after-school and incredible biological science.

I have the afternoons off from my job at an architectural firm and then I go back to work in the evenings at an art gallery in downtown.  I cherish my free time at home when the kids aren't back from school, away from their messes and the inevitable noise.  Although I love the free time to clean with my yellow rubber gloves, I would never pass up an opportunity to spend time with the littlest human in our household.  Said human gets off the school bus at approximately 2:45 and from that point on we do homework, we read, we play, we snack, and we watch Sponge Bob.  That time spent together is so precious because it's time spent getting to know this tiny piece of incredible biological science who's learning how to read, write, and be creative.  I wouldn't dream of putting her in after-school since she only lives with us for the first half of the week- there's so much we already miss out on.

On the flip side, after-school is a huge help if you're a busy someone who owns tiny humans.  It's convenient, relatively inexpensive, and somewhat educational.  If you work all the time and can't afford to be a stay-at-home parent, then after-school is a great resource.  That's why it kills me that the tiny one is in after-school for the other half of the week on the days her mother doesn't work, and yesterday her mother forgot to pick her up.  That's right, she didn't pay her after-school bill so the tiny one isn't allowed to attend the program anymore, and her mother forgot to pick her up yesterday from school.  On her day off.  When she didn't have any occupational obligations.  My blood was boiling.

I cherish my time with my future step-human.  I love her because I want to, and despite the difficulties that come along with entering into a blended family, I wouldn't trade my time with her for the world.  Despite the constant rants and raves I have with myself about her biomom's decisions (and sometimes even her very existence), I have to remember that my time with this lovely little girl is limited.  Rather than putting my thoughts on after-school, I have to remember to put them on what's best for this incredibly sweet piece of biological science.