I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a friend. I am a wife. I am a mom -- a
working mom.
I returned to work part-time when Easton was just 8 weeks old. I did this after much discussion with my mom, who helped me realize that it was in both mine and Easton's best interest to return to work part-time and extend my maternity leave for as long as possible. Going back part-time after 8 weeks, allowed me 10 additional weeks of part-time, opposed to only 4 more full weeks off before returning full-time. I suppose it made sense. After all, mother knows best, right? Right! I will admit this was the best decision I could have made. Not only was it nice being part-time for the entire summer, but it helped make my transition to full-time so much easier.
Being a working mom is no easy task. Thankfully I love my job and work with an awesome group of people who making going to work everyday easier. But I truly think people underestimate the title 'working mom'. Not only do I work 40 hours a week, but I am a full-time mom, cleaning lady, cook, banker, grocery shopper, and laundromat, aside from a gazillion other things. Not to mention, Bryan took a new job the same week I went back to work full-time and this new job is pretty demanding of his time. He went from working 9am-3pm to working 7am-7pm, therefore I can no longer rely on Bryan to be home for dinner, let alone to pick up Easton from daycare, etc. I often stress over the fact that I don't have time to get anything done around the house after work - the laundry piles high, and furballs dance around the woodfloors when you walk by. And the dinner thing is an issue in itself. I have been slacking in the kitchen due to the fact that I never know when Bryan will be home and I'm not motivated to think of what to make for myself, let alone take the time away from Easton to make an entire meal. So cereal, soup, grilled cheese -- anything quick n' easy -- it is!
Today, I stayed home with Easton. And today, I took on a whole new appreciation for 'stay-at-home' moms. I don't want to say that I've underestimated those who choose to stay at home, but I really think I have. I had big plans for my day off today, but big plans were not accomplished. Our day started off with a trip to the doctor's office which was a waste of time, but at least my mind is at ease that Easton just has a cold and it's nothing more. While I was out, I ran down to Babies R Us, which is inconveniently located from our house so I don't make it out there often. I've had a few things to knock off my to-do list there, so I figured it'd cross it off the list while I was already halfway there. During my 'day in the life of a stay-at-home-mom', I wanted to be productive. I wanted to dust and vacuum, clean bathrooms, do laundry, make baby food, make dinner, pull out fall/Halloween decor, and as much as I hate to admit it, the only things I checked off this list were scrubbing one toilet, making baby food and making dinner. I don't know how stay-at-home-mom's get anything productive accomplished. The second I attempted to do something, Easton was fussing for attention. Now I need to remember that he does have a cold and was therefore more fussy than usual, but still.
A 'stay-at-home-mom' is everything a 'working mom' is, minus the 40 hours at the office, but in turn, they are a full-time daycare, which makes it just as hard to be successful at those other duties because their main responsibility is tending to the peanut gallery. Perhaps it comes more natural to others, or it just takes a little getting used to juggling that type of lifestyle and getting into a routine, but after just one day in the life of a stay-at-home-mom, I'm ready to go back to work! I think people have higher expectations for a stay-at-home-mom to have a clean house, empty laundry hampers and dinner on the table, but it's really not that easy, and after just one day, I get it. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my son and I miss him every second while I'm at work, but I have to admit that it's kinda nice going to work everyday and being able to be productive, get things accomplished, check things off my list, and then come home to play the role of mom. And heck, if the laundry doesn't get done today, it's ok. My responsibility after putting in 40 hours at the office is to spend time with Easton -- to play with him, sing and dance, make silly faces and make memories that I can take with me back to the office each day. :) The cleaning can wait!
To all those working moms out there, good for you! And for those moms who stay-at-home, good for you! I think in an ideal world, my happy medium would be part-time. Hopefully someday! Until then, I shall resume my life as a working mom. To each their own, but bottom line, MOMS RULE!!
And with that said, I'll leave you with a photo of my precious family. (the background on my computer at work that I stare at all day)
