A former co worker called me yesterday. I have not talked with him in a few years. He knows I left the company to be a full time parent. The first question he asks is "Are you working again?", knowing full well that I have two kids at home. Anyway, my answer was, "No, I'm at home home with the baby and volunteering at my older daughter's school." He then proceeded to tell me how so and so was promoted to manager and blah, blah this and that about the company. After hanging up the phone, I wished I had told him that I was indeed working...working at raising my own kids. I would have liked to have added, " Is your wife at home with the kids?" knowing full well they both work and use daycare. After he says no, my reply would be, " I'm sorry to hear that." And proceed to tell him about my children's accomplishments.

Am I being a bit neurotic? Probably. But just once I would like to be quick witted enough to counter such comments. It probably would not do any good, except allow my neurotic mind to score a victory. Sometimes I just get tired of listening to other peoples " follow the heard" mentality on child care. I want to tell people how wonderful it is to stay home with the kids and how I believe it makes for better kids. But, I can't. I can't speak my mind on the topic among friends and family because it may offend someone and isolate me more than I already am. So, I'll go on listening to all the crap about the virtues of daycare and big corporate work loads.

Thanks for letting me vent. I think I can go to sleep now.