Being a parent in Rio de Janeiro is exhausting. I used to talk major shit about all the non-working Moms with nannies here. I've changed my tune. I have two now. I'm out numbered and I get it.
It's unacceptable to stay inside all day here. For starters, your place is 2 feet x 2 feet if you have money. It's about 13 in x 17 in for normal folk. Parents and children alike will go insane inside all day.
Then there's the weather. 98 % of the time it's beautiful. Who can resist being out and about on a beautiful day? Not this girl and not my kids! Then again, my maid will be the first to tell you that I'm the one who badly accustomed (in her words) them to life out on the streets. Makes me sound like I have them begging for change. Outside boys! Earn money for your pricey private school tuition!
So this whole post comes from an argument I had with my husband this evening. It was the "who had a harder day" argument. It's impossible to win, especially when the working husband can say that I, at least, got to have a wonderful day with our children.
What do you say to that?
No, I didn't! I've raised hellions!
I did have a wonderful day with the kids. But I thought I'd take a moment and break down what a wonderful day is:
730am - make and serve breakfast
8am - clean up breakfast
845am - prep kids for beach with Tio (Uncle) Japi. Aka. smear sunscreen, pack bag, give out last minute snacks and drinks, pack car
910am - pick up Tio Japi and head to beach
930am - beach. That means, play in sand, make sure baby doesn't drown in ocean the ENTIRE time we are at said beach. Thank Tio for taking turns making sure baby doesn't drown
1045am - leave beach because kids are already tired and baby has to take a bath and eat lunch before bath.
1115am - home
1120am - bath time for everyone
1135am - make plates and serve lunch
Noon - put baby down
1215pm - tidy after lunch
1230pm - quality time with oldest who did not nap
1pm - finally get to read a book while snuggling oldest who is watching his favorite show (Ben 10)
130pm - baby up
145pm - snack time
215pm - go to the grocery store with kids
245pm - meet friends at park
4pm - come back to the house with said friends
530pm - make dinner and serve to kids
6pm - clean up after dinner and run bath
615pm - give kids a bath
645pm - chocolate milk time for kids
7pm - youngest bed
730pm - finally get youngest to sleep and Daddy FINALLY arrives home from work
8pm - start teaching private English class
830pm - give oldest a kiss during class and then continue with class as Daddy puts him to bed
930pm - class over
now - BIG glass of wine and blog :)
I decided to not put in potty breaks and I eat at the same time as my kids when I can. If I can't, I grab something on the go. Wonder how I lost the pregnancy weight...
It's amazing how the time flies by! It's as if the day is over before it begun. If I put some effort into it, I could break the list down even further into play blocks with boys, do puzzle with oldest, color with youngest. But that would be obsessive. The point being, I don't stop all day. You see the one time I got to, which is rare, was when I read my book for a half hour. Golden! I don't usually get to stop.
So I get the nannies and full time maids. I was wrong and you were right. Does that mean I get one or both? Nope. But I see your point.
