Hi Allison, I read this article and your footnotes too. I'm 54 and my kids are in college now so I am...focused on my parents, and everything else. I'm the person who wrote to you about "The Invisible Visible Project" so my feelings about the DIY (women) state of much of life run a little high. My age group - Get X - was just getting a little curious/anxious about pregnancy (What to Expect...had just been published) but mostly we were just carrying on (unless there were serious problems which there sometimes were of course.) Anyway, to motherhood: You are the boss of this kid and this situation. Your kids will be your worst employees but they have a steep learning curve which is nice. All the humans before you did this or you wouldn't be here so you are well-qualified to make the millions of decisions you will make. Try to use the "common sense" method keeping in mind that even children with dingbats for parents turn out alright. Get friends you actually like who are having children, and get on this train with them. The earlier you find them the better. Try to find some who will be open to watching both kids in turn so you can sometimes give each other a break. Having children will totally disrupt life as you have known it but it's also very entertaining and, in your case, will be extremely useful for your work. All my best, Delphine
It's lovely to hear from you, Delphine! I love the reassuring advice that "even children with dingbats for parents turn out alright" - maybe that will be my mantra going forward :)
Hi Allison, I read this article and your footnotes too. I'm 54 and my kids are in college now so I am...focused on my parents, and everything else. I'm the person who wrote to you about "The Invisible Visible Project" so my feelings about the DIY (women) state of much of life run a little high. My age group - Get X - was just getting a little curious/anxious about pregnancy (What to Expect...had just been published) but mostly we were just carrying on (unless there were serious problems which there sometimes were of course.) Anyway, to motherhood: You are the boss of this kid and this situation. Your kids will be your worst employees but they have a steep learning curve which is nice. All the humans before you did this or you wouldn't be here so you are well-qualified to make the millions of decisions you will make. Try to use the "common sense" method keeping in mind that even children with dingbats for parents turn out alright. Get friends you actually like who are having children, and get on this train with them. The earlier you find them the better. Try to find some who will be open to watching both kids in turn so you can sometimes give each other a break. Having children will totally disrupt life as you have known it but it's also very entertaining and, in your case, will be extremely useful for your work. All my best, Delphine
It's lovely to hear from you, Delphine! I love the reassuring advice that "even children with dingbats for parents turn out alright" - maybe that will be my mantra going forward :)