I never really understood why the practice of going to work when one is the parent of a small child is referred to as “juggling.”
But now I get that both involve dropping things.
Like a full box of pipette tips, for instance. Or a freshly pumped bottle of breastmilk. Or an expensive piece of laboratory glassware.
And that is only the concrete objects. There are also the bazillion small tasks on my to-do list that have somehow fallen off of it without my noticing. Like writing thank you notes for baby gifts. Or taking out the trash on the appropriate day. Or remembering to put said breastmilk in the fridge when I get home and not at 4am when I suddenly remember that it is still in my backpack.
And that is where the metaphor breaks down. Juggling (to me) implies a small number of equally-sized tasks, calmly and regularly following one another through the air. But really, it feels more like two flaming torches, and half a dozen stuffed animals, and a stroller and an oscilloscope and an ungodly number of towels, all in various states of constantly falling down.
Oh yes, and a baby.
But despite the nagging feeling that I am not really holding it together, I guess— three weeks in— that I have manged to keep the most important balls in the air.
Namely, data was collected:
And the baby is still alive:
Everything else I figure I can pick up later.
Sewingelle | 10-Jan-11 at 7:29 pm | Permalink
ooh, I feel for you.
Even though my two are 10 and 12, I remember the juggling then went on for me to get back to and stay in the lab. Everything needs to be so finely balanced, there’s not much room for error, or all the arrangements you carefully put in place fall down and knock each other over.
But its so worth it to be able to combine parenting with a science job you love! And as my children become more independent I had more and more time to get back into my sewing hobby.
Karen Fassler | 11-Jan-11 at 12:22 am | Permalink
We’ve been there, and know you and David are going to be outstanding parents! Never mind the thank you note. I just wanted to be sure you got the card and that I didn’t somehow misplace it!
Parenthood has permanently affected my short-term memory.
We enjoyed your mom’s visit, by the way.
Carolyn | 11-Jan-11 at 6:53 pm | Permalink
*LOL* As the mother of three daughters who are grown and well-adjusted young women…you will be fine! And before you know it, you will become so adept at juggling that when it finally comes time to stop, you will miss it!