Confessions Of A Stay At Home Mom

1. My house is NOT always tidy.

I once had the perception that being at home during the day the would give me ample time to keep the house looking Pinterest-perfect.  I was sadly mistaken.  A toddler at play is shockingly similar to a tornado.  Regardless of how long I spend cleaning and organizing, the house will ultimately be cluttered fifteen minutes after Cupcake has been set loose.  I live in a vicious cycle of picking up toys and sweeping up discarded snacks only to find that a new, more extensive mess has been created in another room.  I have come to terms with the fact that despite my best efforts my home will never be spotless.

2. Sometimes dry cereal and a slice of cheddar cheese counts as lunch.

Nutrition is a huge priority in our household.  We are raising Cupcake vegetarian, and she truly enjoys experimenting with new foods.  That being said, there are days when my little love is exceedingly finicky.  I am forced to choose my battles, and occasionally allowing my dear daughter to make decisions based on random cravings and a desire for odd food combinations makes life a little less stressful for both of us.  Tears are avoided and lunchtime is survived by all.  Sounds like a victory to me!

3. Privacy is non-existing.

With much shame I admit that there have been moments I have nearly forgotten to shut the bathroom door when entertaining houseguests.  The few instances when I have attempted any semblance of privacy in the last twenty months, chubby little fingers have peaked under the door followed by a desperate cry of, “Mommy, Mommy!”  The leisurely bubble baths I once indulged in are a dwindling memory.  Miss Cupcake follows me from room to room.  Sometimes if I stop suddenly she runs into me and falls over because she is following so closely.  Where I go, she goes.  She is always there.  Always. 

4. There are days when my socks don’t match.

As I sit here pondering the realities of motherhood, I can not help but be keenly aware of the fact that I am wearing two distinctly different socks.  Why would a competent adult spend the morning in unmatching socks?  Perhaps the dryer ate one.  Perhaps Cupcake stuffed one in her Diaper Genie.  The possibilities are endless.  The truth is I have more important things to be concerned about at the moment… like the fact that my dearest Cupcake just colored on the walls.

5. I sometimes miss having a 8am-5pm job.

Let me be clear, I adore being a SAHM.  However, it is far more difficult than any “job” I have every experienced.  I occasionally remember that triumphant feeling of clocking out on a Friday knowing a weekend full of relaxation awaits me.  I miss the recognition that comes with being an esteemed employee.  While I miss working outside the home, I also treasure the time I have with Cupcake.  I know these precious moments will be gone all too quickly.  I may not receive a salary for the work I do, but everyday I am rewarded with her love.  I may not receive a great deal of recognition for the sacrifices and exertions of being a SAHM, but the adoration in those little eyes is the greatest compensation imaginable.

"There was never a child so lovely, but his mother was glad to get him to sleep."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

JJJ

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