I did not wake up early! I don't even know where my ipod is and I sat down in a chair and read a few blog posts instead.
Then I walked into the kitchen to refill my precious cup of coffee and I saw this!
I want one of those self cleaning houses or a fire torch! Anything that can possibly make doing the chores in this house less, would be great! It is a never ending to do list of constantly keeping up with things I just don't want to keep up with.
It's a matter of setting a time on the things that must be cleaned versus the things that I really wish I was doing!
Sure, I am home all day with only one child running about while the three older monsters are in school until 3. Sure I only have to pick up said monsters three weeks out of the month. Of course, The Boss does still take naps and I could actually settle in front of the sink during these periods of time. Reality is, I would much rather sit back in my chair and relax for the hour I get between laying him down and running out the door to be at the school for pick up! Just me? I didn't think so.
We are set to a standard when we stay home with our children. Our houses always look like the end result of Twister and we look like we were standing in the midst of chaos. Still people complain! We hear it in their tones and when they ask the question, "What did you do all day?"
It's not enough that I woke up early and got the monsters to school on time and that I made a path through the living room after distruct-o-boy took apart every toy box and laundry basket within reach. It's not enough that I managed to feed him a full meal and get a piece of toast in my mouth before he was inside the cabinet with the loud shiny pots? oh no! I must also be super domestic diva, Cape on tight, utility belt of cleaning products about my waist. I can not be overwhelmed or depressed. Lonely in my chosen profession! Oh no! My house must be a shining example of clean dishes and organized dressers. You should be able to eat off my floors.
I picked this stay at home mom gig after all.
The truth is I did still get the accusations when I was a full time working mom and some kind family member would stop by my house on my only day off and comment on the covered flat surfaces and the dishes in the sink!
Neither occupation was easier because I still had to be a mom during both jobs. I just know I looked forward to the five hours I got paid to be away from my children as a mini vacation! I love being home with my children, but it would be nice to not be expected to be some glorified Stepford Wife. perfectly coiffed and with a cake on the table every afternoon. I don't walk around in an apron, with make up in my face, coming up with the perfect three course meal every night.
I do bake the occasional cake or cookie! I do line my floors in newspaper and let my baby roll around in paint. I volunteer the time I do not have with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and School Fundraisers. I dish out praise and reprimands and prepared dinners and pack lunches. I walk everywhere and I pick up toys at the end of the day! I manage to remember to brush my teeth upon waking and I keep extra busy time activities in my purse for when we go out. I wash the dishes and fold the laundry and sometimes I clean toilets and scrub floors.
I wake up every morning and have to tell myself I am awesome over and over again until I have convinced myself of this. My rewards are paid in giggles and kisses and well placed hugs. I also have an entire gallery of kid art hanging on walls and the refrigerator as proof that I am doing a good job.
I also take breaks. I read books and post on Facebook and take showers alone, with the door closed, late at night! I make time for intimacy with my husband and I sometimes buy an entire bag of candy and eat it all by myself!
I am a super mom! We are all Super Mom's but never ask me what I did all day! Never expect me to thrive to your expectations of Perfection!
Honestly, these Susie homemaker ideals are stupid! I wish I could see into the life of these so called "helpful" family members when they were working or stay at home moms! What were their secrets? What magic did they have that they could keep up with a household, have dinner on the table and still look like they stepped out of a beauty parlor??
So it's 1 pm and I am still in my pajamas and there is a sink full of dishes that needs to be washed, a mountain of laundry that needs doing, floors that are sticky and my hair is a mess...
I will tell you what I have done today!
I danced with a baby and sang songs! I drank an entire cup of coffee! I wrote and I smiled.
Smiles are rare, I guarantee that if I never took time for myself, they would be nonexistent! I would be constantly cleaning and organizing and collapsing in my bed at a hour most of you would be getting up in the morning!
I don't stop, but If I did just stop, I would be on hoarders for sure, but my kids would be happy and I would be smiling!