The other day, while joking with friends I mentioned how my husband hadn't hung any of my pictures on the wall that I've been asking him to hang when someone says "but do you work?? If you got up at 5am and worked all day you wouldn't want to come home and work more either." ....ouch. I mean, that one stung.
You're right, I don't work. But this is what I do know; when my husbands alarm went off at 5 this morning I was nursing and rocking my sick baby in his rocking chair, this is where I slept all night since he is sick. And 3 hours before that, I was up with my 3 year old for the second time getting him a drink of water. And last night right before bed, when Ryder asked me if In the morning we could drink our coffee {milk for him}, play cars and watch cartoons together I was able to say "of course buddy!" Because I'm a stay at home mom and I will be there when he wakes up.
It's never been more clear than now that I contribute nothing to our finances. We just got a bid on a fence for our new house, the first one was $10,000 the second was $12,000. yeah, my jaw dropped too. That doesn't include sod, sprinklers or concrete work that we also need done. I'm a stay at home mom, this burden falls directly on my husband. So naturally, I've contemplated going back to work. Who would watch the boys? I'm not sure. Would the pay be worth leaving? Probably not.
This full time mommy thing is hard. It can get repetitive, mundane, and at times it leaves you feeling like you don't contribute much. But this week I was able to comfort my sick baby because I was home. I know what both boys favorite lunches are, what books they like to read during quiet time and I get to see Gage's smile after his nap because I'm home.
Shoutout to you working moms who do all of the above plus work. You are a special type of super mom.
So today I'm thankful. I'm thankful for the good days and the bad. I'm thankful that I was reminded that I might not be employed, but I do have a job. The most important job in the world. And for the most part, I'm pretty damn good at it.
Your contribution financially is AT LEAST the cost of child care. Here in our city, that's at least $1600 a month for 2 kids. So technically, you make at least $1600 a month, but it's gone before you get your "check." Then there is TIME. Ask a kid what they want from their parents and it most always involves spending time with them. That is an invaluable amount of "money" right there. I could go on and on :) Stay at home moms, working moms, work at home moms...all of them are great in each way and do an enormous amount of work, but remember, if you were "working" you wouldn't do everything you mentioned above...someone else would watch your kids while you worked (which can be exhausting as well). Regardless, being a mom is tiring whether we spend 14 hours with our kids or 2 hours + outside work. I'm right there with you...some days I contemplate a job outside the home so I can have a break. :) You can always work later, you'll never get this time back again. Keep doing what you do...you are good at it!
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify I'm supportive of moms in ANY work place as it supports their family. ;)
Love this! sometimes you just need a reminder of how much work it really is. And you are totally right, we'll never get this time back and I will definitely keep enjoying it. Thanks so much for your sweet comment
DeleteI do have to say I agree with the above comment! You DO make an income and alot at that! I work part time (trying so dang hard to figure out how to drop those 3 days) and what I pay out in child care some times does'nt seem like its worth it. The up side the kids are learning a lot from this and it does help me with adult interaction and getting "out" of the house. I can say the days I work I really dont have a ton of energy for cooking, cleaning, homework, and more. Im trying soooo very hard right now to figure out how to bring in just half of what I make now so in the future (maybe #3) I can be home full time!! I envy you SAHmamas!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Having some time out of the house with other adults is probably nice but I can totally understand not having energy at the end of the day! And I'm sure the kids love being around other kids during the day and learning. I just put Ryder in a 3 year old pre school just so he can interact with other kids. Thanks so much for your sweet comment and I pray you can be a full time SAHM soon!
DeleteOnce in awhile I'll look at your blog... This post makes me sad. I work the long hours and do what I do, because I enjoyed every minute of my mom being home while I was growing up. As I have said before your "job" is a lot harder than mine. How lucky are we to have you home with the kids. Love you Whit. -TYSON-
ReplyDeleteLook at you being all cute. Love you babe I really appreciate this sweet comment and all you do
DeleteYou hubby made me tear up. This is sooo precious. It costs $18,000 a year to send my kids to daycare. You do bring home money and you bring it home in the best way possible!!
ReplyDeleteMe too! He's cute I might keep him ;) you're right child care is so expensive and sometimes I don't take that in to consideration. You are so sweet and thanks so much for your comment!
DeleteAMEN! It is the most rewarding job there is and how blessed are we? But there are those days when everything feels hard, and that reminds me of the saying "the days are long but the years are short". Just read your husbands comment, melt my heart.
ReplyDeleteYes I am definitely thankful I can stay home but some days it's just hard not to sell yourself short. I know you understand. Thanks so much you are too sweet!
DeleteJanel here! Agree with all the above comments and you have a sweet, sweet husband! You can tell your boys adore their mama in all yours pics. Hang in there mama, you are doing great! And you
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! I love that I can relate to all of you! You are so sweet
DeleteLove this post and totally envy you! Working three days a week is so tough being away from my girl. I know being a SAHM is not easy either, but I'd love to do it "full time" (as if being a mama at all isn't already a full time job?!). Hopefully in the future! :) oh, and your husband is the sweetest - cutest comment ever.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it's hard but a lot of working moms feel the same way. I pray you get to me a SAHM in the future. Thanks so much for your sweet comment!!
DeleteI needed to read this today. I stay home with my kids and work from home and some days I feel like I am failing miserably at this mom/wife job. Thank you for posting this. I love reading your blog. Your boys are darling!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad we as moms can relate! Don't worry mama, you are doing a great job! Thank you!!
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