We were back to school last week, but we did get a long weekend this past weekend due to Martin Luther King Day. I just love having Andrew (and Grace) home and not having to be on any particular schedule as far as getting dressed, having to be somewhere at a certain time, etc. Sometimes, Andrew wants to be in his pajamas all day and I say, "Go for it!" And we make cookies, play games, and just veg out. And Grace is in such a better mood when I don't have to shuttle her in and out of the car all day.
You know, I really do consider myself lucky to be able to say home with my kids these first few years of their lives and watch them grow into little people. I love having the opportunity to take them to the parks, the museums, their music class, etc. and to just be able to enjoy the little things like rainy days and making brownies together. I know there will come a time when neither one of them will want to spend an evening with me cuddling, or be seen with me at the park or mall. I know they will get their advice from their friends and I'll have to twist their tongues to find out what's new in their lives. Right now, my kids would not want to be anywhere or with anyone other than with me, and that just makes me feel like a million bucks! Now this changes from week to week, liking my job that is. I mean, it's a hard job, unbeknown st to many. I think people think that as a mom I just stay home, watch TV, take a nap, etc. I do none of that. It is by far harder than any job I've ever had. At the same time, it's the most rewarding.
The reason I say this is because I live in a community where the majority of the women stay home with their children. And I was at the gym yesterday attending a kickboxing class and the instructor made some comment about kicking as hard as you can. She goes on to mention that the kids are home from school today (AAHHH) so kick like you mean it. And a bunch of the moms yell, "Yaaaaahhh". You know what, I hear that a lot. There are women who stay at home and would rather be anywhere than with their kids. Or they're constantly looking for an escape from their kids. We all have our bad days and we all want an escape at some point. But overall, I look at it that we only have one life and we all need to take advantage of every day, doing what makes us most happy. If you want to work, by all means get a job. And don't feel guilty about it. You shouldn't worry about what anyone else thinks. It is amazingly tough to have a career, be a mom, and run a household. Or, if you want to stay home with your kids, don't feel like you're not contributing to society because you are. You're raising those little ones to be strong, independent adults. And that's amazing work too!
I was applying for health insurance the other day and the application asked for my profession. Since not having a job, I have cringed at this question. AARRGGG! I'm scrolling down and I see chauffeur, housekeeper, manager, cook, sales, child care, medical assistant...all these jobs that I'm coming across, I do on a daily or weekly basis...Then I click "homemaker". Can't they come up with SOMETHING better than that?? ;)
