360 Feedback.

I left the working world after Noah came along. It's not something I ever thought I would do, but at the time it seemed like the right decision. And, while I don't miss my old job, I do miss working. I miss figuring things out. I miss projects, I miss deadlines, I miss collaborating with others, I miss learning new things, the challenges and the friendships. It aggravates and embarrasses me when someone questions what I do with my time because, at the heart of it, I really don't think I'm doing enough. I don't like referring to myself as a Stay at Home Mom and the term Homemaker makes me cringe. I will never be a Domestic Goddess. If it comes up, I just prefer to say that I'm not working.

One of the more surprising things I miss from working is the feedback. Even in mealy-mouthed England, you pretty much know where you stand in your job. So when I came across this list, I was excited yet hesitant in giving it to the boys. Although we kept Question Time light, I was very interested to hear what the boys thought of their boss...

What is something Mommy always says to you?
Elliot: I love you so much.
Noah: Go to sleep.

What makes Mommy happy?

Elliot: Cuddles and kisses.

Noah: Kisses.

What makes Mommy sad?

Elliot: Shouting.

Noah: Ummm... shouting (taking a cue from his older brother).

What was Mommy like as a child?

Elliot: Um. I can't do that answer.

Noah: Um. A boy.

How old is Mommy?

Elliot: Ten hundred.

Noah: Um. I don't know.

How tall is Mommy?

Elliot: A hundred-eleven feet long.

Noah: Um. I don't know.

What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?

Elliot: Cooking.

Noah: Tooking (hard-consonant sounds are tough).

How does Mommy make you laugh?

Elliot: Tickling us.

Noah: Laugh! Laugh! Laugh!

What does Mommy do when you're not around?

Elliot: Uh. I don't know. Actually, I think you cook.

Noah: Play.

If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?

Elliot: Getting coins.

Noah: I don't know.

What is Mommy really good at?

Elliot: Cooking.

Noah: Cooking.

Even Thanksgiving dinner isn't complete without ketchup...

What is Mommy not very good at?

Elliot: I don't know. [Unsatisfied, he looks around the room...] Um. reaching that smoke alarm.

Noah: I don't know. (Noah's beginning to lose interest.)

What does Mommy do for her job?

Elliot: Working

Noah: I don't know.

What is Mommy's favorite food?

Elliot: Chicken.

Noah: Salad.

What makes you proud of Mommy?

Elliot: Doing chores.

Noah: (Noah has now left the room in total disinterest.)

How are you and Mommy the same?

Elliot: We have black faces. (He gets black and white mixed up a lot.)

Noah: (He's left the room again.)

How are you and Mommy different?

Elliot: We don't both have watches on.

If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Elliot: The Fairy Godmother.

What do you and Mommy do together?

Elliot: Play football.

Noah: Play fire engines (he's back, but not thrilled that I'm still questioning them).

How do you know Mommy loves you?

Elliot: Because you say it lots when we go to bed.

Not too shabby. But I need to get to work on my Fairy Godmother application.