somedays I do. I know, I could go back to school now, but it just seems that right now my life is all consuming of just the boys and I don't have time for college. This is just the chapter in my life right now. Maybe that will change in the future. For now, I'll just keep with this chapter and enjpy what life gives me.
Also, if you are looking for interaction with adults, volenteer at school, or look for a MOMS Club (I was a member for almost 8 years), MOPS Group or Newcomers Club. All are great sources to network through! But most importantly, ENJOY this time with the kids!!! It just goes by SO fast!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I guess I was lucky because I went to school and had DS at the same time. (My undergrad years were busy as I got married, had DS, and got divorced within the 4 years!).

I started my second degree when he started grade one so I was home basically when he was and it worked out well. I didn't work during the summers which made money a little tight but it was nice to be home when he was little (although I'm still paying off the student loans!).

My mother went back to school part time when my DB and I were in grade school and then she went to law school when I started high school.

I don't think that by staying home anyone is wasting their education but I do know people who think that way.

They are small for so little time too -- can't believe mine will be 20 in July. Seems like only yesterday.

Fiona

 

[jeanneg]

Regarding the motherhood issue: I can't tell you how many years I had to endure feeling like a second class citizen because many of my husband's business colleagues were in marriages where both the husband and wife were high powered professionals. Although it was my choice to be a full-time mom, I often felt as if I couldn't measure up to the career moms. Sometimes I envied the fact that they had nannies, housekeepers, nicer homes and were always so nicely groomed and there I was doing carpool at 5am and wearing yesterday's sweats. Well, my youngest turns 21 in 2 months, so i guess I can consider my kids fully grown and you know what? I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE!
We may not have the lifestyle that alot of our peers do, but it's good enough, and we ended up having 4 absolutely great kids. They're far from perfect, but as human beings they are loving and kind and take responsibility for their actions, which is more than I can say for alot of other kids today. Best of all, now that they've become adults, I truly enjoy their company. I don't want to criticize the women who have to work for financial reasons or who just aren't cut out to be full-time moms. Lord knows, we struggled long and hard to be able to have choices! I'm just saying that some 15 years ago, I was where you are now and it wasn't easy or very rewarding at the time. But the dividends do eventually materialize and when they do, they're amazing, so stick with it! And as far as wasting your education, I used alot of my "smarts" in childrearing, so just because you're not getting a paycheck doesn't mean you're not using your education. Amen!

 

[crisi]

I figured I'd check in. We have had this cruise booked for a long time. Me, husband, two children (7 and 8) and my parents, but I haven't gotten around to posting over here to let anyone know I'll be on board.

 

[wendym]

Crisi - welcome aboard!
I hope that if I ever have children I will be able to manage to stay at home with them - I see so many of my friends desperate to go back to work - I don't know how they manage to leave their babies and we are fortunate with maternity leave they can be at home for quite a while (about 6 months full pay and up to a year without pay).
Jeanne - your kids are a credit to you and John. You made the right choice!
Wendy

 

[walczak4]

I hope it didn't sound like I was complaining! I know that I made the right choice when I quit the hospital to stay home with Jadon. I just found the article interesting. It sounds like more and more women are realizing that education + high paying job do not always = happiness.


Welcome Crisi! We have a fun group going on this cruise.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi everyone!

Sorry that I haven't spent more time with everyone. It's been crazy busy here. We have Cancun in 19 days then the next BIG trip will be October. I hope soon that I will be more present here to get to know everyone a bit better.

Yesterday DH and I celebrated our anniversary. It is 29 years that we have been together! We enjoyed our day yesterday.

 

[Gramto3]

Hi everyone!

Sorry that I haven't spent more time with everyone. It's been crazy busy here. We have Cancun in 19 days then the next BIG trip will be October. I hope soon that I will be more present here to get to know everyone a bit better.

Yesterday DH and I celebrated our anniversary. It is 29 years that we have been together! We enjoyed our day yesterday.

Hi Lily. I'm headed for Cancun in June. Any tips/suggestions when you get back would be appreciated.

Belated anniversary wishes to you and your DH.

 

[Viking]

Alles Gute zum Hochzeitstag, Lily (All the best for your Anniversary)

Good to see you on the Running-thread, too

 

[jeanneg]

Welcome Crisi....I see by your number of posts you are no stranger to the DID board....what took you so long to join the party? This is a great bunch of people and we're happy to have you join us.

And welcome back, Tiger Lily!

 

[crisi]

Honestly, thread is too long to read, and its a little intimidating here. I'm not sure if I will join the party....I'm traveling with my parents, husband and kids and we may choose to travel incognito. Crossing my internet life with my real life is awkward.

You need a check in thread, and this long invovled chat thread.

 

[jeanneg]

Crisi: Whatever you decide is fine. I realize this thread is extremely long and do not expect newcomers to read from start to finish. Alot of people are OK with just jumping right in. Eventually everybody gets caught up. I'm sad to hear that you find this thread a little intimidating. Trust me, that is not the message we're trying to send. Since you're traveling with several other family members, there may be no need to meet anybody new. With just the 2 of us traveling alone, we find that meeting people online beforehand lets us feel less awkward when we finally embark. But whatever you decide is your choice. Ultimately, it's your vacation and you deserve to enjoy it your way. That said, we really are a fun-loving bunch and would love to get to know you better.

 

[Viking]

Crisi,
I got your info. And later today I will send you some more info about us and a link, which will facilitate getting to know the group.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi to everyone!

Thanks for the re-welcoming and the anniversary wishes.

I will report back about Cancun. I understand that they have been working very diligently to restore things. I look forward to a relaxing week. I'm not certain we will be doing much more than relaxing this trip. Who knows, the adventure may still come upon us and we will not be able to resist.

 

[MN_Cruz'n]

If you can't find us,
don't be blue.
I bumping us up
from page 2.