Those rules are a nuisance

Now that I've published a post listing my formerly unwritten personal rules for blogging, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to remain in compliance, particularly with numbers 4, 9, and maybe even 3 (since an obvious alternative to 4 and 9 would be to not write for a while).

It would be nice to write a vague little post about recent feelings of ambivalence, ups and downs, frustrations and inspirations, just to unload a bit and maybe get a few nods from other moms who've felt the same. Then you could make individual conjectures about what the hell I'm talking about. In reality, "it" is no bombshell--just a topic I avoid because I don't want to hurt or offend anyone.

But "it" is just the typical plight of the working mom. It's not anything unique to feel pangs of sadness when you've got to pry a toddler off of each leg and exit daycare while they're both still wailing that they want to stay with you. And it's got to be completely normal to feel punched in the gut on the days they bolt through that same doorway to make a beeline for the toys without so much as a goodbye.

I can't be the only one who's noticed her kids are more off the wall challenging at dinnertime after having been in a different environment for the past 10 hours--or who wakes up on a work day slightly relieved that there will be two fewer meals to serve and significantly less shit to wipe (I was really running out of points to make by the time I got to number 10).

And who else feels totally into their career one day and all wrong about it the next? Raise your hand if you suffer from a terminal case of grass-is-greener syndrome.

For the record, this is NOT a go-to-work vs. stay-at-home post (I should have made getting into Mommy Wars number 11). I do not care what decisions other moms make about their careers while raising families or seek input on how I should handle mine. I have infinitely more flexibility and support from my employer than most--maybe all--other working moms I know. And I've got an amazing husband and extremely caring childcare providers, all the more reason to have no reason to complain.

So let's call it an observation (safe on number 9--whew!): Even under the best possible circumstances, sometimes trying to do it all still kind of sucks.