I am enjoying being a mostly stay at home mom. (I say "mostly" because I work very part time from home.)
Not to say there aren't the occasional bumps in the road or complete train wreck days. Things aren't always cotton candy and fluffy bunnies, but I have fewer bad days now then when I was working full time.
Some of the reasons I enjoy staying home have really surprised me.
I expected to love the sappy mommy stuff. And I do love the sticky kisses and big hugs, but there are a lot of other parts to the stay at home life that I really like.
Totally selfish parts that have nothing to do with being a "mom". There are some great benefits to the job.
I love that toddlers need more sleep than adults so that I have some time every day not in mommy mode.
I love that I get to spend so much time outside now.
I love taking long walks. Sure, I'm pushing a stroller, but who cares? I love that I get more exercise than when I was sitting in from of a computer 9 hours a day.
I also get to workout regularly thanks to the wonders of affordable child care at the gym. No more working through lunch and barely moving all day and generally feeling like crap.
I love that I have the mental energy and time to read the occasional book and at least skim through the newspaper daily. I was also way too drained to read much or even think of starting a blog when I worked full time.
I love that we have so much fun family time on the weekends. No more spending hours on Sunday doing laundry. I am usually able to get the errands and cleaning done during the week so we can just play on the weekends.
I love that I've gotten a chance to meet wonderful woman from all walks of life. I might not always get to complete my sentences while toddler wrangling, but I've managed to make a few great friends.
In all honestly before my son was born, I was a bit of a workaholic. I didn't even realize it until I got the chance to step away from work for awhile and get a little perspective.
I barely knew anybody that I didn't work with. I came home at night too tired to do anything, but throw together the laziest dinner I could and sit in front of the boob tube. I didn't have any hobbies. I didn't spend enough time with friends.
I didn't even realize how much I was missing out on.
I know that everybody experiences motherhood and staying home differently, but I think it's been really good for me. When the time comes for me to return to the full time working world, I won't forget what I've learned.
It's funny how I spent the first year at home whining about everything I was "giving up". It took me awhile, but now I realize how much I'm getting out of the deal.
30 comments:
i am ok with being an SAHM for now...but i am giving some certification exams in my free time and want to join the work force by 2010..when the girls turn 5...
Good for you! But I'm so jealous :) I hate my more-than-full-time job for all those reasons. At the same time, I could never be a completely stay-at-homer. I hated my life when I wasn't working. I'd love to find a job that offered me more of a work-life balance. Fingers crossed!
It is so wonderful that you've found a situation that makes you this happy! You are in a very, very fortunate minority, I think. Good on ya!
glad you are making it work! I basically think that if people are happy with what they do then it doesn't matter what they do!
I work but I do all the things that you mention. I think if I was staying at home, I would not be able to inculcate the kind of discipline I have now, simply coz I'll have the notion that I 'have enough time' when the truth will be that I will have frittered the whole day away!
I think the grass is always greener! I miss work but do I really? I think I miss chatting by the water hole! Oh! and a reason to put on makeup. Have a great weekend!
Too choked with envy to even comment....
But (she added bravely) I'm so glad it's working out well for you!
That's great that you are enjoying it so much! I love staying home, and am dreading the day when I go back!
I agree, this is a pretty great thing!
I'm so happy for you! I've been a SAHM for 4.5 years now and I was very surprised how well I did with it and how suited I was for it. All the people I worked with said "You'll never make it. You'll be bored." But I really haven't looked back ... there are days when I just want to run away and never come back ... but work was like that too. Thanks for sharing some positive thoughts about being a SAHM! : )
I'm glad you're getting into the swing of things. I was having similar thoughts today as I was out and about with Elliot. Everywhere I went, I saw moms with kids, in workout gear or with coffee and just looking happy and relaxed. It's not so bad to be able to (mostly) get to come and go as you please. There are those bad days though, I can't lie.
I'm somewhat of a workaholic and just recently since my daughter is almost 3 have mentally made the switch to really wishing I could be home with her more.
Sadly paradise (Hawaii) has it's price and both mommy and daddy must work.
But maybe one day.
it is a journey lined with so many beautiful perks... and to be able to reflect on them is a great gift to yourself! it is so wonderful to find yourself... even when you didn't know you were lost!
Good for you. Enjoy having the time to do some of the things you wouldn't ordinarily be able to do. And, yes spending time outside is great.
I have always felt the same way. I have treasured being at home.
I'm jealous. I loved my year 'off', I wish we could afford it now. I'm only working part-time, and consider myself very lucky still.
Well, except X has started refusing the stroller, so no more walks for me :(
I'm glad you love staying at home. I feel the same way, even though I never thought that I'd love it. I think that it's very good for my marriage too, since I don't have to be stressed out at the end of a long work day. I'm much more pleasant in the evenings now than when I worked full time.
How neat that you're getting to be a SAHM. I wish i'd been able.
The gift you're giving your littles will pay major benefits in the years to come - for all of you!
It's a long road to realization for many of us, but welcome... I think you'll be happy here.
Although 12 years later the workaholc in me still manifests itself with obsessive mopping, but that's a good thing, right?!
:)
After 35 years in the Metals business, I retired from it in Oct. of 2008... Life is not about working, but to a degree- it is about productivity... Life can end any time, planning only helps if you're right about what is going to happen. Your only purpose on this planet(according to Mommy Nature!) is to successfully breed, and have healthy children that will take the Family of Man a bit further in it's evolvement... Being happy is not a formula, and other folks version of "The Good Life" doesn't make it the right one! To sum up- If you're happy, so am I!
Everyone has to figure out what works for their own situation. You don't want to look back and wish it could have been different. I'm glad you are happy with your choice. And l'm sure your family will benefit.
I am SO jealous of you. Honestly. You are living my green grass fantasies.
I was a workaholic, too - so it was a huge adjustment for me to choose to be a SAHM when the time came...and I was actually surprised at how fulfilling it really is. Sure, we don't get sick days or vacation and sometimes sleep is a dream...but it's all worth it. :) Great post! :)
thats awesome!! it took me a while to find a balance that worked for me, but i love being a stay at home mom...it's really worked out best for all parties involved!! stopped by from SITS to say hi!
I have been blessed with (or was blessed) with a career that allowed me to not have to work behind a desk for many years and it was/is a great life in terms of that. Now, not so much as I make very little. To have that lifestyle and making money while you do it is incredible.
I completely agree with you! When I worked as an elementary school teacher I would come home at 4:00 and put on my jammies. I was totally drained and exhausted.
At first, I was bored at home. But, then I became involved with so many clubs and groups and created hobbies....
All wonderful things to love about being a stay at home mom. I'm glad you have time for you.
Have a terrific day. :)
Thanks for dropping by my blog:) I am a stay at home nanny to my sister's little girl. It is the greatest thing I have ever done.
I'm so happy for you that you are taking the time to enjoy this wonderful and brief time in your life. I say brief because everyone says that you blink and they're all grown up.
I was a SAHM for 2 years when my son was a toddler and once I returned to the harrowing world of work the workaholic scene has no longer held appeal but still I soldier on.
Thanks to SITS and blogging I have a welcome outlet.
Thanks for visiting my CEOmum blog.
Eep! Your "before" picture sounds like my life!!!
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