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to each our own

There’s this really cute couple that owns the nail salon near my hospital. The wife and I have been pregnant together two times now, and they always seem to remember me even though I only visit a few times a year. I’ve found that balance between enjoying my silence and pampering, and chatting with this family about kids and parenting.

My most recent visit happened to be just before I had Hadassah Lee. They were expecting a girl soon, as well. The three of us got to chatting about daughters of the two year-old persuasion. The fun, the cute, the sass. What on earth would it look like for all of these girls to become big sisters? I mentioned my  twins’ affinity for pedicures, especially the ones their daddy gives. I said something like, “You must have fun with your daughter’s nails, huh?”

He stopped scrubbing my feet to look up, a concerned look on his face. No. He does not paint his daughter’s nails. He is afraid she will put her fingers and toes in her mouth and chew on the polish. He does not want those chemicals near her. I squashed the rising mommy guilt and smiled. Of course. I understood. We continued to chat while he finished painting. He then left me to dry while he stepped outside, pulling something from his pocket as he walked. What was that? A lighter? Sure enough. The man who’s  afraid of chemicals near his baby girl, smoking a cigarette. I couldn’t help but laugh.

My husband cinches the car seats so tightly that the kids practically turn blue, but he has no issues with daily screen time. I have an almost-all-consuming fear that one of my children will develop MRSA cellulitis from a bug bite, but I feed them McDonald’s without qualm. Neither of us smoke. Neither of us have a problem painting our toddlers’ toenails, either.

Parents each have their own things. I like the idea of just rolling with it. We all long for a world where moms and dads support each better, right? Let’s stop longing. Let’s make it happen.

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6 Comments

  • Reply Lori MacRae October 13, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Really nice Rachel………:0)

  • Reply Verna October 13, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    Love this! Isn’t it funny how some parents are super concerned about certain things and others not at all? I think it’s fascinating!

  • Reply Carrie October 13, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    Amen! I always say that as parents, you have to just pick the top few most important things you want to focus on/worry about/ advocate for. It can’t be everything or you would go crazy! And realizing that everyone’s top things are different is key!

  • Reply Angela October 14, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    This is hilarious and reminded me of a trip to a health food store my husband and I took about 10 years ago. We were shopping and the owners were talking about how bad deodorant was for you while they were drinking cokes and smoking. The irony was completely lost on them but we got a kick out of it!

  • Reply Emily October 14, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    I think the nail polish on the toes of your girls is adorable! Regular nail polish does have some nasty chemicals though, so if you were interested you could always opt for some less toxic polish, like Zoya. (Which I love and you can find on Amazon.)

  • Reply Emily October 14, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    Amen! I love your perspective, good to be reminded that we all have our -things-

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