Kimchi Mamas

My Thoughts on "The Mommy Track"

Weigook Saram gave us all a heads up about this article on Slate, "The Mommy Track Turns 21, Why it no longer deserves a bad rap from feminists" by Angie Kim.

I've never really thought about being or not being on a "Mommy Track." I've only mainly thought about the pros and cons of being a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) versus working full time outside the home. I "chose" (in quotes because we need the double income to make ends meet unless we move to the outskirts and drastically change our lifestyle) to work full time because I prefer to work and pay someone else to raise my kids. JUST KIDDING. Well... only kind of?

Even if I had oodles of money, I don't think I would choose to stay home and raise my kids all on my own. I would probably still put them in some sort of daycare/preschool program. Why? Because I don't think I'm all that great at providing enough stimulation for them to learn and thrive. I can only play legos for so long until my butt gets sore and my legs fall asleep. Also, I want them to interact with other kids for a bulk of the day to help teach them social skills. But given that I don't have oodles of money, I work full time for Big Company who generously provide healthcare for my entire family and help me pay for diapers, groceries, and the mortgage. I like the intellectual stimulation that my work provides, as well as a sense of accomplishment I get when I finish a big project or see the product of my work being used in real life. I also like that I can be an employee or 8 hours a day, and not "mommy." 

Love at First Sight

Love at first sight... is what I felt the moment I laid eyes on Kim Yu-na (김연아).

 

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Mesmerized was what I was... during both of her performances... I think even my 3 year old son was crushing on her.

Hands down, she was the highlight of the 2010 Winter Olympics for me. Way to go Yu-na! 

This Kimchi mama (+ the rest of the world) loves you.  

You make me a little more proud to be Korean and I sure hope that all of your endorsements (she's the highest paid in endorsements among all celebrities in South Korea) help close the largest gender income gap in the developed world.  (Thank you Hyon Bin for the heads up about the great article!)

- Mary is a little sad that the Olympics are over and still a little pissed about all of South Korea's missed metal opportunities in short track. *sigh*