Miguel keeps harping on me to do something with my vast intelligence to make us some more money. "You can design websites, write a children's book, invent something. . .you're so intelligent, but you don't do anything with it." Well, except for teaching, I always respond, but he always counters with "that won't make us rich." Not that he's a materialistic person or anything. But this is the first time in his adult life that he's had to live from paycheck to paycheck (essentially) without money tucked away somewhere for a rainy day, and he's not liking the feeling.
So, I've looked into the children's book thing, and that's not very lucrative. I've thought about designing websites, but I'd have to go drum up a clientele, and with my current schedule, I can't guarantee timelines. But I have hit on an idea. I've been doing a lot of research into the history of mathematics, and I think I can write a pretty good book for High School Algebra teachers to use in order to incorporate history into their math classrooms and still "cover the curriculum" as we say. The history makes the algebra so much more understandable, so I don't see why anyone would want to skip it. I'll work up something as a prototype over the summer and see where it takes me.
In the meantime, I'll be working on keeping myself afloat amid my sea of grading. . .which I've procrastinated on again. . .
7 comments:
Sounds like a "living book" that homeschoolers would love, too. A living book is one written by someone who is passionate about the subject, who makes the subject come alive and inspires passion in the reader.
Okay, the quietness is driving me crazy. Sure, you're smart, but do you think "vast" might be overstating it a bit?
And the more I've thought of this, the more it makes me angry. Miguel wants you to stay home with Angie, but he wants more money, and he's laid it in your lap to do both. (This is a repeating theme, you know, so I feel compelled to comment.) He's a man (presumably) and has certain obligations which he does not seem to be living up to. You can't have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. Does this not bother anyone else?
I am a fairly intelligent person myself (a genius, if you can believe an online IQ test, which is doubtful) and I find motherhood to be a fairly challenging use of all my creative and intellectual powers. But that's just me. I suppose, like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it.
Well, now I've said my piece (or is it peace?). I love you dearly and I hope you still love me.
Firstly, read "vast" as a humorous overstatement. Secondly, if by "living up to his responsibilities" as a man, you mean he should be bringing home enough bacon to see us through thick and thin, it is not possible for him to do that. Why not? I hear you asking. He could/should get a second job, more education, something in order to provide for us. He could do either of those things, but that would mean Angie is without a father, in essence, because she would never see him, and I don't want that. Neither does Miguel. What I do want is for us to be able to live comfortably as a family, where both parents are involved in raising the children on a daily basis. I, as the one with better earning potential, have it within my power to ease our monetary situation. Granted, full time motherhood and part time employment are hard to mix, but I'm willing to do it. It does bother me that women, working women especially, are still expected to do all of the major parenting and homemaking, regardless of their other contributions to the home. In our situation, it is impractical to think that I don't have to work in order to maintain our ability to raise our daughter together. I understand why you and others think it unfair, but it is what it is.
Let me additionally comment that he is currently working a second job (at H&R Block) to earn a little extra income, but again, his qualifications are minimal and therefore his earning potential limited.
And why wouldn't I still love you for saying your piece (peace)? Although you've attacked my man's manliness, without even knowing him to boot, I can understand where it's coming from, as you are receiving an admittedly one sided view of our situation -- that of a new mommy feeling overwhelmed. Yes, I still love you!
Well, thanks for the info. I suppose that's what I was most thinking-that you'd be responsible for the child raising AND the income.
I also know it is extrememly difficult to live up there on one income. Not impossible, but certainly a challenge.
And no, I don't know Miguel, and I'm not much of a one for judging people I don't know. For the record, he has gone neither up nor down in my opinion. (I don't really have an opinion on him. He just is!)
Love,
Jennie
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