My Full-Time Job

When I was younger (aka in elementary school), I remember dreaming about what it would be like to be a grownup. I had the desire to become a pediatrician when I was in elementary school and when I was in high school, I wanted to be a teacher (both of my grandparents were teachers and I especially wanted to be like my grandma). I thought I would be a “Career Woman.” I knew I wanted to be a mom, I just didn’t know if I’d ever find someone who was right for me and who I wanted to marry.

I remember my crushes and how awful I felt when it finally got to the point of the”crush.” I remember waiting at school dances for someone, anyone to ask me to dance….and it just didn’t happen. I remember some of the days took forever to go by! Life went so slowly.

Ten plus years later, here I am. I am a stay-at-home mom and busier than I ever thought I would be. When people ask me what I do for a living, I can’t say I have what they call a “professional” job (aka doctor, lawyer, accountant, business owner). I am a mother and a wife – full-time, while trying to be a daughter and a sister part-time. When I was working full-time, we found out we were pregnant and I was so excited. I would be able to stay home, bake, make quilts, scrapbook, create cards, and watch the shows I wanted to watch. While those are fun things to do, they are things that involve “me.” Now, instead of watching my “Full House” tv shows, we turn on Batman and Robin cartoons or Sesame Street. Instead of scrapbooking about my boys, I’m actually spending time with my boys and playing with them and reading them books. Instead of quilting a blanket, I’m cuddling with my boys under a blanket we already own while watching a show during quiet time.

No longer is my top concern to have my makeup on or a stain-free shirt on (though I do try to get myself ready and presentable whenever possible). If my child is sick and we need to go to the doctor right away, makeup is my last priority. Sometimes I don’t even notice the mustard stain from hot dogs at lunch or chocolate milk stain from when I made my boys chocolate milk for breakfast. Sometimes it takes me a few hours to even recognize that the baby has spit up in my hair.

While being a stay-at-home mom and wife may not be considered “professional” in the work world, I know it has changed my life and that I have changed….for the better. I was a pretty giving person before I had kids, but being a mom has made me selfless. No longer am I concerned with having the biggest piece of cake or having a warm meal or watching my tv shows. I want my sons and husband to be happy and to have the best. I am so thankful for the blessing it has been both to my family and myself that “I” am able to raise my children at home and that I can be here for them if they need me. Being a stay-at-home and being there for my family may not be a “professional” job in the eyes of others, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s one of the most important jobs out there…..we are raising the future!