The best part of being a working mom

There are lots of things I don't like about working full time, not the least of which is all the time I have to spend apart from my precious little ducks. But I like the routine of it; I like contributing to the support of my family; I like the achievement need it fills in me; I like having a place to go where I am rarely interrupted, never sat on or thrown up on, and never followed into the bathroom.

But the very best part is days like today. I'm sick. My head hurts, my stomach is churning, I have the chills and I'm all stuffed up. I came to work today because I couldn't tell if a couple ibuprofen would get me through, or if I really needed to stay under the covers all day. Now that I'm here, I know I'm pretty worthless. Luckily, there are no urgent issues to attend to here, so I'm heading home. And here's the best part: no one will be there! My normally noisy, chaotic house will be still and silent. I will be able to cuddle up with my remote control and beloved pillow and really rest, with no one the wiser. Being at work this morning has allowed me to keep every ball in the air I needed to (email clean, phone calls made, critical meetings attended). And between 9:30 (when my last important meeting ends) and 3p, I will be blissfully hidden away from the demands and expectations of the world. I will send no emails. I will wipe no butts. I will settle no disagreements (personal or professional). I will rest and (hopefully) recover. Because heaven knows these few hours is probably all I will get. But it should be enough, and I'm willing to bet more than lots of my stay at home sisters get when they're battling a bug. A small blessing, to be sure, but one for which I am very grateful nonetheless...