I want to be a 1950's sitcom mom

By Robin P.

When I become overwhelmed by the daily chaos in my life, I close my eyes and pretend that I am in a 1950's sitcom.

In this altered reality, I am a full-time stay-at-home mom who does not have to worry about finances at all. Rich's job is more than enough to pay for everything that we need, including an annual family vacation. I don't worry about Lillianna's safety because no matter where she goes or who she is with, I know she will be safe. My house is always immaculate because everyone picks up after themselves.

A typical day goes something like this. I breeze into the kitchen in a gray poofy skirt, fitted pink angora sweater and a string of pearls around my neck. I tie a pretty lace apron around my waist as I get the percolator going for coffee. Just as I am putting the hot pancakes on the table, Rich and Lillianna come downstairs. Rich is dressed in a suit for his undisclosed job at "the office." Lillianna has dressed herself and put her hair in a ponytail without hysteria over her snarls. They smile at me and I blow them a kiss. We all sit down to a leisurely breakfast.

There is a knock at the door. It is Lillianna's friends -- time for school. I hand Lillianna her lunchbox and kiss her cheek as she skips and giggles down the walkway. It is a mile to her school but nothing will happen to a group of 7-year-olds if they walk by themselves. There is no need for me to drive her to school, buckled in the back seat of my car. The world is a safe place.

Rich is now ready to leave for work. I hand him his briefcase, we kiss good-bye and wish each other a good day. I quickly wash the breakfast dishes. It takes no time at all. I give the living room coffee table a quick brush with my feather duster and my house cleaning for the day is done. Apparently the rest of the house is self-cleaning, as I have never seen a 1950's TV mom do any more than this.

Ding-dong. The doorbell rings and it is my friends, Kristy, Amy and Mary, who have come to play bridge. Thank goodness they all live in the neighborhood since no one has a second car. We relax and enjoy our time together. We break for lunch with a tuna noodle casserole, Jello mold and a coffee cake. We do not worry about carbs or calories. Have they even been discovered yet? We talk about the upcoming town picnic and which pie we will be baking for the event. Girl time is so important.

At 3 p.m. Lillianna arrives home, safe and sound, as I expected she would. We  chat about her day at school over a glass of milk and some homemade cookies that I whipped up after the bridge game. We laugh over her funny antics in school and then she runs off to do her homework. There are no protests of, "Just let me watch TV for a while. Why can't I use the computer? I don't want to do my homework now."

Rich comes home from work at 6 p.m. and finds me cooking in the kitchen. It's not take-out pizza, fast food fare, BLTs or something that I just microwaved. It's an actual meal. He gives me a hug and kiss and says, "Mmmmm,dinner smells delicious." I smile sweetly and tell him to call Lillianna down for dinner.

I burst into the dining room through a swinging door. You can hear the swish of my skirt as I enter the room. I place the dish of pot roast and potatoes on the table with my oven mitts. I hurry back with the salad and buttered rolls. We all sit down to a hearty meal and amusing conversation. We are not sprawled out on the couch eating in front of the TV in sweatpants and a T-shirt because we are exhausted and it's just easier than sitting at the table.

We are a happy, loving family with enough time to enjoy our life together. Everything is right with the world.

Comments

[Rosemary Paniagua]

Wow! Im 22 and I wished times were like these! I would give up my laptop, my cell phone and my iPod just to spend one day in this era!!!

[Jaimie Edelbrock]

I would just like to note that so much has changed for women and mothers since the 1950s but one thing that has stayed almost the same is the way we feed the family. Mom makes the cookies and dinner and the breakfast although mom has a full time or part time job as well. Mom cooks then and mom cooks now. Why is this?

[Gary M.]

That's all fine and well until someone gets their eye poked out…oh, wait, that's what my Mom used to say. She was the 50's mom you described, except that she and most of her friends had dirty little secretes that they couldn't tell anyone outside of the family, my Mom's was a nervous breakdown, I'm pretty sure I caused it.

[Michelle]

Did you greet your hubby with his slippers and the daily newspaper? Or a scotch on the rocks? Very funny post.

[Christine Hohlbaum]

Oh Robin! That one made me giggle. Right now I am combat mama -- seems as though my dust bunnies have a bunny hutch under my furniture and behind the radiators. I've been cleaning my house with such vigor this week that I had to put on my fatigues. That is in my fantasy world. The truth is, I'm just fatigued!

Blessings,
Christine

[Jennifer]

I want to come too!

[Suzanne]

I like this world. Can I live there?

[RobinP]

I didn't think to change my friends' names since in my fantasy,I actually get to spend time with them. :)

[Dori]

There are grown women named Kristy and Amy in the 1950's??? GET OUT!!!! :0)