In the care of strangers

Today I dropped Liam off at the child care center at my gym while I exercised. It was the first time I'd left him in the care of strangers, and strangers for pay no less. I think I felt the anxiety that is typical for new parents, but went through with it nonetheless.

Milestone passed.

Liam was making happy sounds when I returned at the end of my workout.
Two observations on child care. First, I learned that children under two years old count the same as three older children in determining the proper level of day care supervision. I gladly patted myself on the back for bearing three times the normal parental burden. Which makes me wonder - isn't parenting supposed to get harder as they get older? That's mostly what people have been telling me, but today's experience suggests that's backwards.

Second, I will now have empirical evidence on how my child does in the care of paid babysitters (?) versus in my own care. Ideally, a child would be better-adjusted with a little bit of both, no? The child care attendant (what else do I call them?) said that he did fine but didn't like being left by himself. Note to self: Baby may be hard-wired to be social or may just get bored easily if he doesn't have his own toys. Look into that, self.

My first discrimination!

I just received notice that a locally-based parent/child play group "declined" my request to join. Turns out I don't have the right number of ovaries, one too many Y-chromosomes, or other snarky ways to say "no dudes." Moms only. :(

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. No surprise, I guess.

Or maybe I'll just post the mildly condescending message I just received from the group organizer:
"Tom, Thank you for your interest in our group. Unfortunately, as of right now we are a group that is designed for moms. I hope that you are able to find a group that is designed for stay at home dads. Here is a group that is for both parents. http://www.meetup.com/Rocklin-Couples-with-kids-group/ I hope you are able to find a group that is a right fit for you. I would also suggest that maybe you could look into starting your own group for dads! That would be awesome. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks again!"

Editor's note: mapquest.com says that it's 34.9 miles from Elk Grove to Rocklin, which is where I'd apparently have to drive to find the nearest meetup.com play group that allows dads. What gets me is the notion that I'd find that idea even remotely acceptable. Classic brush-off.

Topping it off is the classic passive-aggressive, mushy, passive voice ("I would also suggest that maybe you could.....that would be awesome") suggesting I start my own group. As if it were that easy.

OK, rant over. Time to be constructive. First question - how motivated am I to start my own meetup.com group for stay-at-home dads? Second question - do I allow chicks to join?

Moonbeam we need you!

So Jerry Brown is now officially in the Governor's race. Thank goodness.

Yes, they say that the Jerry Brown of 2010 is not the Jerry Brown of 1974. But let's hope that at least some of the eccentricity and unabashed liberalism remains. For the health of public discourse in the Golden State, we certainly could use it.

Given how screwed up California government is, we could sure use an eccentric's approach to our problems. Certainly couldn't be any worse than how things are already being run.

And we certainly could use a candidate who doesn't shy away from the L-word. Love him or hate him, Jerry Brown has plenty more spine than most Democrats these days. It's only with firm commitment to principles that the Democrats will be able to defeat yet another multi-millionaire Republican who thinks they can buy the Governorship.

Contrary to what Whitman or Poizner may tell you, government does not, can not, and should not be run like a corporation. We've wasted enough time already trying to make it that way. Hopefully, Jerry Brown will do something to change that.

Run, Jerry! Run!