Well today was the first day of school for all of Brussels. I took care of Poppy for a bit while Kelly got Sonny settled in her 4 year old class. I happened to see them at the end of the day too and Sonny seemed like she took the transition in stride. I can't believe it, but I even got a bit of butterflies seeing all the kids off for the first day. I rememer the smell of cleaner in the school and the newly made bulletin boards. I especially loved the smell of the new books.
I remember in third grade I was just getting into how I looked and dressed. It was school orientation day and one of the few days that we could wear what we wanted to (and not the school uniforms.) I must have tried on 10 outfits trying to decide what to wear. Perhaps it was because I had glasses as big as my head and my mom just took pity on me but rather than fuss at me to hurry up, I remember my mom patiently pulling out more and more clothes, for over 30 min., until I found what I felt right in. (I still remember I wore a dark blue shirt rolled up at the sleeves and some type of skirt or shorts.) Funny that of all the experiences I have had, that is always a vivid memory to me.
After seeing Sonny off to school and visiting with some friends at the local school I headed to yet another school function. This one was a champagne brunch to celebrate sending the kids off to the first day of school at the International School of Brussels. There were over 50 women there of all different nationalities. It was especially interesting because I met a woman who is the Chief Information Officer of a large company. She has just taken a new job and will be commuting to London from Monday through Friday every week. Her husband stays home and does the traditional 'housewife things'. He cooks, cleans, does the laundry, grocery shops, manages the kids schedules etc. She did mention that if the kids are sick they want to still be around her though, so I guess there will always be some type of maternal nurturing side to moms.
After meeting her I met a guy that is in the same situation (imagine being the only guy among 50 women at a champagne brunch!) He was a totally normal guy that just happens to stay at home while his wife works. I am embarassed that the idea of this is just SO different to me that I have a really hard time getting my mind around the idea of dad doing the laundry and mom going to board meetings. Kudos to them though!
It is a little odd to be at both schools today since I don't have kids, but I am always up for a party! All of my friends here want me to have a child so that we will all be in the same boat. I explain to them--why shoud I have a child if right now I get all the benefits of hugs, parties, and cute stories and none of the hassle of temper tantrums, dirty diapers and sleepless nights? For right now, I am in the perfect situation!
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