Life as a mom is, in a word, crazy. I never thought I would be a “stay-at-home-mom”. I always knew I wanted to have children, but I saw myself as a working mother. My own mom was a working mom, so I thought my “mom life” would be a lot like hers. Then my boy was born, and my world changed. All the previous dreams I had for myself changed. I was on maternity leave and I couldn’t even imagine going back to work. So I thought I would stay home until he gets a little older and then surely I’d be ready to go back. Twenty five months later my girl was born. Being a mother of two that are 25 months apart is “interesting” especially in the beginning. I learned the most about who I am, what I can handle, where I struggle, what I need to work on, and who I want to be during that first year as a mom of 2 kids under three. My hub was in sales, was traveling a lot, and I was alone with them a lot. Seeing yourself through your children’s eyes is not always the easiest thing to do when you’re tired and cranky and impatient and did I mention cranky? I grew up a lot during that time. I feel like that was a time in my life where I really matured, really sought God, and really learned.
This last fall my daughter, my baby, headed off to kindergarten. The summer before she went I swear if I was given a penny every time someone asked me, “Well, what are you going to do now?” or “Are you going back to work now?” or “Won’t you be so bored at home with them both in school?” I would probably be a millionaire. Okay so maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration, but honestly, it’s not too much of a stretch. I guess people just imagine that now that my kids are both in school that my job of being a “mom” or at least one that stays home is over. It’s funny too because my original plan was to take the first year while she was in kindergarten to make plans to work the next year. I wanted to use this year to plan ahead and see how things would work for our family. Oddly enough, as far as my “stay at home mom” job goes I work harder with them in school than I did when they were home. The job has gotten easier in some ways and harder in others. I feel like I deserve a medal of honor every day I get my kids to school on time. That first hour of my day – 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. – is rough. I can’t even imagine what’s it’s like for parents with 3, 4, and 5 kids because I barely get my 2 there on time dressed, fed, and ready for the day. Sure I have from 7:45 to 2:35 p.m. to myself, but I’m not exactly sipping a cafe mocha at the coffee shop with my other stay-at-home-mom friends. I’m busy cleaning, doing laundry, paying bills (I’m the CFO of my family – as my hub calls me), grocery shopping, volunteering at the school, errand running, preparing for after-school activities, and yes, now blogging. Writing this blog takes time (a lot of it) and it has become like a part-time job for me (which is such a surprise blessing!). Although, as much I love to write this blog, it will always come second to my first job – stay-at-home-mom. When the bell rings, the after-school frenzy starts. Hopefully by that time I’ve managed to cross off most of the things that were on my do-this-while-the-kids-are-in-school list because if not I’m in serious trouble. I’ve got to help them with homework, take them to whatever activities they have, get in reading time, make dinner, make sure they get a shower, have them clean up their rooms, and spend some down time with them before they go to bed. It’s a fast paced hustle that happens here every day from about 3 ’til 8 p.m.
Apart from doing all the required “stuff”, right now my biggest mom struggle is trying to get them to get along with each other. I’ve said more times than I care to – Jesus wants us to love another – that saying – treat other people they way you want to be treated – applies to your brother and sister too! When you have kids that are close in age, they are the best of friends and worst enemies. They argue, they fight, they battle, and I pull all of my hair out.
I am a stay-at-home mom who blogs and I believe that if you
it will never feel like work.
Never let anyone make you feel like you should be doing something else with your life. It’s your life; do what you love! If wanting to pull your hair out every day makes you happy – just know that I get you. 😉
*linking up at Serenity Now
Very well said, Carmel. My kids are 21 months apart, so I can identify with every.single.word you wrote!