vacationless

When in my early 20’s I was a big traveller, flying from country to country, city to city. My friends, newly married were struggling with their finances and schedules and looked on enviously. Somehow now the tables have turned. My friends have established familes, and moved up in their careers. They are now able to leave the kids for a few nights or take them along, creating family memories. And for me, there is noone with whom to go. So now it is me, looking on whistfully while they show pictures of beautiful scenic vacations.

moms and their misplaced values

I recently helped out the mother of a large family who was undergoing some medical issues. I cooked her delicious yet simple meals, sharing the recipes and shortcuts for her to use when life returns to normal. Yet each time I shared an inexpensive quick method she’d respond by brainstorming how to add to this and make it an impressive meal. Which it already was.
I used to look at the haggard moms on the street and feel bad for the stress they are under by sheer volume of children. Many “ultra-orthodox” women have many kids and it is nearly impossible to care for them all without losing control. But what I learned from this situation is that much of the pressures they endure they are placing upon themselves. It is a mothers responsibility to make sure their children are well fed at the end of the day. It is not their responsibility to provide a 5 course meal, or to provide respectful meals each time a neighborhood mom has a child. Baked goods do not need to be home baked, children would prefer a calm mom and a box of store bought cookies. It is time for the mothers out there to reevaluate their priorities.