As we have been getting back into our regular daily routines the last couple of days (after traveling, sickness and visitors), I have been thinking a bit about my life as a stay-at-home mother. I realized that other than summers (which is more than a lot of moms have), I have been working since my college graduation, and even during Danny's first 3 years, albeit part-time.
People often ask me how I like it, and I don't know how to answer. I'm not the gushing mom type who would give an "Absolutely wonderful!" reply, but I don't want to seem like I am dissatisfied, either. I remember days when my alarm would go off at 5:30 so that I could pump and nurse before I had to be to work by 7:15. Not all of those days were very satisfying. Or the times when my teaching responsibilities were overshadowed by immense amounts of paperwork, usually brought home to be done in the evening or on weekends.
I thought I might share some recent observations:
As a working mom:
*Showered by 6:30am
*Make-up on from the beginning of the day
*Wore at least two outfits each day (work and "play" clothes)
*Exhausted
*Stayed up late grading papers/planning lessons/preparing for report cards or conferences
*Did errands/cleaning/projects in evening or weekend
*Relied on others to help care for Danny
*Made friends apart from my kids
*House was often a disaster
*Worked with other people's kids
*Felt rewarded for making a difference
As a stay-at-home mom:
*Showered by 10:00am
*Sometimes make-up is on in the morning, sometimes never
*Rarely look at the clothes hanging in my closet, usually only get into the t-shirt drawer
*Exhausted
*Stay up late to have some alone time and think
*Squeeze in errands/cleaning/projects when I can, but those often get left for the evening
*Weekends are fun family times
*House is still a disaster, but it is much easier to stay on top of things
*Get to do fun things with my kids (museums, library story times, playgroups, etc.)
*No papers to grade! (lessons to plan, report cards to write, etc.)
*Have to look harder for the rewards, but I know they are there
Notice some similarities like, exhausted? Just some thoughts. I think I will go back to teaching full time, but I am enjoying my two little ones and all the fun we have. They do grow up so quickly, and I know that this is time I will never be able to get back. It is great that I can have a choice that so many moms don't have.
Nov 28, 2006
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2 comments:
Hello Jen,
thanks for filling us in on what you do as a family. I'm with you in the mom-at-home deal and I do like it, but I think I feel the same way you do in that as satisfying as my baby girl is, I need the outside interaction to keep me happy/sane. I do wait for the day that I'll be able to have Miriel taken care of (either by herself or with an extra reliable babysitter) and I can just go and ride a horse.
ah dreams...
I will try and enjoy my childbearing years (it's not really that hard) and enjoy the years after with equal enthusiasm.
I am really loved by God to have this blessing of a husband that can work and keep us financially afloat so I don't have to work outside of being a mom. We are the blessed wives. Nice ring to it, eh?
Now all I have to do is remember it when the world closes in.
Thanks again for your blog!
adina lee
Adina,
Thanks for your comment! Yes, we are blessed. I think of all the great opportunities God has provided for our family over the last 8 years. It is amazing the path He has chosen for us (I never would have guessed!).
Jen
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