Initial Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that Mom's at home don't work, I am just using this convenient phrase.
Before my first child was born I lamented about the possibility of returning to work after maternity leave. I was sure that if I had to go back to work I would die of a broken heart. After 9 months of struggling every waking and sleeping moment I decided to quit my job in healthcare insurance and be a SAH mom.
It was bliss. The house was neurotically clean and I embraced homemaking, sewing, and being part of a circle of SAH moms.
But, before my second child came along my ex-husband had been fired from his job and I was working again to support our family as our marriage was well into its phase of dying. From this point on I worked or attended school continuously with few breaks of SAH mom-hood.
But here I am, Thanksgiving morning. We are being totally lazy here at our house and I am realizing that if you are a SAH mom you don't get paid holidays. Working Mom's get this change of pace day that allows them to live their SAH dream for a snippet of time. If I were a SAH mom this morning would have been the same as any other morning. I would be in the daily routine without much thought. The kids would expect the same as every day.
As a working mom, we have been talking about our 4 day weekend coming up for weeks. Mornings when the kids just couldn't stand getting up another day and going to school I reminded them of the number of days until we could all stay home and relax.
SAHD (Stay-at-home-days) in our house are truly a holiday. Some of my friends use these days to work as a short-order cook and make anything each kid wants for breakfast. Others cram all the activities and crafts they can't do because they work. Chez moi, it is a "do what you feel like" thing. The girls know I may or may not sleep in, and lucky for me they are old enough to take care of themselves either way. They know I may suggest an outing, may sit and watch movies, lay in bed and talk, or get up and clean the house.
I would love to be the supper mom who doesn't have to have a paying job too. I would volunteer at the school, run PTA boards and activities, sew, craft, decorate, and so much more. I would have clean vents, ceiling fans, and walls. My kids would be a little smothered, but they are too young to mind.
But, I am a supper mom who gets paid to spend 10 hrs commuting to and working towards the objectives of an organization. My work gives me a break from house keeping, sometimes I appreciate that, sometimes I miss the days of clean organization.
And, I like being trained to treat today like a holiday. I am not in my regular routine. I hope you SAH moms out there make today your holiday too. Whether you cook, clean, lounge, or scout out Black-Friday sales today is a holiday! Enjoy.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Cheers!
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