A lot of people have asked me questions like “don’t you want to go back to work?” “Don’t you get TIRED of staying in the house all day with your kids?” “Do you LIKE being a stay-at-home mom?” (SAHM) Well, I’m going to attempt to answer those questions.
Let’s start with “Don’t you get TIRED of staying in the house all day with your kids?” That’s the thing. I don’t HAVE to stay in the house all day with my kids. We go to Target, Walmart, and play in the backyard (which looks like a playground thanks to the grandparents! :o) We go visit Daddy at work and when it gets cooler, we’ll go for walks and go to the park. (I’m NOT braving the 100+ degree temps with two little ones!) But we also have the choice as to whether we stay inside or go outside. I don’t have to stand out in the wind/cold/heat at a scheduled time just to let my 22 kindergarteners get some playtime. If we want to go somewhere, we do. If we want to stay at home and play with Play Doh, we do. And no, the TV does NOT stay on all day. Some days we don’t even turn it on.
Next up….”Do you LIKE being a stay-at-home mom?” The answer? Yes. I do. Honestly, I don’t see how both parents go to work. We have a lot of nights of interrupted sleep around here. Last night baby D was up from basically 4-5, who knows why. The hubby did help out a LOT, but what if we both had to get up early? Who would have to get up with the kids? Sleep deprivation plus 2 kids that still nap sounds way better than sleep deprivation + 22 5 and 6 year-olds who most likely do not nap because the school doesn’t allow it.
Captain Fussybuckets has always been able to entertain himself. He loves when we play with him, and I spend a lot of time playing with his “horsey blocks,” Play Doh, and coloring with him, but he’s also able to play by himself, like right now while Baby D is napping, allowing me to type up this quick blog post. I think he takes after me. We both need a little “me” time throughout the day.
Now…”don’t you want to go back to work?” First things first, being a stay-at-home mom IS work. It’s a LOT of work. If you don’t believe that, come to my house for a couple of days and let me sit back and drink tea while you take care of the kids, housework (not spotless, just not dirty in most cases!), cooking, etc, etc, etc. And not just 9-5, it’s 24/7. Sometimes the hubs will be here to help you (and he is a very good helper, unlike a lot of dads!), but he cannot be here at all times.
But to answer the question…….no, I don’t want to go back to work right now. I am so thankful that God has led us here so I can stay at home and take care of the kids. I know a LOT of moms simply don’t have that option. I admire those women because working outside of the home must be SO hard. Sending your kids to a baby-sitter/daycare/school, getting up early and getting ready, having to smile and perform at your job when other stuff might be going on at home, having to take off work because your kid is sick, etc, etc, etc. You have hard jobs!!!
Anyway, maybe someday I’ll go back to work. But for right now, we’re all happy. I’m not losing my mind (yet,) the boys are happy, I don’t need a break, and I don’t miss teaching (yet) because I teach my own boys. I love many aspects of teaching and I wouldn’t trade that for the world, but right now, THIS is my calling. And I’m so lucky that I’m able to do it.
Kudos to all of you parents out there….stay-at-home, work-at-home, work out of the home…..you rock. Being a parent is a tough job, but it’s the best job ever!
disclaimer #1: I’m not mad or tired of people asking these questions, I’m just addressing them. I do not have a chip on my shoulder and I’m not bitter. My main point in writing this was actually just to express my feelings and maybe another stay-at-home mom or two could identify with what I’m saying. This was NOT written in anger! :o)
disclaimer #2: None of this applies when my kids are sick. They don’t sleep, eat, and are grumpy. Nothing makes them happy. When that happens, I want to lock myself in a soundproof room and sleep while someone else takes care of them. I am just being totally honest here, people. :o)
Hilary
Thursday 1st of September 2011
This is so true about my life, too. I'm proud to be a stay at home mom! Thanks for writing this!