为什么我很感激身边没生小孩儿的朋友
They Know There's More to Me Than "Mom"
他们知道，除了'母亲'，我还有其它想做的事情Most of my friends without kids knew me before I started a family, so they know there's so much more to me than just being a mom. They see how important my kids are to me, but know they don't define the limits of who I can be.
组建家庭之前，我的大多数没生过小孩的朋友就认识我了，所以他们知道除了母亲，我还有其它想做的事情。他们知道孩子于我的重要性，但也知道他们不会因此限定'我是谁'。They Have Patience
他们很耐心
They mask any feelings of annoyance when talking on the phone with me while my kids are performing a shrieking duet in the background. I remember what it was like being on the other side of those phone calls, and I was constantly confused about whether people were talking to me or their kids. My friends' patience is amazing.
当我和他们打电话而小孩在身后尖叫二重奏的时候，他们会掩盖自己的烦恼。我还记得身处接电话一方的感受，我总会疑惑：他们是在和我讲话，还是在和孩子说话？我的朋友实在太有耐心了。
They're Aware of My Kids' Bedtime
他们知道孩子该睡觉了Instead of having to apologetically explain that I need to work around my kids' bedtime every time we make plans, they naturally weave it into conversations and events without any trace of irritation.
每一次制定计划的时候，我都不用略带抱歉的向他们解释需要考虑孩子的睡觉时间，他们会自然而然的聊到这件事，而且一点都不会不高兴。They Come to Me
他们会来找我The scales are definitely weighted in my family's favor when it comes to where we spend time. They come to my house way more than I go to theirs. They suggest it and joke that if they're inviting themselves over, but we both know it's for my convenience. Without steady sitters around to help, they know it's the easier option and they genuinely don't mind.
谈及去哪儿聚的时候，大家总说去我家。他们来我家的次数比我去他们家的次数多太多了。这是他们建议的，他们还笑话说自己不请自来，但我们都知道这是为了让我方便。我家没有请固定的保姆帮忙，他们知道这样更容易，而且也真的不介意。They Know My Clock Is Slow
他们知道在我的观念里，时间走的很慢They know that when they do come over, dinner will always be at least 30 minutes later than I said it would be. They know that my toddler will have broken a new record in bedtime procrastination.
他们知道当他们真的要来我家的时候，晚餐至少要比我说的时间晚30分钟。他们知道我的孩子会在睡觉拖延方面创新记录。They Show Me Grace
他们十分宽容我Because they know that nothing ever gets done on time, they give me a grace period with their arrival time. They get to my house a little late, something they've come to understand as my version of being on time.
因为他们知道我什么事都无法按时完成，所以来的时候会有一段缓冲期。他们会稍迟一点到我家，因为他们已经逐渐了解我所谓的准时。They're Genuinely Interested
他们是真的感兴趣They ask about my kids and truly listen when I talk about them.
他们会问一些有关孩子的问题，当我作出回答的时候，他们真的有在听哦。They Help Me Laugh
他们会让我笑They listen during times of crisis or when I'm feeling overwhelmed by small moments. They help me laugh while validating my feelings.
当我遇到危机或当我被一些小细节压到喘不过气的时候，他们会认真聆听我的感受。在梳理感受的时候，他们能让我笑。
