I have a 6 year old son who is on a travel hockey team. (yes, travel ice hockey - i do realize this is ridiculous)  Anyhow, this time of year they have try-outs for next season. The hockey career of our son is basically my husbands responsibility. The 3 times a week practices and the one game a week or weekend tournaments are all his work. Of course my 3 year old daughter and I go to the tournaments and some games, but the drudgery of the practices - changing in and out of the equipment etc, are all his deal.

Anyhow, tonight we go to the try-outs. It's a 3 night long event and this was the 3rd night. There are approximately 40 kids trying out for 3 teams. Mostly all the children make a team, it simply depends on whether it's an A-B-or C team.

So I'm in the stands watching my son and internally beaming with pride. He is really good - come on - he's six! The other parents' pride and passion, NOT so internal.

'Shoot the puck'

'Jason, what are you doing?!'

'Take the body'

'Pass it'

'Go - Go - Go Eric, SKATE!'

I don't understand this. First off, it's a try-out - NOT a game. and secondly, my goodness, they are 6, 7, and 8 year old children on the ice. Let them play and have fun.

So this was not the only disturbing situation of the evening...

While out with a few girlfriends last week, we noticed many men and women at the bar. It was 6pm. Obviously, happy hour after work. Honestly, it was a fluke that we were all out together at that time, but it was something that we had planned for some time. Actually, it got us thinking. Within this circle of my friends, we ran the gamut as far as mom 'type'. A few are full-time working moms, one part-time working mom, 2 business owners, and 2 'stay-at-home' moms.  As we started to talk about everything, including the challenges within our Hybrid Mom lives - as we often do, we came up with Hybrid Mom Happy Hour. What a great idea?! Why can't we get 1/2 priced drinks? We simply can't get to the bars and restaurants at 6pm any night of the week. Who will take care of the kids? Doesn't quite make sense to get a babysitter for that - well, at least not every week.  So, after that discussion I called a business relationship that we have in our community. This gentleman owns 12 Ruby Tuesday's in New York. Linda and I proposed the idea to him and he absolutely loved it.  Why am I writing this? Well, I want to hear from iVillage readers. Would you and your friends love a night out? Would you go to Hybrid Mom Happy Hour at a Ruby Tuesday's? It probably would be a Wednesday night from 8pm (after the kiddies are down and the hubby is home) to 11pm. 1/2 priced drinks plus a fun special Hybrid Momtini!!  Now, that sounds like a fun night out! Don't we deserve it?

I would just like to hear your feelings and thoughts and of course any feedback or ideas. Thanks for providing me with a platform enabling me to hear from the great iVillage readers! I look forward to hearing your comments. THANKS!
 

Yesterday was my typical Monday. I drop my daughter at her 2 1/2 hour pre-school day and since we live 20 minutes away, I visit my local Panera for that free wi-fi and some fabulous coffee. It is my office away from home. Love it (and this is NOT a sponsored endorsement!)

I set up the laptop and start working. I was having a conversation on my cell phone with our investors.  After about 20 minutes of some serious discussions, I look up and around at the other patrons. There were 7 women between the ages of 30-40 - I'd say - ALL with their laptops and cell phones/blackberry's on the table. This was all before 11am. It does amaze me where we have come. Forget technology and the ability for us to truly be productive and mobile beings, but the fact that we - Hybrid Moms - have these options and opportunities to work, live and play on our own terms. Awesome really. 
(keep reading - there's more)

Hi. This is Linda, Stacey's partner in crime. Since she had posted her experience with the PTA, I felt it would be appropriate to post my experience with my son's cub scout group...

Since when is a low grade fever like the plague?

 

My seven year woke up the other day with a head ache and a 101 degree fever.  I obviously kept him home from school and I did my best to get Motrin in him every 4-6 hours and keep him hydrated while having my 5 year old steer clear of the whole situation.  No need to have a full blown epidemic in the house.

 

It happened to be the day of his den meeting for Tiger Scouts later that afternoon.  Now I have to preface this by saying that Scouting was supposed to be something that my son and his Dad did together.  However, our den leader makes the meetings on Thursdays at 4:30 in the afternoon when my husband is still at work as are the other dads.  So, not only did Scouting end up on my plate (do you feel the bitterness?) but the den leader is totally hard core.  She takes her role very seriously and we have a bit of tension between us stemming from a bout as co-class mothers from Kindergarten the year before.  She took that role just as serious and again, we’re talking Kindergarten.  Whether you show up with Munchkins or home made gourmet cupcakes, your child is thrilled just to have their mom in the class that day.  I’m not knocking her dedication or her commitment here, I just feel that we’re talking first grade and Tiger Scouts and if my son is not in his full uniform for each den meeting (she actually checks for the blue socks) that the world is not going to end.

