SAHM's

I was reading The Odd Wife's blog earlier, and for some reason, I can't comment on it which I find extremely annoying, so I decided just to post my comments here on my blog. Anyway, seems there have been some discussions of career moms vs. stay at home moms. TOW is a career mom and made a comment on another blog about how SAHM's have the dream life that she would like to have, and how we have it made. I do agree, we do have it made. I'm greatful and thankful that my hubs and I can live on one salary. Its hard sometimes, and we cut alot of corners but its worth it. Even if I did choose to work, I would only be working to have my 3 kids in daycare. Do you guys know what it costs to put 3 kids in daycare?? Its more than a mortgage payment. I think all moms have had this discussion. It can go either way. One of my career mom friend had said something to me along the lines of "What DO you do all day? Don't you sit around watching soaps all day?" I WISH. Not at all. This has become a crazy full time job for me. I have very little time to sit during a day. And even if I do sit, I generally have 3 kids hanging off of me. There is no alone time, or sick days, ever. Just before the birth of our first child, we decided that I would quit my job. It was a really hard decision for me. I loved my job! But I didn't want someone else to raise my baby. At first, to be honest, it SUCKED! I HATED IT. It was so hard. I was used to being w/ people all day, doing something important, getting pats on the back. And then I was alone w/ this little guy, I thought I was doing everything wrong, I was alone all the time, my hubs was working really long hours, and I completely forgot how to manage my time. I was also suffering from postpartum depression. But then I found a moms group, and it saved me. I began to really enjoy my baby. Then I had another, and another. And though there are some days that are really really hard, I know I'm fourtante, and wouldn't want to change it for the world. I thought that as my kids got older, that things would be less busy for me. Not true at all. I think the older they get, the busier it gets. They get more activites, and there are endless oppurtunitys for me to get involved with. Its a different world here. Hubs and I get into it on occasion b/c he thinks that he works harder than I do, which physically he does. But emtionally, and mentally I think my job is harder. The entire responsibility of the household rests on me. If I don't cook, no one eats. If I don't do the laundry, nothing is clean. If I don't give the kids a bath, they stay dirty. We moms have very difficult jobs as well, and a little appreciation goes along way. Still, I love staying at home w/ my kids, and I would not change it. I think all mothers, if they have the oppurtunity, should stay home. After you get used to it, there's nothing better.