I have recently returned to work after having back surgery that didn't go so well. During my time off, I really got a chance to see what it would be like to be a stay-at-home-Mom (SAHM).
I have always been a working Mom - dropping the kids off at daycare and picking them up...racing to the office...cursing traffic. But, somehow I always managed. I was tired, but I managed. That exhaustion was what lead my hubby and I to sell our *dream home* and move 1.5 hours from the city to our little piece of current paradise. I needed balance - and my hubby home more often than just for a kiss in the morning and a kiss at night. When we moved, I was so fortunate that I was able to "bring my job with me" and work from home. But, the routine didn't change in that I was still running my kids to daycare and racing to pick them up the whole while thinking that I SO wanted to have them home with me...time is so precious. However, once I was done feeling sorry for myself, I started to think of how fortunate I was to have a good job and only be a hop, skip, and a jump from the kids school.
When I was off (and unable to drive), I really enjoyed being able to put them on the school bus, and waited anxiously every afternoon to see the nose of the big yellow bus coming down the road. Those days are gone now...back to the hustle and bustle (yes, I am feeling sorry for myself again - and I'm entitled to it! :)
Before hubby and babies, my career was my driver - I worked long, hard hours and took many, many risks to advance my career...but I made it. And, I'm exactly where I want to be in my career - I love my job and enough years under my belt to allow for as much time off as needed to balance out my personal life.
So, I guess the question begs - would I want to be a SAHM, and the answer would be ABSOLUTELY! In. a. heartbeat! And when I win the lottery, I plan to do just that. Until the next 649 draw, I'm back to the daily grind - and amazingly, everyone is adjusting just fine! The guilt we put on ourselves as Mothers is sooooo draining. I think that what we need to do is the very best we can, and the rest is just horse-manure!
I guess the point of this post is for ALL of the Moms out there - the most important thing about family is finding balance...and everyone's balance is different. Do what you have to do to make the best of every day - love your babes up while you have them, work hard when you don't... and in the end, your children will grow up happy and balanced (please don't come back on me if they don't! :)
~While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about~ Angela Schwindt
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