If you haven't read my last posting about my trials and tribulations in the elementary school PTA - you'll need to read it first - click here - because this entry won't be nearly as funny until you read that one!

So here is the update...After the whole advertising debacle, this was the PTA President's email to me:

PTA President: "Sorry for the Monkey wrench on the ads.  I see your true entrepreneurial spirit is in there and hate to dash it, perhaps you would consider getting involved in pasta night next year -maybe a journal would be a nice touch!!  Thanks again for taking this task on!!"

Yes, I too had to re-read it a few times for it to sink in. That 2 line email has many ridiculous statements in it.
Let's discuss the 'journal' idea for next year. WHY is that any different than selling ad space in the newsletter?! and 2) what - get involved in Pasta Night next year! - um...NO-Piranha... NO! This is what gives PTAs a bad wrap. They just suck you in and make you regret volunteering.

Continue on reading to see the next few correspondence's between the two of us....

So, my big guy is in Kindergarten. Now, this is obviously my first experience in 'real' public school - so I did what many virgin moms within the public school system do, attend that first PTA meeting back in September. I'm sitting there listening to this year's committee and seeing the seriousness of it all. I start to look around thinking to myself - am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous? Don't get me wrong...I understand the importance of parental involvement in the school system and I do not minimize the work that goes into it, but there is no reason that it needs to all be this serious. The voting is what pushed me over the edge. We had to vote in favor or opposition of the newly appointed treasurer. "All in favor...say I". Everyone (including me said I) no one said 'ney'. Who would say 'ney'. Why would you say 'ney'. Geez. It was all too silly for me.

Then it comes time to start divvying up the committee chairs for the upcoming year. I tried. I really did try to hide. It simply didn't work. The piranha’s got me.

"Stacey Smith, don't you run a magazine?"

Me: "Um, yes."

PTA Pres: "Well then wouldn't you do wonders with our school Newsletter! Why don't you take that and run with it."

Me: "Sure."

Like many of you, I'm a busy mom with young kids, just trying to get through the day without going crazy.  With the little ones in your life there are an inordinate amount of stages that we need to conquer. Whether it's the newborn stage...'Only a few more months and then I'll get some sleep again.', the toddler tantrum stage...'I understand it's their only way to communicate and let us know how they are feeling - but gosh it's purely draining', the preschool separation phase - the 'aw how cute they love me so much that they don't want me to leave feeling only lasts for so long' stage, the Kindergarten and school bus anxieties - mine and theirs, all can take quite the toll.

I have found myself during all of these stages and experiences, telling myself - if i can just get through this, there has to be a light at the end of the tunnel.  Well, I believe I came to an epiphany last night while at the pizza place with my daughter. Sitting in the booth together, I watched her eat the bite-sized pizza pieces (even though she screeched "I want to eat it big!" AFTER I cut it all up), and felt, dare I say it...happy.  How adorable she was eating those pieces and enjoying whatever conversation we could have at this age.

How do you do it all? That is the number one question presented to us every day from other aspiring mompreneurs. I’m certain it’s a rhetorical question. There is no way anyone can do it all. I try but when you are running your own business and managing children, a husband and a household – something has to give. Sacrifices need to be made.

Yesterday’s sacrifice was a typical one…dinner.

Upon waking up I realize that it’s been a week since my last trip to the supermarket. Don’t forget to defrost the chicken, I tell myself.

Get out of bed and ready for the day – this means brushing my teeth, putting on clothes and throwing the hair up in a clip. Again, it’s all about sacrifice.

Moving on...get the 1 ½ year old out of her crib while the 4 ½ year old prepares himself for his day. The outfit is a green shirt with maroon sweatpants. Have to pick your battles, right?  Have to get moving for the drive to preschool followed by the 9:30 kickboxing class then back to the home office for a few hours of productive ‘work’ while the little one naps.  It’s too late to make breakfast so it’s the drive thru of Dunkin Donuts - again. There’s nothing wrong with throwing 2 egg and cheese croissants back into the 2nd row of a minivan, right? What’s a few more crumbs?

Kiss goodbye at preschool. Get to the gym and luckily the little one is happy today in the babysitting service – sorry - her playdate (shhh it makes me feel better)!