SAHM I Am

As you know, I'm a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM). I've been struggling lately, feeling like everything I do doesn't matter because it's just going to need to get done again either that day or the next. So I read a book by the infamous Dr. Laura called In Praise of Stay-at-Home-Moms.

I didn't know what to expect, because either people love or hate Dr. Laura, and I didn't know enough about her to make my own decision. I may not love everything she has to say, but man, I loved that book! I read it in less than two days, and my whole attitude just feels different about staying home. I feel like what I do matters, and that what I do will make such a difference for my family down the road.

With the book finished, I'm trying to arrange my priorities even more. I always tried to put my kids first, but lately I think I've been putting a clean house first, thinking that if my house is clean, the family will be happier. That's true to an extent, but if I'm cleaning so much that I miss out on the little moments with my family, I'm not accomplishing what I set out to do.

I started putting this into practice this morning. I put Mister W down for his mid morning nap, and then got on the floor with Ryan and Miss A to play cars. Normally they'll play well for awhile then start fighting, but there was no fighting at all! They were much happier, and I had so much fun playing and giggling along with them. I was so refreshed and happy that I didn't mind cleaning when they went down for their naps; my morning stress level was so much lower than normal I didn't need that time to recharge.

Tonight after dinner, I told Pete I would clean up because I had been baking all day and hadn't finished cleaning up from that. But the kids were dancing in the living room, and the dishes could wait, right? So we danced, and laughed, and the kids went to bed happy and loved. The dishes were still there later, and Pete and I took care of them together and were actually able to have a conversation together for the first time in days (it's amazing how life just gets disrupted when you have a sick kid!). Pete left for guy's night happy, and I'm able to enjoy some me time now, guilt free.

I'll be trying to compile a list of reasons why I love being a SAHM, and if you're a SAHM too, I'd love to hear what you love about it!

I love it because:

• I am the one to kiss all the boo-boos when they're hurt
• I get to see and experience all the 'firsts' - first steps, first smile, etc.
• I get to join in on all the impromptu dance fests

If there are any working moms out there, I completely respect your choice to work. Please don't feel like I'm bashing your choice at all; I worked for about a year or so before Pete and I got married, and it just wasn't for me. I couldn't concentrate on my job, and I was miserable because I knew I was missing out on so much. This is just me growing and learning more about myself, and hopefully encouraging others like me to see that what they do is important too :)


SAHMs, what do you love about being home with your kids? Let's encourage each other, especially as cold weather is coming and we'll be cooped up more!