Motherhood is fun stuff

*So I must put a disclaimer on this post, this is mainly meant for my daughters to read in the future and this is by no means how I feel anyone else should live their lives and I by NO means am judging anyone else or want anyone to feel bad for the choices they make in their lives and families. This is mainly how I feel about my life, family and my own choices.

I have read many different articles online recently, have had talks with others and even this week in Relief Society we had the most amazing lesson on being a stay at home mom.  I keep thinking about this in my life and how my life and my families lives could be different.  I have manly different types of feeling about this, but I want my daughters and future kiddos to know why I choose to have my job title me Mom.

In society today, many times when I tell someone I don't work and I stay home with my kids I get multiple responses. Some good but many include "oh" (in a sarcastic tone) "what do you do all day?"  "oh that must be nice" (also in a sarcastic tone), "I wish I had more time to myself" "You have more time then me to do this" and the list goes on and on.....  Then of course I hear ones behind my back like, "stay at home moms don't have any personality, are boring, are uneducated, yada yada yada."  When I hear any of these I want to slap each and everyone of them and especially when it comes from another women/mother.

What I have to say to these people is that I am educated, I stay very busy with my life and I CHOOSE to stay home with my kids.  And you know what??? I LOVE IT!!!!  It is better then any other job I could possibly have. Do I have days where I want to jump off a cliff rather then hear anymore whining, tattling, or crying??? Heck yes! Many in fact.  Sometimes I would love to have a job to go to, just so I can talk about other things rather then Disney movies and my little ponies.  I would love to eat lunch without someone needing a cup of milk or a bite off my plate.  I would love to have performance reviews and have someone tell me I am amazing and am a hard worker. I would love to get a raise at the end of the year, or a bonus, or heck even get paid would be nice. I would love to use my four year degree and be challenged to learn new things in the work force rather then cook, feed children, clean, change diapers, repeat. I would love to feel more of an asset and needed by someone taller then me.  I would love to have a sick day where I could actually sleep it off.  I would love my house to stay clean for more then 5 seconds, because yes I am home all day, it should be more clean right?? Wrong! Actually it means my kids are home with me all day long making messes faster then I can clean them. I would love to have extra money to pay down the mortgage, buy a boat, have nicer cars or do fancier vacations. I would love not to spend hours clipping coupons so we can afford the good cereal.

But when all is said and done I still love what I do. Here are my reasons why:
I get to see my kids everyday and know when they are sad, happy, upset, anxious, nervous, excited, etc.
I know what comforts them and how to help them
I know their facial expressions and body language
I don't worry about co workers gossiping about me when I have to take yet another sick day with my child so I can take care of them and cuddle with them all day
I get to see their first steps, lost teeth, first days at school, soccer games, gymnastic days, dance practices etc.  I get to go on field trips and not worry about taking a long lunch or rushing back to work.
I get to bake cookies and do crafts with them.
I get to play dress up and play Candyland 100 times in a row
I get to watch as they learn new things and are proud of themselves.
I get a sense of pride when some stranger at a restaurant or on an airplane compliments me on how well behaved my kids are and I know it is because I have taught them to have manners and to be respectful to others.
I feel peace knowing that they got to school safely and were happy to start their day
I don't worry about them picking up naughty words or nasty colds at daycare
I get to teach them to use the potty, read, write, know their colors and numbers.
They make mom pretty pictures
I am the first person they come crying to when they are sad or hurt
I get to hear all about their day as soon as they are home, the good and the bad.
I get to teach them about things in life they way I want them to. Like sex, religion, etc
I get to learn how to make new things and become a better cook and baker, then we have more home cooked meals that actually taste good.
I get to serve others and teach my children how to do it too
I get to tuck them in every night and get a bear hug and kiss.

The list goes on and on.  At the end of the day I am proud to say I am a stay at home mom.  I am needed. I am an asset to my family. I am using my education to teach my children.  I am creative and fun.  I don't get paid in money but rather in kisses, hugs and pretty pictures. I am busy and sometimes can't go to the bathroom by myself. I am a good mom and I have beautiful and well behaved children that are proof of all the hard work.

I am so extremely thankful for my hard working husband because without him, I could not have the best job in the world.  He worked hard at getting a good education and got a good job where we can afford for me to be at home.  He would work 4 jobs before he wanted me to get one.   He does appreciate me, and without a doubt, doesn't know how I do it everyday. He is good at letting me go out with friends and do some mini weekends away because he knows I need some "me" time.  I know many working moms out there wish they could do what I do.  I know many of them have to work to help provide a living and you gotta do what you gotta do. I have no doubt that their kids are loved, well behaved and they are great moms too! I am just happy I don't have to work outside my home. Someday I might go back to work so I can help with saving money for the kids college funds, weddings, missions (theirs and mine) or it might be to help pay bills too. But for today I am happy doing what I do.  I hope my girls can know that yes being home with them means many different kinds of sacrifices, but they are worth every.single.one. of them.