Advice from the Professors

Daddy's on the case

From: Steve- In Reno

Question

We have a 7-month-old son. She's been off of work since his birth, but has recently returned this past week. I'm a firefighter with 15-20 days off a month, so I'm now Mr. Mom, spending all day with our son and loving every minute of it.

When "Mommy" comes home from work (school teacher), it seems she's fishing for horror stories about having to deal with the boy, but I don't have any. She was constantly telling me how hard her life was during her extended maternity leave and how she couldn't wait for the tables to turn. Now they have and I'm not experiencing the same type of "Hell" she did, and now she resents me for being what she calls a "better" parent.

Any advice as to how to deal with this?

Comments

Stevie,

Mommies seem to like to swap horror stories about child rearing, it's a way of competing for the "who has the hardest life" prize that's coveted by true Mommies.

We suggest you spin a few yarns about your son to calm your Mommie and give her stories to share at work. This will allow her the competition she wants with the other Mommies, and keep her from starting to believe that it's not so damn hard.

BTW- Watch out when your son turns one year old- she'll be wanting a repeat so they are spaced about two years apart!