Happy Mother's Day!

Happy (belated) Mother's Day!

With the low birth rate here (only 1.2 children / woman in Ukraine vs. 2.4 in the world), there aren't that many kids running around.  

Thus, kids are often outnumbered by adults......

AND must be how they find the time for such elaborate hair styles

(bad picture - but note the braid - and this at the end of the day after swimming class)

(the previous Prime Minister inspires with her braid)

AND is maybe why the Babushkas feel the need to 'co-parent' / offer unsolicited advice (you WILL be reprimanded if your child is not bundled for the Arctic Oct-April)


AND is maybe why they don't celebrate Mother's Day here (Women's Day in March honors all women - kids or not).

That said, we kept the holiday alive - with lunch out.  And while the country doesn't celebrate Mother's Day, the restaurants totally get Mothers.  Many have play areas for kids.

  
The one we went to even had hired entertainment..

(Clearly need to work on our 'Stranger Danger' lessons.  His opening line was 'want a piece of candy kids?'  They all ran up to participate)

And best yet, Logan & the kids gift - purging the kids old clothes & toys.  After 2 years without Salvation Army drops we were bursting at the seams.

So here's to Mothers - whether you can french braid or not, you have a 24/7 job that requires constant problem solving, multi-tasking & negotiation with no compensation and little room for advancement.  You deserve a restaurant with a play area today.

Cheers to the Mothers!