The Toddler Birthday Party

It is Sunday afternoon. I am a toddler’s birthday party with my husband and my two year old son. The party is at her home. The decorations are gorgeous, the food spread is amazing and the host is so warm and welcoming! I see the new ideas and their flawless implementation and quickly compliment the host on the perfection.

I notice all that as I enter the party along with something that was not that new in any gathering – the men’s den and the women’s gathering area. Guess where the female gathering is? Yes, the kitchen and kids play area. Guess where the men’s den is? Yes, on the couch, in front of television, yes, even in a party.

What else was not new? Different problems faced by men and women. As usual, as soon as I enter, working mothers or not; talks about their struggles at home. As usual, all men working talk about technology, their work environment and immigration.

I go back and forth trying to help the host, look after my son, try to feed him something, check on my husband. Then catch up with some other women to listen to the same cribbing! All this happens while the men barely change their seats on the sofa but definitely change topics of discussion. Everything but kids and home! No one helps the kids with games or food or diapers or pee-pee. The women are not bothered asking them. Should I be?

Oh well, clocking out now!!