More than just a full time job... Full time life

So, I know the topics been beaten to death... "Being a stay at home mom is easy" Usually a comment made by a Man... lol

The purpose of this post isnt to take a stance on this, its simply to tell what being a stay at home mom is like for ME! Just wanted to make that clear....

I have always worked... From Hollywood Video to Home Depot... From a fitness trainer to a bartender... I've worked since I was 17 years old! While I was pregnant I was absolutely certain I was going to go back to work within 6 months of Jackson being born... I would say "Oh there's no way I would stay at home for 6 months, I would go crazy" (I was half right)

Now I swallow my very bold statement... 

While I have thought about part time work, I am often reminded how much I miss Jackson even when I just pop over to the store! He grows so much every day and I feel so very blessed that I can be here with him to catch every new coo, or watch him sitting up a little more steady every day... I cherish every moment because they truly are slipping by so quickly that it makes my heart ache! I LOVE waking up and knowing I get to hang out with my little man all day and help him develop and learn about the world around him...

That being said.... Being a SAHM (stay at home mom) is also very, very, very challenging!! Here's what I mean....

- I NEVER get a break...

- Showers are a luxury

- Makeup must be done in under 5 minutes

- I always have to be "on" for the baby

- Being tired is not an option

- Dont expect to be appreciated (Men just dont understand)

- It gets lonely

- It takes 3 hours to watch an hour long show

- Every thing takes an hour longer

- Any free moment is always a toss up between cleaning or eating

- I havent slept in in 6 months

- I NEVER have a good night sleep.  

- Entertaining a 6 month old all day is HARD WORK

Now dont get me wrong. This isnt a SAHM pity party... I'm just offering up the reality of what my days are like.. Seems so negative but there are great perks in the job!

- Catching every milestone

- Being able to take our time and not rush through the day

- Never having to miss him

- Being there when he needs to be held

- Having a routine

- Holding him whenever I want

The change from working woman to SAHM was difficult for me at first! To begin, Kenny used to work out of town for 5-7 days at a time so I was alone with the baby (and with no car) 24/7! It was incredibly nerve racking since at that time he was just brand new (as was I in the mommy role)... When I think back I dont know how I did it! 

Then Kenny started working back in town so he could be home every night and not miss out on time with Jackson! (thank God)! But its still very difficult when I'm home all day doing my "job" and then Kenny gets home from his job I often hope for a bit of relief but it rarely happens as Kenny is usually too tired to do too much.. Not so much during the week, but on the weekends he really just isnt motivated... Which is hard on me because as selfish as it may sound... I want some free time to say, watch a whole movie... Or catch up on some journaling... etc... 

Being a mom is truly a JOB... And there are no breaks when youre the main caretaker.. I've learned that the only way I can have time for myself is to work around Jacksons schedule.. And thats how my days are now... We have a routine and thats how we keep our sanity.. Here's a bit of how my day looks

*7:30am : Jax wakes up

*8am - 9am : Get Jax dressed, do dishes, fix coffee, fix both our breakfasts and eat breakfast together

*9am-10am: Shower and get dressed while Jax plays in his high chair (If Jax is in a good mood)

*10am-12p: Jackson naps. Watch Live with Kelly and Michael and start doing things on my to do list

*12p-2pm : Play time.. Usually tummy time, sitting up time, bouncey time etc...

*2pm : Lunch time for Mommy and Jax 

 *2:30p : Nap Time for Jax while I usually clean all his toys and maybe try to catch up on an episode of mad men or Greys

*3:30p : Wakes up and usually likes to cuddle a bit 

*4pm-5pm : Walk time (he usually gets another little nap in)

*5pm : Daddy comes home and usually takes him to watch the kids play little league next door while I cook dinner

*6pm : Everyone eats dinner

*6:30-7pm : Bath time, cuddle/story time and then bed by 8pm

obviously it doesnt always go that smoothly.. Jax has good days and he has awful days but I try to go along this schedule best i can... Also the first thing I do every morning is create a to do list... It helps my head stay clear so I'm not always thinking, oh I need to do this or oh I cant forget to do that... 

Most important thing that I do is just to give myself a break... emotionally.... No one can do it all and no mom is perfect.. Messes are allowed... Laundry can wait... Dirty dishes wont kill you... I just remember to enjoy the opportunity I have to be with my little boy and watch every second of his new little life...

Thanks for taking the time to read!

xoxo

SaraH