A.J: Ok.

Chris: No, eat over YOUR plate!

My son, A.J., during a family vacation to Yellowstone National Park in 2009

Back then, I never had to take off work to attend a school play or worry about how to occupy a 7-year-old during a two-month summer break from school. I never had to scramble at 5 a.m. to negotiate child care because snow closed local schools but not my office.

I used to be able to spend my evenings socializing with friends or relaxing at home rather than reviewing my son’s homework. I used to sleep as late as I liked on the weekends rather than getting up before 8 a.m. to feed my son and drive him to extracurricular activities. I used to be able to go on vacation whenever my husband and I liked rather than being tied to our son’s school schedule.

Life was simpler back then, and sometimes I really miss those days. But most of the time I appreciate the wonders of having brought someone into the world and watching him grow into his own person. I love seeing my son’s mischievous smile and answering his questions on everything from biology and weather to the rules of the road and the budget deficit. I like how he sings in the shower and hugs me at bedtime.

Despite all the scheduling challenges, I enjoy being a parent. And work is going well, too!

This post is part of the Fem 2.0 Blog Carnival on Work-Life hosted by About Working Moms.

Tonight Chris also helped out a lot. He got home as A.J. and I were starting to get frustrated with each other over some homework that is fairly simple but that has to be turned in tomorrow. A.J. kept saying he didn’t know the answers and wanted me to tell him what to do. I refused. Chris took over the situation, delaying his own dinner, to work with A.J. After dinner, he again stepped in, helping A.J. bathe himself instead of having me handle that part of the evening ritual.

I’m really lucky to have Chris. I wonder how single parents manage?

The cul-de-sac at 5:45 a.m.

A.J.’s school is opening two hours late this morning due to the one inch of snow we have on the ground this morning. Work is, of course, opening on time. Good thing Chris is off today.

It’s a good thing I was already scheduled to be off all this week and that Chris was already scheduled to be off all next week, else we’d be scrambling for child care!

As a bonus, though, the federal government (in the D.C. area) is also closed tomorrow, so Chris doesn’t have to figure out how to get to work. Believe it or not, the federal government rarely gives its workers free leave because it costs so much money. This has been one heck of a snowstorm!

1 p.m. December 20: Driveway and walk are clear, but still no sign of a snowplow.

View from the front porch

Since all of A.J.’s Saturday classes were cancelled today due to the weather, I had time to make moderately elaborate breakfasts for everyone this morning. Here is A.J.’s:

A.J.'s breakfast: sausage links, pancakes and blueberries

This is Chris’ breakfast:

Chris' breakfast: clementine segments, breakfast burritos and blueberries

A.J. is enjoying the unexpected break. He’s still in his pajamas at 10:30 in the morning, playing video games:

A.J. in the sunroom

As for me, I think I’ll have a cup of tea and read a book.

I am fortunate to have access to really good health care in my area. This afternoon, for example, I took A.J. to the dentist to have sealants put on his permanent molars. These sealants are basically bits of plastic injected into the pits and cracks of his teeth so bacteria can’t grow in them and cause cavities. They used to be an expensive luxury, but nowadays they are becoming routine.

A.J.’s dentist is a pediatric dentist, not a standard one. Her office not only has all sorts of toys and children’s books in the waiting room, but it does its best to make the appointments comfortable and almost fun for the kids. For example, the children get to wear sunglasses to shield their eyes when being examined under high-powered lights. The toothpaste the staff uses during cleanings comes in flavors like cotton candy, grape, watermelon and bubble gum, and so do the dental floss and fluoride treatments. Kids without cavities win little prizes like tops, plastic bracelets, rubber balls, and the sorts of things in vending machines they always seem to love.

How I wish A.J.’s dentist took grownups as patients!