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From The Story of the Toddler, chapter 7, by Jeff Vogel:
I was truly surprised by how exhausting a week looking after a toddler is. It really made me jealous of women, who are genetically gifted with the ability to tirelessly spend countless hours raising small children without complaint. I am not sure how they do it. I imagine the womb secretes some sort of strengthening chemical. I feel that the right to vote is too small a price to pay for their invaluable assistance in this regard.
When I expressed these sentiments to my wife, however, she used her Tae Kwon Do training to do something to my wrist which was actually quite painful. I am not sure why she did this. I believe that her natural womanly modesty made her uncomfortable to be complimented in such a way. From now on, I will be sure to admire her silently, trying to keep at least a yard between me and her at all times.
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The NYTimes ran a bit about a study claiming that grandmothers who spent 9 hours a week or more taking care of grandchildren had their chance of a heart attack go up by 50%. Pretty chilling.
Admittedly, I don't know how carefully the study was designed. Frex, a lot of grandmothers taking care of grandkids are doing so because the grandmother's daughter isn't doing well at all, and that would be a stressor in itself.
On the other hand, I wouldn't expect that effect to kick in at as low as 9 hours.
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quid pro quo?
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jeff sometimes does panels and talks at science fiction conventions, and if you ever have the opportunity to see him, don't miss it. he's one of the funniest people i've ever met in my life. also one of the smartest.
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