It’s official. I’m a working mom.
I’m now in my second week being back at work after a totally relaxing and luxurious maternity leave. Ha! I say that sarcastically because I have seen the light: stay-at-home moms have the toughest job on the planet, as cliche as it may sound. It’s true! There is nothing more challenging than caring for the needs of your child(ren) all. day. long. It’s frustrating to not even pee without peering over the toilet and into the bedroom where your baby lays wailing in the bouncer. And it’s a bit depressing to not leave the house because your first-class sweatsuit (and somehow your ponytail) is covered in spit up and you don’t have the energy to change clothes. Even so, I find myself longing to join the ranks of the SAHM. Toward the end of my maternity leave–when I was beginning to feel like a real, live SAHM–Little Man and I found a nice routine. We were venturing out of the house together, having all kinds of conversations, and he was on the brinks of showing me his colorful little personality. When it came time to return to work, I was surprisingly disappointed. Don’t get me wrong. I love working. I’m a careerist at heart. But, when Jake hit the scene, I suddenly realized that my career was a little less important than I thought it was.
My return to society has been really fabulous, though. My co-workers have been encouraging, and Jake and I are figuring out a new routine that is working very well. I don’t spend my days pining for my baby, and I really enjoy wearing clothes with buttons again. But, Ricky and I have a whole new vision for our family, and in the coming years, it doesn’t involve me working a 9 to 5er. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the precious little time we have together as a family, and I’ll trust God to help us make the right decisions as we prepare for my eventual return to the difficult, messy, and wonderful world of spit up and ponytails.
I cried all through this one and cried through it again when I read it to your Daddy. You have such a gift of writing. Seriously, you should submit this to a magazine. I love you and all you are.
I know you posted this forever ago, but it is so relevant and is something I’m battling with now. Do I want to the a stay at home mommy or do I want to go back to work? I’ve gone back and forth already – and my family tells me I won’t know until I look into the face of our little one, Carly. She’s due in January. Anyway – I’d love to chat with you sometime and see what you’re doing now. Still the 9 to 5er? Miss you, Carrie
Hey Carrie! Congratulations on your pregnancy! I hope you’re feeling well. Yes, I’m still the 9to5er…and I will be for a while. Ricky is starting school to get a technical degree to become an auto mechanic, which requires him to cut back to part-time at work. I have come to accept that God’s timing is very different from my own, even though it seems “right” and “best” for me to be home. Clearly, I am not ready in the eyes of the Lord, or I would be doing it now. I am trusting Him for the perfect timing. I see you have a blog too! I’ll catch up. You can also email me at tgreenway@gmail.com