Usually Dear Jackrabbit is posted on Sundays, but given this week’s topic, Monday is more apropos.
Dear Jackrabbit,
Today’s something of a special day.
It’s mommy’s first day back at work.
That means dad’s in charge!
BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!
Okay, all kidding aside, it’s a somewhat notable day. Your mom took maternity three months ago and now that time is up. We don’t live in one of those advanced countries where parents get six months of maternity leave. Heck, people in this country are lucky to get any time off at all. Even if their job allows for it, wages are usually so crappy that people can’t afford to live on the percentage of salary TDI would pay. Yes, being pregnant and having a kid is considered a “temporary disability”. This is a country that hates families and makes it very difficult for them whenever possible–women and children in particular.
We’re working on changing that, but we’ve had some setbacks. Hopefully you can help out when you get older.
But I’m straying from the original topic.
Mom’s at work. You’re home with dad.
Max confirms that I have, indeed, dressed the child correctly. Like he would know.
You’re actually kind of lucky in that regard. We’re fortunate that I can eke us by on a freelancer’s earnings and work from home. Most families can’t do that. Sure, at some point you’ll be in daycare for a little bit–but not until you’re a little older and can benefit from some socialization.
For now, your socialization is going to be with me until your mother gets home. Lucky you.
But a freelancer’s earnings aren’t near enough to sustain us much longer, so your mother pretty much had to go back to work. It was not an easy thing to come to terms with. You, Jack, are a delight to be around, and I can totally see why your mother can’t wait to get home to you. Heck, you and she were gone for a few hours on Saturday while I caught up on some sleep, and even then I missed you. I can only imagine what your mother is experiencing right now.
But we have faith it will all work out. it’s been an hour since she left and so far, so good.
Today, and maybe throughout the week, is going to be a bit of trial and error. I do have work to do, you know. Fortunately, while it’s not a light week, it’s not a week with hard deadlines thus far, so I have a lot of flexibility in my schedule this week. I expect what’s going to happen is I’ll be breaking up my workday into chunks: late evening, early morning, bits in midday when you’re asleep.
It’ll work out fine.
Besides, it’s not like I have a high bar to clear. Dads always get a criminally low bar when it comes to being a successful parent. I could have you dressed backwards and upside down, but so long as you’re still breathing by the time your mother gets home, I’m considered a superdad.
I know, right?
Fortunately, I’ve had plenty of practice in dressing you properly. I know where the play mat is, I know how to operate the swing. We have bottles of milk in the fridge just lined up for a day’s feeding. And there is more where that came from. Diapers? Not a problem.
Believe me, kid. This is going to work out just fine.
It’s an adjustment for all of us, but we knew that going in.
And it’s all worth it.
Your mother will be home soon. You’ll be changed, fed, dressed, played with, and taken care of. I’ll go to sleep for a little bit, then get up again and work and make dinner. And we all grow.
Welcome to life, kid.
–Dad
