Sunday, June 27, 2010

Don't You Get Bored?

I have been asked this question a lot lately...."Don't you get bored being home all day?"  The answer is yes and no.  Being a SAHM is something I have always wanted to do.  Even as a little girl I used say I wanted to be a wife and mommy when I grew up.  Now that I am actually living this dream, I can say that it's not always what I dreamed of.  However, it is still my dream job and I truly do love it.

Being a SAHM is a tough job!  It's definitely not sitting around eating bon-bons all day.  I am exhausted at the end of the day, but I find this to be the most fulfilling and rewarding career.  As I said in a previous post (The Mess Can Wait), I stay at home so that I can take care of Hannah....she is my #1 priority.  However, I am also in charge of so much more.  It is my responsibility to keep the house clean and orderly, to prepare the meals, to do the shopping, to iron, to feed the dog, to get the mail, to do the laundry, to keep our social calendar organized, and so much more.  Yes, Brian helps me in so many ways and I have been blessed with an amazing husband who actually likes to do some of those things too, but ultimately they are my responsibility. 

So how do I stay sane?  How do I keep this job from becoming mundane and overwhelming?  Well, it's not always easy, but I try to switch it up a little, every once in a while.  I agree that staying locked up in the house would drive me crazy, so I make a point to get out of the house at least once a week (usually more often).  We do all kinds of things: grocery shopping, lunch dates with friends, play dates, story time at the library (haven't technically gone yet, but it's on the calendar for mid July), dinner dates with daddy, shopping trips (even if it's just to look...remember we are always trying to be thrifty!), and even just walks in the neighborhood.  Getting out of the house is a priority for me.  When I first had Hannah I found myself staying inside a lot!  Mostly due to the fact that I was healing (physically and emotionally) and that taking a one or two week old baby anywhere is overwhelming.  But it didn't take me long to realize that I couldn't survive that way.  I started going stir crazy and knew that I couldn't keep up that routine.   

When I think about my role as a SAHM, I often think of the Proverbs 31 woman.  Who has time to get bored when you have her standard to live up to (ultimately, it is God's standard, but you know what I mean)

Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.  She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.  She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.  She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.  She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.  In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.  She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.  Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  Shewatches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.


Being a stay at home mom is exhausting and mundane at times, but it's so rewarding.  I am blessed to be able to stay home every day with my beautiful little girl and watch her grow up.  Being confined to these four walls can get tiresome, but being a SAHM is not a boring job.  It is full of surprises and joy!  I have been called to be a mother and I take this job seriously.  I strive to be like the woman spoken of in Proverbs 31 (well, maybe not the "she gets up while it is still dark" part! haha)  What a lofty goal! 

I am so blessed!

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