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We are two working mothers — Lauren Rose, the director of business development for Name Bubbles, and Betsy DeMars, the assistant managing editor at The Saratogian. Try as we may to be really good at both, balancing motherhood and career can get pretty messy. As professionals, work schedules and mommy schedules often collide. So, we plow through, hoping at the end of the day, our kids — Lauren's 5-year-old son and Betsy's 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter — know how much we love them.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Motherhood mayhem

A day in the life of living with an (almost) five year old:

My son: "If the principal calls, don't pick up. Don't do it, mom." Me: What? My son: "I'm talking about when I'm in Kindergarten."

While busily discussing world news and preparing to leave for work, my husband and I failed to notice that our son was eating ice cream out of the container on our couch. When discovered, he smiled and said he saw it on Oswald and just wasn't in the mood for the waffle I made him.

I asked my son to go brush his teeth and he responded "you got it, girl!"

It's pretty obvious I'm not Mother of the Year, but I sure do enjoy being a mom.


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Our family's version of Beiber Fever

My son's first haircut was more like a trim. It took us three years to get to that point. The three of us (my son, myself and my husband) have this thing about my son's hair. I can't really explain our collective attachment to it, but we sure do have one. Thankfully, we have a very patient stylist who specializes in cutting children's hair. Miss Michelle is the best.

We met Michelle Daus initially at the kid-friendly salon Scissors of Oz on Ballston Avenue, now the home of Swagger - a salon for men. Michelle recently refreshed her business with a big move to the east side of town. Now, across from Five Points Deli, Shear Magic is THE place for kids cuts in Saratoga Springs, NY. Our son enjoys getting his hair cut, and actually looks forward to the Saturday morning ritual once a month.

Last weekend we decided we'd consider a shorter haircut. This was a BIG step for us. Michelle worked her magic on what's now referred to as "The Bieber" in our household and kept Kenneth entertained like only a seasoned nanny or Mary Poppins could. "She's like a kid whisperer", I said to my husband as we watched her work her magic.

Click here for more information on Miss Michelle and Shear Magic.


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Thursday, February 10, 2011

My relax function is broken

I have absolutely no idea how to relax.

Seriously, there is definitely something wrong with me. I can be at work all day, and when I get home, I cannot just sit and chill. Not with a laundry basket full of clean clothes sitting across the room staring at me. And not with a dust bunny looming in the corner.

There are always going to be things to do; I know that. But I just can't buy into that "just leave it, it will be there tomorrow" theory -- because 1.) It's just going to bug me every minute until then, and 2.) There are going to be more things to do tomorrow.

I'm realizing lately, however, that this craziness taking its toll on me. It's to the point where I don't know how to function on vacation. Last year when we were camping at Lake George (Roger's Rock Campground -- our favorite family getaway), we were sitting around after breakfast with no real plans for the day. I started batting around ideas of where we could dart off to -- we could go shopping in Bolton Landing, or hiking, or this, or that ... My sister Jenn stopped me. "Betsy, what's wrong with doing nothing?"

Apparently, I stink at that. And while it's somewhat admirable to not be a lazy person, this has gotten out of control. It's taken those close to me looking me in the eyes and telling me: "It's OK to do nothing sometimes."

Last night, my husband and I were talking about our upcoming Florida vacation in the Keys, and I suggested we each make a list of the things we want to do while we are there. He said he didn't need to because my checklist would keep the family busy all week.

"No, sir," I protested. "I only have like three things -- the Everglades, snorkeling at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and going out to Key West one evening to watch the sunset, oh, and maybe going on a glass-bottom boat tour. I'm good with doing nothing some of the time."

But he doesn't believe me. "You'll sit around for a couple hours and then insist we go do something. I just know it."

Hmmm. I'm taking that as a challenge. I'm going to relax on this vacation -- whether I like it or not!

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