Oh, how great to be a stay at home mom! It's great that you...
...can play with your kids all day
...have plenty of time to do your housework
...don't have any commitments
...have no stress.
...can watch your soap operas (seriously?)
...have so much time!
...don't have to work.
OK. really? So, being the optimistic person that I try to be, I'm thinking that those people who say these things simply and truly have NO idea what Stay At Moms do all day. You must think we just sit home and eat chocalate all day while laying on the sofa watching our shows? ummm...no.
I cannot remember the last time my tv had anything other than dora the explorer or music playing. Yes, I do play with my kids...but umm, not all day. Plenty of time to do my housework? It must have been a LONG time since you've been to my house. I consider it a extremly succesful day when my house looks anywhere near clean. No stress? really, no stress? I'll keep those comments to myself. Don't have to work??? I work harder and have less time then I ever did when I 'went to work'.
Do I enjoy being a stay at home mom? You bet!!! I wouldn't change it for the world. I love that I get to 'work' and be home with my babies? Really could it be any better. Do I wish my house was clean and the laundry wasn't an all day event? Yes. But, I'd rather have happy kids and a messy home, then a clean house with unhappy kids. Do I wish I could do it ALL...yes. But I can't and that is ok.
I AM NOT SUPER WOMEN...AND I AM OK WITH THAT!
So, what I decided to do, was simply document a day in my life. So here ya go...for all those that truly have no idea what we S/WAHM's do all day. Enjoy!
Things I didn't get to today...
Today, I didn't make it to the bank and didn't get the goody bags done for the birthday party this weekend. I also didn't get a slide rental (although I did call, but ran out of time to call back). I didn't get Bug's pants made and didn't get her shirt to my friend who is going to embroider it. I folded all the laundry, but it's still in the middle of the living room floor...wish I'd had the time to put it up. And my house...yea, haven't touched it in 2 days.
But, what I did do is everyday things. My day is full, every day. Every day holds different items on the checklist. And everyday I can get overwhelmed if I let life get to me.
But, why get overwhelmed! Life is good, very good!! I truly have the best job ever. I get to see my kids grow. I get to see them learn and laugh and love each other.
Tomorrow, with a 3 year old behind me every step of the way... I will do all the things I did today (minus the grocery store and dropping/picking up Bug from school) plus, I will clean the house, go to the bank, pay bills, drop off that shirt that I didn't get to today, start preparing for the birthday party, more laundry, make the pants for Bug's party and clean the back yard of all the kiddos toys and clutter. I also need to refreshen Bug's hair, which will take 30ish minutes. We also do homeschool 3 days a week, and that happens to be tomorrow. Oh, and I can't forget to rent that slide for the party! Oh dear...have I ordered cupcakes yet??
Every day is different and every day is busy. For those of you who think we SAHMs just sit around all day...I love you, but I think you are clueless. Soooo....here ya go. I did miss several things, but maybe you'll get the idea. :)
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Today started at 5:30
Shower, then...
Answer a few emails from overnight.
Put up dishes from last night...leaving the kitchen a mess.
get the kids up for school!
Look at this in my home...love it!
Start laundry load ONE of the day
Breakfast...I have no idea why there are 2 spoons?
Last minute homework.
Hubs left his sunglasses...Hulk running out to hand them to bossman.
Bath time for Bug
Packing Hulks folder...check out these awesome grades. GREAT start to the year!
Say for the millioneth time...tie your shoes!
A few seconds of play time before school. Notes from Bug to Hulk
Load up! Time for school
Check it out...wet hair! Yep, no time to dry it. I'll do it when I get home.
Morning prayer for our school, teacher, friends and our family.
Whew, made it just in time. Never tardy, but we do cut it close some days.
Back home. Bug is really excited about her new 'high score'...please note, there is NO iphone/ipod. Our kids don't have them...so they use their imaginations. yea, mean mommy, right?
Now time to get Bug ready for school
Today is grocery day and the pantry is empty...quick stop
Yep, that's healthy? Air head are NOT for lunch by the way. :)
Walking Bug into school
In class
Back in the car...
Back home, hanging up car keys, and grabbing studio keys.
Thankful for a hobby/job that is literally in the back yard.
Time to finalize galleries, network and start uploads before my 10:00 appt
Just a few minutes to straighten up this crazy mess
He's here!
Session finished, now to purchase a few things for the birthday party this weekend.
Gourmet meal and 8 minutes of peace and quiet in the parking lot.
1:00 and time to get Bug!
Ugh...hate putting away groceries
Laundry load 2
Wash dishes...again. How do they multiply when I'm not even home?
Fold laundry (this happens. all. day. long)
A few minutes of front yard play time as we wait for the bus. For the record, she dressed herself
Bus is here!
Backyard sprinkler fun while Hulk does homework...means I'm in 2 places at once
More homework...with a small appetizer
Load 3 for the day
Starting supper. Love this purple pan. :)
Good behavior/effort reward (homework time can be brutal). 10 minutes of music.
Supper time
Yep, the dishes multiplied again
Laundry load 4 for the day
Bedtime...we have early bedtimes at our house. Everyone needs beauty rest!
Kids go to bed and Hubs follows soon after...didn't grab a photo of him. :)
See ya later Dora!
Write letter to one of our kiddos bmoms.
Last load of laundry (for the day) in the dryer. Silent celebration!
Answer emails from the day
Sit down to work on the session from today, expect to be there a couple of hours
Fold the last load of laundry
Work at the computer until 12:30 and called it an early night.
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If you've actually made it this far. Thank you for taking the time to ready. I know it's long, but I did enjoy doing this today. I did kept forgetting my camera and missed several things...but I hope you get the point. Being a sah-mommy is the most fulfilling thing...ever. But it is also tough, and finding that balance is tough.
If you know a sahm, give her a hug, and encourage her. Tell her she is a great mommy and is doing a great job. There are far too many mommies out there trying to be super-mom and do it all.
Ladies...you don't have to be super-mom. We don't have capes and red boots with stars on them. But we do have fantastic kids and the opportunity to be there while they are young. This is a blessing!!! Stop worrying about what the mommy down the street will think of your decorating or un-swept floors. Do YOUR best...but most of all, make time for your kids in your busy busy day.
Love ya'll!
Every mom would love this post! So true! Feeling bad about all that HW..LOL! Thanks for sending me a kind-hearted little "Hulk" to brighten my day!!
ReplyDeleteYea, I need to talk to his teacher about all that homework! ha!! It really hasn't been that bad this year, I just think it is tougher for him then others at times. You know, since he tends to not just think out of the box, but out of the box, across the table and down the street. Finding that 'key' to how he views things is...interesting. But I'm sure you already know that! I'm so glad Hulk is in your class this year! :)
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