The Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom

Being a stay-at-home mom...aww, it's wonderful! haha  So often that's the impression you get when you talk to other stay-at-home moms.  But the truth is, it's not all roses and sugar plums!  I have only been a stay-at-home mom for a two and half months now and I've already seen how tough this job is.  People that say a stay-at-home mom doesn't work are idiots.  They obviously have never done the job.  I have had the experience of having a job outside the home (as a second grade teacher) so I know what I'm talking about.  I can compare the two jobs and speak from experience.  Here's a quick comparison of pros and cons...

Working outside the home (as a teacher) vs. Being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM)

• Working outside the home meant I had a set schedule.  I woke up at 5:30am, got dressed, went to work, and came home by 5pm everyday.  Being a SAHM means I am at the mercy of my child.  Yes, we have a daily schedule, but Hannah doesn't always adhere to it. ;-)
• Being a SAHM allows be to stay in my pajamas all day, if I want.  Working outside the home meant I had to shower before work, do my hair, and wear makeup.
• Working outside the home allowed me to have a lunch break (even if it was only 30 minutes).  Being a SAHM means I don't eat lunch until Hannah goes down for her afternoon nap (somewhere around 2pm).  And that lunch is often interrupted by a crying baby.
• Being a SAHM means I don't miss any part of Hannah's life.  Working outside the home now would mean that I would have to miss out so many things with Hannah.
• Working outside the home gave me an opportunity to interact with adults and have friends I saw on a daily basis.  Being a SAHM means that I rarely see any adults, beside Brian and friends are few and far between.
• Being a SAHM means I don't have the stress of a boss looking over my shoulder. Working outside the home meant I had to meet certain criteria and perform to someone else's standards.
• Working outside the home meant I could go to work and then come home to relax.  Being a SAHM means I am never done with my job.  I don't have the luxury of leaving work at work.  I am on the clock 24/7.

There are many positives and negatives of being a SAHM.  Some days the negatives seem to win out, but most days the opposite is true. 

So why do I do it?  Why am I am SAHM?  I do it because God called me to be a mother and care for my children.  I do it because my family needs me to do it.  I do it because I feel that it is in Hannah's best interest for me to be at home with her.  I do it because if I didn't, I know I would regret it someday.