Monday, July 12, 2010

Why don't friends with kids have time?

Being a stay at home mom is definitely a full time job - actually more than a full time job. In my "past life" I was a nurse - a L&D nurse to be exact. It was great and some days I miss it. I miss making a difference in the lives of others, but, when it was my turn to have babies, I couldn't do both the way I wanted to. It was a tough decision, but I had to choose my child[ren] and family, and in the end, I left my job to be home with Mairead full time. I don't regret it one bit.

There are days when I couldn't imagine working and missing out on what my girls accomplish each and everyday. They are only little once and for me, I couldn't miss out on the days I cherish so much. I love teaching them about life. I love teaching them about the little things. I am sometimes jealous of those woman around me who are able commit themselves to their family AND their career at the same time.

There are days when I wonder why I don't go back. Days are long. The whining kills me. I don't get much of a break. I repeat myself all day long. I break up fights. I am a maid. I am a cook. A referee. I guess you could say I pretty much do it all. Some days I yell too much. Some days I wonder if our kids will be okay - are we doing a good job as parents? But, at the end of the day, it is all completely worth it to me when our girls tell us they love us or do something to melt our hearts.

I always snicker at those people who do not know what it is like to stay home with children all day long. I know they judge. I know they talk behind [our] backs, but how much do they realize just how much is involved in raising children? Before I had children, I had a pretty good idea, but never really understood just how much was involved. I am sometimes frustrated with just how little I get accomplished on some days, and then, I read this article above. It's true. 100% true. I sometimes sit down at the end of the day, after the girls have gone to bed, and look around. I think "What the hell have I done? I feel as though I haven't stopped all day, but I still have so much to do..." - then I read this...

So if you are one of those people wondering what it is I do all day long - here you go!


4 comments:

  1. I loved that article! Thanks for posting.

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  2. I want to hug the columnist and smack the person that wrote in. Love it!

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  3. This is so funny. When I saw the title to this post I knew exactly what you were talking about. One of Kevin's coworkers sent this article home with him. I loved it and it made me feel better about having to say no to plans or having no time to talk on the phone ;)

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  4. I love Carolyn! I remember a friend forwarding that shortly after it was written. So, so true. On the days I'm with Tatum from sun-up to sun-down, I'm so much more tired than on the days when I work and our nanny is here. It's a HUGE, hard, exhausting job to raise children as a stay-at-home mom. My hat goes off to anyone who does it. I'll freely admit, my work hours feel like time off--in between projects I can use the bathroom at my leisure, grab something to eat, peruse blogs (obviously :). SO much easier than the constant demands of being with a small child all day...though not a fraction as rewarding. I'm grateful to have found a happy medium of working at home and taking time off when I want to--I feel like a little time away from Tate doing my own thing makes me a better mom during the hours I'm with him. I'm in awe of what you do, Steph--truly.

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