8.20.2008

Stay at home mom....

I've been looking forward to these past two weeks for a while. Mostly out of curiosity. This is my first year with both kids in school all day long. I had grand plans as to what I could get done with all this time to myself.

I have to say I've not done any of the things I thought I would be able to get done. Last week I was able to take my grandma on some errands a couple of the days. This is one of my favorite things to do. I feel so lucky to spend this time with her. I get to know things about her like what movies she likes (she bought a few new ones at Shopko) and what kind of socks she buys!

I have been running around everyday trying to get the carnival organized for PTA, the incentive store up and running for the kids school, selling those *@#* t-shirts everyday after school, back to school night organized (where the teachers out numbered the families....ughhh) and trying to get ready for my last semester of nursing program. Need less to say this time has flown by too quickly. I haven't accomplished what I thought I was going to, but the trade off has been worth it. I love being at the kids school getting to know the kids in their classes and seeing their cute smiles when they see me in the office and say "Hi Mom!" and then all the kids around saying "Hi Owen's Mom!" I get to spend time with my grandma without the kids and I can just talk to her without interruption.

The ironic thing is I've had two other mom's say to me, "I don't know how you just stay home all day I would be so bored, aren't you going back to work? I could never stay home." I quickly reply that I am going to finish nursing school this fall, but why do I have to feel like I have to justify myself just because I stay home?

I've thought about what I would do at this point in my life. I love being a stay at home mom. I love being able to be at my kids school. I love taking them to school and picking them up. I like getting laundry done during the day and going to the grocery store. Why is it that being a stay at home Mom doesn't qualify as a job? Why do I have to feel like I have to justify not having a job in addition to being a stay at home mom? Do people really think a stay at home mom has nothing to do?

I don't know what the answer is. All I know is that I have the constant struggle within myself about this topic. Let me know what you think.

9 comments:

Kristy said...

The stage of life I'm in and looking back, I have more guilt about the few times I worked while my kids were still at home. I often think would this or that have happened if I had been at home. Don't feel guilty about being home and relish evey moment.

Jenifer said...

I am busier than ever now that my kids are in school. The days fly by. You sound way busy! Good luck with those shirts....
Don't justify it to people. Women that say things like that don't get it. At all.

Cory Reese said...

I see how busy Mel stays as a stay at home mom.

I'm still unsuccessful in my quest to talk Mel into letting me be a stay at home dad. Put in a good word for me.

If I WERE a stay at home dad, I'd love to sit on the couch and eat Bon Bons and watch General Hospital all day. Or Cubs games.

Megan said...

I think that you are doing the best thing you could possibly do with your time: be there for your kids. I totally loved that my mom was always there when I got home from school, and always there to love me. Even in the short time I've known your family, I can't believe how quickly they grow up, so relish every moment, as said above!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness Mandy...the fact that you are in school is job/work enough. You don't have to justify at all...Kids need their mom's to be home during the day incase they are sick or need somthing brought to them. I think you would feel more guilty if you were not home to fulfill those needs...let alone being at school with them like you are...you are totally doing what you are supposed to...it is our God given duty to stay home with our kids...people just need to close their mouths...I would get a lot more done if my kids were in school...right now the work never ends because I am doing 1000 things....100 things would be much more managable. You are an awesome mom and def an awesome example to me!

Cory Reese said...

I'd love to! Can we work in some Chinese food from Pei Wei between innings?

Chris Hughes said...

You should not feel guilty. If we all had jobs and worked all day, who would volunteer for the PTA and take our grandma's out. You are a saint and it takes people like you to keep the school's running. Plus I am jelouse that you get to go shopping and do laundry with no kids. You are much more productive than me.

LOL

Karen and Guy Standing said...

The best revenge to those who make you feel like you have to justify your time at home is to raise the best kids in the world. I know I did!

Reese Gang said...

Dr. Phil said being a stay at home mom is worth the time of 2 full time jobs. There is no need to justify staying at home. My mom wasn't able to stay at home & I truely missed that. I hope to make a lot of memories with my kids that they remember.