I am beat.

What I learned today, and what I’ve been learning the past couple of weeks being out of work, is that staying home with my kids kicks my butt. The monotony, the whining, the tantrums, the diapers, and the ongoing list of thankless “mom” duties. It all kicks my butt.

Today my son actually napped, and for that I am grateful. I had a few solid minutes of being able to think straight to construct a semi-coherent cover letter. I did not finish it though because my daughter came home and immediately shoved a piece of paper in my face with complete expectation that I should drop everything.

I am not used to this. I’m used to shifting mindsets from “work” mode to “mom” mode. I obviously am used to day-to-day child-raising duties, but not on this scale. Like 40+ hours a week less than what I’m currently doing.

Stay at home moms, you ALL rock! The good ones, the bad ones, the crazy ones (I now know why some of you are crazy), the helicopter moms, the I-don’t-give-a-f&$K moms … you ALL rock. Anyone that chooses, or even doesn’t choose, to be home with their kids the majority of the time is amazing.

Kids are hard work. And I only have 2 kids! They can be ungrateful and unkind and you just keep doing your best for them, because you are mom. I’ve been a mom for 9 years and I now feel a better understanding for all of those amazing women that are stay at home moms and don’t go to a “real” job each day. It doesn’t get more real than the work required to be home with your kids all day.

Stifle Me Not