So you can have both without pulling your hair out and popping antidepressants like candy?

It has been told by people living abroad that there exists a place where you can have a job, have a baby, take off work to care for baby and return to work without worries you are no longer employed, or holding the same position. Really? Really! And the same people who claim there is a balanced world out there for women, or men- whoever is caring for the children, er newborns initially and earning a living do not understand the seemingly undo frazzle that they hear from us American gals when faced with the challenge of doing it all.

The reason they cannot understand our worries is because they have not had children in the states. They happened to be living in France when they started to extend their family unit. Yes, they lived in the states most of their lives, but not as moms to be. Not as women who have been in the workforce for over a decade, and all of a sudden was hit with FMLA, or not, or can I afford to take off? Can I afford not to. Where and who is going to be raising my little bundle of joy? The question itself sounds crazy! But I have conservative views about the notion concerning raising my own kids for the first 2 years of life. At least the first 18 months. Instead, we are allowed possible 6 weeks. Yep, when you schedule your follow up with the ob/gyn, it is so they may sign you out with a note. Passing, you may return to work. And off you go.

But the baby is just a peanut, and the last thing on your mind is what you did before you became who you are now. And the brain is so full of feedings and diaper changes and napping schedules- how is one to disrupt this orchestral maneuver you have finally come to sync in with your newborn? And for what? Oh, that's right. You must make money to provide for that little mini you that you love more than you could ever imagine, and you now realize what men were put on this earth for.

Romance, love...nice. Sure. But there isn't a car or a diamond or a platinum AMex that could win your heart like this little being before you. There is no comparing this love, parental to child love, with any love you have felt before. And all of a sudden, your parents are amazing again. All they did for you is finally realized, and I can only imagine the patience they had just waiting for me to become a parent too- so I can really get it. Get them. Every good and shitty thing they did, is now just balled up in a mush of understanding- i get it mom and dad. You loved me to death. You grounded me to keep me safe. Note to self- do not ground your daughter in hopes of saving her from the world. she will escape my clutches as fast as she can, and go out into the world with as much naivete as you had in thinking that was a good decision. Just saying. But I get it and I love them for it.

Are we for family, or not? Capitalism does not work right with this family planning component. And we pay for it. In lower salaries. In higher insurance premiums. In sacrificing. And the sacrifice I have no problem with as long as I'm not bent over in the process. Because I am not into getting screwed by a bunch of ass kissing, corporate whores for power. Perhaps that is why I did get it good. I have a mouth on me, an opinion just like everyone else. But I speak up and out. And good god, do not rock the boat. NO waves please! Lesson 1- don't think I'm too good to kiss ass, especially when the sickness you were experiencing was from pregnancy. And depression. But pregnancy is the key word, or state of me. I didn't get a short time off, I got bent over- without ever being kissed. And, they took my payment for services rendered.

I love Texas, and I love the U.S., but it does not take a person living under a bridge to conclude- something is wrong with the way we do business with our people. We are fractured because we don't believe the sum is greater than its parts. Thanks Gestalt! Viva la Revoluccion!