I find it amusing when people tell me it’s a luxury to be able to stay at home with my children. The word luxury is defined as “the state of great comfort and extravagant living.”
Do they even know what it’s like to socialize only with children all day?
Not to mention, I still haven’t showered today and the only comfort I know is in the fact that at some point they will be asleep and I can relax for a minute. It is anything but a luxury, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy my 24/7 job. I must admit that there are times I envy people who get up and get dressed for the day, and then it’s 3:00 p.m. and I’m still in the same shirt I was in yesterday.
I wouldn’t define my role as a stay at home mom a luxury, simply because it’s not. I’m not here to say that SAHM work harder than working moms, or vice versa. Am I very fortunate that I am in a position to be able to stay at home? Yes. I work hard, from sun up until sun down.
What you see is the fact that I don‘t have to leave my house and go to work everyday. What you don’t see is the three times this week I have had a mental breakdown because my toddler had a bad week. Or the few power naps I was able to sneak in last night because my baby woke up every hour. The only difference is, I don't get to take sick days or leave my work AT work. I literally function off of Starbucks and leftover snacks that my children didn’t eat. It is one of the hardest jobs I have ever done, but it is also the most rewarding job I will ever have the opportunity of doing.
I have come to respect the working mom. I think it takes a lot of strength to leave your children and return to work. Some moms have to, some want to, and at the end of the day it's their prerogative. I am thankful to wake up to two rugrats every day. While I may not always be a SAHM, I wouldn’t trade it for the world because I know the day will come when I am forced to do something other than cater to my children’s every need. For now, I’ll soak up every moment that I can.
