I don't remember which blog I was reading the other day or even the topic of the post, but what I do remember is that the author was looking forward to a week of vacation time where she would stay in her pj's, sleep late, watch movies with her kids, get in some extra snuggles etc...
Those words hit me like a ton of bricks.
I get to do those things every single day.
I've always known it is a blessing to stay home with my kids. Four years ago I used to have to wake BrotherBear at 6am, drive 30 minutes, work for 10+ hours (he came with me), and then drive home. We didn't eat dinner until after 6pm most nights. PapaBear didn't get more than an hour with his son each day. My housework had to wait for the weekends and I was tired all the time.
In this economy I wouldn't bring home any money if I put the kids in daycare while I worked so the privilege of staying home has lost its luster so to speak. I have been so restless lately. Between the kids fighting most of the time and the weather being so cold that we never get out of the house, I'm a wreck by the time PapaBear gets home. I actually said to him last night "You need me to get out of the house by myself."
A little distance from my "daily grind" (and thanks to some peace and quiet in the car) I was able to put things in perspective. I thought about all the things I get to do with my kids as a stay at home mom.
I get woken by the cutest alarm clocks.
I get to talk about our plans for the day over breakfast.
I get to kiss their bellies when I get them dressed.
I get to break up their fights.
I get to monitor the foods they eat.
I get to use the hours and hours of downtime we have to play playdough, color, paint, snuggle, read books, watch movies etc...
I get to take BrotherBear to and from school, giving me a chance to interact with his teachers.
I get to do housework during the day, leaving most of our weekends for fun.
I get to cook them a nutritious dinner.
I get to see the look of joy on BrotherBear's face when I give him a treat for no reason.
I get to enjoy family time after dinner because I was home all day keeping up with housework.
I get to put my kids to bed every night.
I get to go back into their rooms multiple times for last requests.
I get to fall asleep next to the love of my life.
What do you get to do?
Those words hit me like a ton of bricks.
I get to do those things every single day.
I've always known it is a blessing to stay home with my kids. Four years ago I used to have to wake BrotherBear at 6am, drive 30 minutes, work for 10+ hours (he came with me), and then drive home. We didn't eat dinner until after 6pm most nights. PapaBear didn't get more than an hour with his son each day. My housework had to wait for the weekends and I was tired all the time.
In this economy I wouldn't bring home any money if I put the kids in daycare while I worked so the privilege of staying home has lost its luster so to speak. I have been so restless lately. Between the kids fighting most of the time and the weather being so cold that we never get out of the house, I'm a wreck by the time PapaBear gets home. I actually said to him last night "You need me to get out of the house by myself."
A little distance from my "daily grind" (and thanks to some peace and quiet in the car) I was able to put things in perspective. I thought about all the things I get to do with my kids as a stay at home mom.
I get woken by the cutest alarm clocks.
I get to talk about our plans for the day over breakfast.
I get to kiss their bellies when I get them dressed.
I get to break up their fights.
I get to monitor the foods they eat.
I get to use the hours and hours of downtime we have to play playdough, color, paint, snuggle, read books, watch movies etc...
I get to take BrotherBear to and from school, giving me a chance to interact with his teachers.
I get to do housework during the day, leaving most of our weekends for fun.
I get to cook them a nutritious dinner.
I get to see the look of joy on BrotherBear's face when I give him a treat for no reason.
I get to enjoy family time after dinner because I was home all day keeping up with housework.
I get to put my kids to bed every night.
I get to go back into their rooms multiple times for last requests.
I get to fall asleep next to the love of my life.
What do you get to do?
I too am blessed that I am a SAHM and love every minute of it. I normally wake up with my DH and then about an hour later, I am greeted with the sweetest smile when my son wakes up. I feed him a nutritious breakfast, lunch and then prepare dinner for my DH. In between all of that we snuggle, hug and play. We might read books, do crafts, color and of course I steal a few kisses in between. I truly love being a SAHM.
ReplyDeleteI get to see all the firsts: first steps, first words, first time pumping legs on the swing. I get to cuddle close after naps. I get to enjoy the little things!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, this really reminds me why I am a SAHM!
I am, indeed, fortunate. I complain about the two 10-hr days I have to work sometimes, starting at 4:30 a.m....but really, my mom didn't get to stay home with us at all. She worked full time the entire time I was a kid (still does). I am privileged to have Anja with me on my errands 3 days a week, to be able to put her down for her naps, to choose her meals all week longs (we send food with to the sitter's), to put her to bed every night, to teach her how to identify colors and love her "babies," to cook a nice meal for my family each night and encourage Anja to welcome Daddy home with joy. I really should dwell more on these privileges. Thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteI've been a SAHM since my first daughter was born 8 years ago. I didn't want to miss a thing! And I certainly didn't want to hear about what my daughter did second hand. No doubt, now that they are in school we could use the money but with my health problems it just isn't possible. I am fine and content being a SAHM mother ...even though some days I go wacko ...
ReplyDeleteWe have cuddle time A LOT around here. Somedays ... it all that gets me through.
Our favorite thing to do together is read ... and boogie. LOL
LORI
I really love that. Thanks for the great reminder of what a blessing it is to be able to stay home and raise my own kids!
ReplyDelete