23 February 2011

On Bicycling and Staying Home

There's a man I see everyday. He and his son ride a tandem bicycle down our street twice a day -- once to school and once back. The bicycle is adult sized in the front and child sized in the back. After dropping off his boy, the father rides home, back up our street, and I don't see him again until about 2:15. Then, off he goes.

Which got me thinking about what the father must do for work. It must be something flexible and at home. Maybe he's a stay-at-home dad or maybe he's a freelance writer or designer. Whatever it is, he's always there riding with his kid to school in the morning and home in the afternoon.

Which got me thinking about hard choices. Not to beat a dead horse, but I'm really glad I (mostly) stay home with Lily. It's taken some creative finagling. It's taken sacrifice for Adam and for me. It can be simultaneously fun and mind numbing, but I think it's a hard choice worth making.

Seeing the man on the bicycle makes me happy because I can see that being me in the future. Dropping the kids off at school and doing my own freelance work. Riding my bike or walking to pick up the kids after school. Keeping a flexible schedule so that I can be available for them. I think that's an important part of being a mom -- being available. Lily doesn't need me every second of the day, but when she does, I'm usually around. Right where I want to be.

1 comment:

Christine said...

I love this. Very encouraging to read today.