Speak Up

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Table for Four

Considering my complaining has reduced quite a bit over the last several years, due to this blog and many of you, I'm proud to say I've really got a handle on this chef wife thing. And because of that, I'm in the best place to have another baby. I'm due in July, and very excited to be expanding my family.

Thank you all for the support over the years, because I would not have been able to handle the work that comes from children without being able to say "this chef wife thing, yeah, I got that. "

Food is Love,
Hilary

4 comments:

Jaime said...

I stumbled across your blog a little over a year ago when I found myself terribly frustrated and upset over being a Chef's wife without anyone to talk to who really "got it." While I've never commented before, it has been nice to know that I'm not alone! (Thanks!) Obviously living in the NYC metro area I knew I wasn't alone, but not everyone de-romanticizes the concept of Chef's wife for people to commiserate with :)

Congratulations on your exciting news! I'm looking forward to reading how you handle TWO little ones, working outside the home, with a partner who works long ridiculous hours, weekends and holidays. Our daughter will be two in April and we have been on the fence about having another, in large part due to sheer logistics! We do have a lot of help from family, but I only like to rely on them to a point.

Have you already made some decisions on how YOU'RE going to handle/juggle everything? Would love some logistical advice!

Paola Q said...

Just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CREATING THIS BLOG!!! My boyfriend is on the second semester of his career as a chef in the university and just started working in a restaurant. Sometimes it is REALLY HARD for me to understand him (being sincere, even to carry on with his schedules and distance is so hard :( ) But I've been reading some of your articles and they are really helpful! I'm officially a fan of your site!!

Thanks! :)

Laura said...

Congratulations! I'm pregnant, too, and work a standard 9:30-5:30 schedule. I'm curious as to how you and Erik split up the baby duties, especially in the beginning. My husband and I are kind of at odds on this issue.
Thanks!

Hilary Battes said...

Laura,
I think the best way to split up the baby jobs is to first come to terms with the fact that they will never be split evenly. 50/50 just isn't possible with chefs. (and I predict most couples either) Even though you work full time, your chefs works more than you. I still find myself struggling with this.

During the early months, I do ask that Erik does as much work as he can when he is home. That seems to be the best balance we can manage. I still end up doing so much more, but I don't know a better way.

If you figure something else out, please let me know!