11 Comments
User's avatar
Emily Gordon's avatar

What are the odds that on the very day I publish this, Ki Jae is messily sick? We’re talking fever of 104.7, puke all over the couch and rug, and possibly strep or hand / foot / mouth. Whew, what a day for us. This job is no joke.

Expand full comment
Debbie Craig's avatar

Being a mama requires a strong stomach sometimes. You've got this. Then you deserve a break!

Expand full comment
Stephanie Jucar Cooley's avatar

I loved the comparison to a "real job". Puts it into perspective. The idea of inviting your boss to sit on your lap, haha! Have you read Essential Labor by Angela Garbes? It's a great read on the importance of domestic work and how it is the foundation of our society.

Re: the IG unsolicited advice, those are so annoying and rile me up sometimes. Especially on bad days. I took the app off my phone and it's been pretty wonderful.

Expand full comment
Emily Gordon's avatar

I LOVE Angela Garbes! Like A Mother is a book that I have sent to newly pregnant friends. Her work is so important. Agreed on the social media - I've deleted all apps, and going back in to look for those posts reminded me why I walked away.

Expand full comment
Teressa Marshall's avatar

You are doing great. My mother-in-law was a stay at home mom too and something she did was each week when she gave dad his weekly allowence, she got one as well. They were built into the budget and adjusted as necessary. If one took a reduction to make budget it was split between them. Pay yourself a small wage if possible to treat yourself just like the hubby can. That does not mean you save it for birthdays for the children, it means you buy youself something.

Expand full comment
Emily Gordon's avatar

Teressa, what a wonderful idea! We do each have "play money", which I think is so necessary - just something you can spend without judgment or guilt. Money can be such a stressor, and I think it's important to not get too hung up on the feelings that can come with it.

Expand full comment
Debbie Craig's avatar

Yang gang all the way. I have loved watching you succeed in ever job you've had. This one is a major promotion. No one would be better at it than you. Your little would-be bosses adore you. Just reading this is limiting what I can eat today!

Expand full comment
Emily Gordon's avatar

Maya asked me if I was reading [on my phone] about how to be a better mom. Then she said “just kidding, you’re the best mama ever!” Not sure if she was *actually* kidding 🤔🤔

Expand full comment
Debbie Craig's avatar

Hard to tell with her. Probably both. She's a thinker. She probably thinks even the best mother ever could stand to improve.😉 Enjoy the compliment

Expand full comment
Celeste McNeil's avatar

I laughed and cried while reading this. The handful of Goldfish crackers, the feedback from people not helping in the kitchen, and the poop…So much poop. Last weekend, I attempted to bring my two kids (3 and 8 months) to a big music festival my husband was in charge of putting on. It was…awful. This post made me feel seen. Maybe one day we’ll be in the same place and can swap stories over dinner.

Expand full comment
Emily Gordon's avatar

Oh Celeste, have I been there. You put on your big girl pants and decide to be brave to go to a huge event, and then it all explodes. Most likely literally, outside of the diaper. You’ll laugh about it like 5 years from now. Maybe.

Also no one really warns you that 2 kids feels like 5. It gets better after the first year, but that first year probably took 5 off my overall lifespan.

Expand full comment