“What do you do with yourself these days?”
It’s a question I’ve heard a fair bit lately.
While many have given up asking when I’m going back to work, it seems now the hidden question is along the lines of what I do all day.
I may be a stay-at-home mum but I certainly don’t sit around all day having a good time.
In fact, it’s the complete opposite.
Unless you think the washing, cleaning, cooking and other house duties take care of themselves (I wish!).
But they’re just a small part of my day.
In fact I actually spend a big chunk of my time playing and or entertaining my 18-month-old bundle of energy, AKA Izzie.
Oh and providing her with what feels like a never ending supply of snacks and meals.
Other then naptime, which can last anywhere from an hour to three (if I’m lucky) depending on the day, she’s on the go from first thing in the morning right up until bedtime at 7pm.
It makes for busy times.
I’m not saying we don’t have quiet reading time or maybe a bit of downtime watching a show (think Bananas in Pyjamas) but usually there’s a lot of running (Izzie) and chasing (me).
Never a dull moment, that’s for sure.
The quietest time of day (bedtime, yay!) isn’t always necessarily an opportunity to relax in my comfy chair either, well not straight away anyway.
Dishes, sorting washing, re-making the bed, ironing, all the menial tasks really, usually take place at this time of night.
Oh and not to mention the words you see before you, my blog writing, the words don’t just fall on the page.
I often wonder how I managed to work full-time, do all the house duties and still have a social life.
I can’t remember the last time my lovely husband and I went out for dinner (I’m sure he’d like to change that).
Now my social life involves catching up on my recorded television shows.
Oh how life has changed….for the better, of course!
There are days where I long to be back working to a deadline but I know I’d miss hanging out with Izzie too much.
I’ve heard many mums (and a few others) say being a stay-at-home parent is one of the toughest jobs out there, because it never stops.
I’m sure everyone would have an opinion on this and let me just say, most people work hard in their own way.
But they do say to really appreciate what someone is going through, you need to walk a mile in their shoes.
Any takers? (Haha!)
But if I can leave you with a thought, let me give you a tip. Never ask a stay-at-home mum (or dad) what have they actually been doing all day, it may not go so well for you.
I totally agree with you in all of it. Not sure why people ask stay at home mums what they do all they. To me it’s an insult as most should know if they have kids that it’s hard work. In my case as I have three kids and with most of my kids my life while they were little was really hard for me. I worked full time and I sent all my three kids to child care as early as 6 months old because I had to go back to work to support my growing family. Most of the time I was a single mum so I was the dad, mum and the bread winner of my lil family. I had it tough and I felt sorry for my kids being sent to child care at that age. To top it off my kids where at the child care as soon as it was open so they all were awake at 5am sent to child care at 6am or 6.30am so I could get to work at 8.30 and it took me an hour in traffic to get to work. So everyone has a story and people that say ‘what do you do all day ‘ when you are a stay at home mum. Well I don’t sit around and do nothing the house doesn’t clean itself, laundry, dishes, vacuuming, mopping does not all clean itself. Sorry it’s a touchy subject for me cause it’s hard work. However now I enjoy my time with my kids more cause they are older and I’m home more.