When you ask the vast majority of people what is harder being a stay-at-home mom or working, most of them would believe that being a stay-at-home mother was easy. However, for those of us who know firsthand – it’s anything but.
I’ve heard it all: stay-at-home moms are lazy, or they need to get a real job, or they should work and tend to their kids. The list goes on and on, and honestly, it’s pretty ignorant.
A long time ago, I would have honestly even agreed with them. But boy was I wrong.
When my first little one was born, I decided to be a stay-at-home mom because it was what I thought would be better for my baby, and day care just wasn’t a cost-effective option for me either.
I remember when I first told some of my friends, and the look on their faces said it all.
Within days of beginning my journey of being a stay-at-home mom, I was lonely, disgruntled, overwhelmed, and burned out. I woke up all hours of the night, getting a few hours of sleep. Then, I would wake up, feed the baby, manage to throw a crumb in my mouth, and proceed to spend the rest of the day running around trying my best to get everything taken care of.
I remember thinking, “Wow, this is so much harder than I ever imagined.” Even more, I actually envied the moms who worked.
Fast forward to a few years later, and it hasn’t gotten any easier. Toddlers are a whole other level. I never do anything by myself. I never get a break. When I do get a break, it’s spent falling asleep on myself and throwing a muffin in my mouth before it’s gone time or bedtime again.
I am not lazy, not even close. I’m lonely. I am tired. And my boss is a tyrant. The most wonderful benefit though is that I love my boss with all my heart. Despite the tears, the frustration, and the moments in which I could tear all of my hair out, that child is my favorite person who ever existed. And he is worth it.
With all of that being said, please, for the love of all things holy, don’t just stay at home moms. Instead, if you know and love one, help us out, and at the very least check upon us!