There are a few things I've learned in my short amount of time at a Stay-at-home-Mom. I thought that when I decided to stay home with my kids, I would be able to finish all of my projects (sewing, decorating, etc.) and make lots of yummy home-made meals!
Alas, I have been at home pretty much full time for the last 9-ish months and this is what I've learned..
1. Your house will not always be clean (even if you employ a cleaning lady!).
2. You will have Good days and Bad days (sometimes it will seem like all you have are bad days).
3. Getting out of the house is vital (to your sanity and your kids wellbeing).
4. Making dinner from scratch is NOT REALISTIC every night.
5. It is ok and not at all shameful to HIRE help.
This list currently stands at 5, but I can promise you that before this year is up (true it's only February) I will have add about a Bazillion more things to it!
There is no manual, no how-to book on being a SAHM, and most days I think the majority of us are just "winging it", and you know what, that is A-Okay!
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Some days I don't like my job..
Like many other working Americans, some days I really hate my job. For me, however, my "9-5", "punching the time clock" consists of managing my household and keeping my three kids alive. Unlike most Americans though, my job doesn't start at 9 or end at 5, it's dealing with bitchy co-workers 24/7! And truth be told, some days I would rather be anywhere else, doing any other job.
My day revolves around keeping three (sometimes four if I include my husband, who is some days like a fourth child) other people happy, fed and entertained ALL DAY, by MYSELF!
And no matter what I do, any need I could possibly have during the day has to wait until all the girls are either eating, sleeping, changed or otherwise occupied. And without fail, every time, as soon as I sit down to eat lunch, pee or just cruise the inter web someone inevitably needs something right at that moment.
Yes I love my kids, No I would not trade them for anything in the world (or at least almost- anything!) but some days (most days) I have a thankless job with sucky pay and no time off!
And now my break is over, so back to work I go. Thankfully tomorrow is Friday (if only that had the same meaning for a Mom as it does for the rest of working America).
My day revolves around keeping three (sometimes four if I include my husband, who is some days like a fourth child) other people happy, fed and entertained ALL DAY, by MYSELF!
And no matter what I do, any need I could possibly have during the day has to wait until all the girls are either eating, sleeping, changed or otherwise occupied. And without fail, every time, as soon as I sit down to eat lunch, pee or just cruise the inter web someone inevitably needs something right at that moment.
Yes I love my kids, No I would not trade them for anything in the world (or at least almost- anything!) but some days (most days) I have a thankless job with sucky pay and no time off!
And now my break is over, so back to work I go. Thankfully tomorrow is Friday (if only that had the same meaning for a Mom as it does for the rest of working America).
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
My Minivan made me a better Mom.
Before I became a Mom I had LOTS of ideas and opinions on Motherhood; things I would do and things I would absolutely not do.
One of those things I would not do was DRIVE A MINIVAN! No Way! I thought... those are just for Moms who define themselves by the fact that they have children. It's those crazy Stay-at-home-Moms who do everything to cater to their kids that drive them.
When I actually became a Mom, I upgraded my little Subaru for a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It had more room and just sat a bit higher so it made me feel like my sweet little baby girl was safer riding in it. I still thought, "Why do these Mom's get talked into driving a Minivan when I can drive this nice SUV and be great?!".
And then it happened.. I got pregnant with TWINS! When I realized that we were going to have to move out of our current house to a bigger house, I realized that I probably couldn't keep driving my Jeep. I was so frustrated. I remember trying to figure out what I could get that would work for toting my then 2 1/2 year old and newborn twins. So, we bought a bigger SUV with a third row. And it was GREAT until.. the twins grew!
When the Twins transitioned into bigger car seats, you know the ones where you have to actually take them out and put them in I had a complete breakdown the first time we actually put them into the car. It was so difficult getting the seats to fit nicely rear facing. I had to walk away and let my hubby do it because I just couldn't handle it. In the SUV I had to literally climb into the car to load one of the twins into the middle car seat; there were a few times I almost fell out of the car trying to get down and sometimes with a baby in my arms. I was starting to get very frustrated and started to fear that I would have to drive the dreaded Minivan.
So, on the sly I started to look at van's online while my hubby was at work. I didn't want him to know I was thinking that I might want one. Once I realized that I wanted to convenience rather than people to "judge me on driving a minivan" as I had done to other, I decided it was time to tell my hubby. This is what I said:
Me: So..don't laugh at me, but I think I want a Minivan!
Hubby: (Laughs) Really?
Me: I said don't laugh.. but yah.. I'm tired of being frustrated every time I want to leave the house with the kids, or get parked so close to at the store that I can't get the door open wide enough to get the kids in. (And on and on with the many things that were making me crazy with my SUV)
Needless to say that Hubby realized that it really was painful for me to try to take our troop anywhere by myself with the SUV and he bought me a Toyota Sienna.
IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!
Now, I don't get mad when I have to leave my house with all three kids. Now I don't have to climb into my car to load the twins, I can open the doors (which are automatic!) and just plop them in! And now I don't feel the need to key the car parked so close next to me that I can't get my doors open.
Now when we start the prep work for leaving the house I don't get instantly pissed when we get to the "loading" phase and I actually take my kids out more often because I don't dread getting them into the car!
One of those things I would not do was DRIVE A MINIVAN! No Way! I thought... those are just for Moms who define themselves by the fact that they have children. It's those crazy Stay-at-home-Moms who do everything to cater to their kids that drive them.
When I actually became a Mom, I upgraded my little Subaru for a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It had more room and just sat a bit higher so it made me feel like my sweet little baby girl was safer riding in it. I still thought, "Why do these Mom's get talked into driving a Minivan when I can drive this nice SUV and be great?!".
And then it happened.. I got pregnant with TWINS! When I realized that we were going to have to move out of our current house to a bigger house, I realized that I probably couldn't keep driving my Jeep. I was so frustrated. I remember trying to figure out what I could get that would work for toting my then 2 1/2 year old and newborn twins. So, we bought a bigger SUV with a third row. And it was GREAT until.. the twins grew!
When the Twins transitioned into bigger car seats, you know the ones where you have to actually take them out and put them in I had a complete breakdown the first time we actually put them into the car. It was so difficult getting the seats to fit nicely rear facing. I had to walk away and let my hubby do it because I just couldn't handle it. In the SUV I had to literally climb into the car to load one of the twins into the middle car seat; there were a few times I almost fell out of the car trying to get down and sometimes with a baby in my arms. I was starting to get very frustrated and started to fear that I would have to drive the dreaded Minivan.
So, on the sly I started to look at van's online while my hubby was at work. I didn't want him to know I was thinking that I might want one. Once I realized that I wanted to convenience rather than people to "judge me on driving a minivan" as I had done to other, I decided it was time to tell my hubby. This is what I said:
Me: So..don't laugh at me, but I think I want a Minivan!
Hubby: (Laughs) Really?
Me: I said don't laugh.. but yah.. I'm tired of being frustrated every time I want to leave the house with the kids, or get parked so close to at the store that I can't get the door open wide enough to get the kids in. (And on and on with the many things that were making me crazy with my SUV)
Needless to say that Hubby realized that it really was painful for me to try to take our troop anywhere by myself with the SUV and he bought me a Toyota Sienna.
IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!
Now, I don't get mad when I have to leave my house with all three kids. Now I don't have to climb into my car to load the twins, I can open the doors (which are automatic!) and just plop them in! And now I don't feel the need to key the car parked so close next to me that I can't get my doors open.
Now when we start the prep work for leaving the house I don't get instantly pissed when we get to the "loading" phase and I actually take my kids out more often because I don't dread getting them into the car!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Welcome to Motherhood Anonymous
Sometimes I wish there was a group, a Motherhood Anonymous meeting where I could go talk to other Mom's, somewhere where there were other people who would understand completely when I say things like:
"I did nothing today and yet I am exhausted"
"I imagine noises.. when I'm in the shower.. I swear I hear screaming!"
"Do any of you remember what it's like to pee alone?"
Or, on bad days where I say things like:
"I just want them to leave me alone!"
"I don't think my husband understands what I do all day; he has it easy being at work all day."
"Maybe I'll just stop doing the dishes, washing the clothes and cooking dinner and see what happens."
Well since there are no such meetings in my area (that I know of) and really what Mom has the time (or ability to find a babysitter) to "get away" from her family long enough to participate in a meeting like this?
So, here I am. My name is Enjoli Strait and I am a mother of three. All Girls. A 3 year old and 1 year old twins. Welcome to Motherhood Anonymous! I hope we can help each other through this journey!
"I did nothing today and yet I am exhausted"
"I imagine noises.. when I'm in the shower.. I swear I hear screaming!"
"Do any of you remember what it's like to pee alone?"
Or, on bad days where I say things like:
"I just want them to leave me alone!"
"I don't think my husband understands what I do all day; he has it easy being at work all day."
"Maybe I'll just stop doing the dishes, washing the clothes and cooking dinner and see what happens."
Well since there are no such meetings in my area (that I know of) and really what Mom has the time (or ability to find a babysitter) to "get away" from her family long enough to participate in a meeting like this?
So, here I am. My name is Enjoli Strait and I am a mother of three. All Girls. A 3 year old and 1 year old twins. Welcome to Motherhood Anonymous! I hope we can help each other through this journey!
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