Reflections

Today I read an article in the paper about family values and the author used this song as an example:

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said, "I’m gonna be like you, Dad,
You know I’m gonna be like you"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, dad, I don’t know when,
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

My son turned ten just the other day
He said "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play
can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do" He said "Thats okay"
And then he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said "I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m going to be like him"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, dad, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

Well he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile

"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad,
You know we'll have a good time then.

I’ve long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day........
I said "I'd like to see you if you don’t mind"
He said "I'd love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.
But It's sure nice talking to you, Dad,
It's been sure nice talking to you........"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me..............


And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad
We're gonna have a good time then

This song has always been a favorite of mine.

When I was younger, it was just a catchy tune.

When I was a teenager, I thought its an ending befitting a parent who was never around. Hey, what goes around, comes around right?

Now that I'm a working mother, I realise that the balancing act is a delicate thing. How do we ensure that the scales do not tip at either end? Is that even possible? Working, parenting, housework and then what about ourselves? Our friends?

So many times I caught myself doing the same thing as the Dad.

"Mummy, come color with Megan"

"Later, Mummy's busy."

"Nowwwwwwww Mummy!"

"I'm not freeee!"

I am scared of missing any part of my child's development. Everytime I stop to look, she seems different. But there are so many aspects of our lives to look into.

I feel bad when I leave the office early while my colleague are still slogging away at their desk.

It's frustrating when the pile of housework seems to hover gloomingly around you.

It's sad when I'm unable to catch up with friends who have grew up with me, shared the sorrows and tears and joys of the years that have gone by.

Then what about ourselves? Do we even factor into this equation?

Where is the balancing point? I always read about super careerwomen who say they balance their family life and their work very well. How is it possible? Or is my defination of "very well" different from theirs?