Oscar-winning superscribe Aaron Sorkin's much-hyped show, The Newsroom, premiered on HBO last Sunday night to mixed reviews. Love it or hate it, there is no denying that parenting is a lot like being the executive producer of your own live news broadcast. Here are five reasons why.
1. You're living in a 24-hour cycle.
The news never stops, and neither does parenting. Disaster can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone. Breaking news! Flash pee flood causes two-hour laundry pileup. This just in! A new tooth erupted on the Southern Gum Coast at 3 a.m. Details at 11 -- kids on bedtime strike stall negotiations until opposing forces are given chocolate pudding and an American Girl doll. And just think about it -- Wolf Blitzer doesn't live in his "Situation Room" 24 hours a day, but you sure do.
2. Sometimes, you have to throw away the script and wing it.
Every parent knows the best-laid parenting plans are just like that generic footage of pills being spilled out on a formica counter that every local newscast uses for medical reports: out of date and out of focus. Wouldn't it be great if there was a magic teleprompter cuing us all day long? "Up next, Baby struggles with important developmental milestone. Stay tuned as I, her mother, handle it with class, grace and appropriateness." Sadly, this is not the case. We're all constantly writing and re-writing our own script, day after day.
3. You have a top-secret list of sources.
Everyone knows a good journalist never gives up her go-to sources. I never claimed to be a good journalist-- ergo, my sources are the jumperoo, a pacifier and puffs. And you can quote me on that.
4. It's all about keeping the talent happy.
Temper tantrums, poopy diapers, nap time. Good grief -- those primetime anchors are high maintenance! Sure, you might be doing all the hard behind-the-scenes work, but if the star of the show ain't happy, mama ain't happy.
5. Ratings are everything.
That big grin from your baby? A hug and kiss from your kiddo? Makes it all worthwhile.
Don't change that channel.
Read more from Liz Kozak at poseypieproductions.com.