I think there is some debate at times as to the working mom vocation vs the stay-at-home mom vocation. I don't personally care one way or another. I have made my decision and it works for my family. It may not work for others.
I heard this the other day: working moms: treat your job as your hobby. Stay at home moms: have a hobby. You need to do something for yourself. You don't need to be 100% self-sacrificing and then snarl at your kids because you're "doing all this for them and they should appreciate it, dammit." (insert sarcasm font) I know a lot of stay at home moms who read, knit, cook/bake (above and beyond the normal 3 meals/day), make homemade "stuff" to sell and profit, study their faith and attend daily mass, etc.
I tend to analyze what I do to be more efficient and productive to spend more quality time w/ the family. We eat pretty healthy, but if I can make instant mashed potatoes vs cutting the potatoes, cooking, smashing, and whipping to spend an extra 10 min w/ my child playing a matching game, instant-potato on. I have also started to spread out my weekend chores throughout the week so instead of 4 laundry loads on Saturday, I do them t/o the week. Maybe I'm losing "ME" time at night or in the morning. BUT - my babies are only babies for so long.
Can I put my makeup on a little faster? Can I wake up a little earlier and empty the dishwasher? Can I ask my family for help? YES I CAN. I can lay down my pride in thinking "I can do it all" and ask them for help. I can let the floor go one more day w/o vacuuming if it means one more game of tickle tag.
This isn't a conclusion. This whole process is a journey. I haven't quite got it perfect - it takes daily dedication. First I needed to find my hobby and while I love to read, sing, play music, exercise, I found I already have a main hobby - its my work. I'm treating it as such because I love it; it interests me, it challenges me, and it encourages me to socialize, learn, and grow, and above all I get to do God's work and help people.
well said! Every family is different, you gotta do what works for you. Even though I've made the decision to be a stay-at-home mom, I had a terrific childhood with a working mother.
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