Not Just A Stay At Home Mom

Probably the best part about Facebook is reconnecting with long lost friends, and finding out what your graduating class is now up to, *cough* a decade later.

It used to intimidate me when I'd see fellow class mates listing their colleges, degrees, and jobs. Worse when they would list all the different parts of the world they have studied in, traveled too, and even lived in. My profile, at the time I thought, was lame in comparison to their grand ones.

I am simply a stay at home mom. Yep, just a stay at home mom. Before changing diapers and wiping noses, I started out at Ohio State and because of my lack of math skills, dropped out. Then I tried my hand at beauty school. I did finish that, and went onto to be a hair dresser. Yet inside, I felt empty. I felt like a puzzle piece shoved into the wrong place. Was this really my calling in life?

Let me share a tiny background. Growing up I never saw myself being a mom. Wife maybe, but never a mom. I didn't really have a super strong desire to have children. Sure they were cute, but I knew that they took a lot of work and sacrifices all around. Plus, pregnancy, labor and delivery sure didn't sound very glamorous or relaxing. To be honest, I wanted to move to New York City and live in a studio apartment with a fat orange cat named Albert as my only companion. Maybe have a boyfriend. And my job? Well I'd do something important and thrilling to allow me to live in such an exciting city. The dreams of a young Ohio teen, huh?

Then I met my "future" husband in my early 20"s. It was love at first sight. We became friends, dated, and got engaged. I knew not only did I want to be married to this man, I wanted to have children with him as well. And? I wanted to stay at home and raise them.

I have been a stay at home mom now for 4 and a half years. There are days I want to pull my hair out. There are days I miss working and bringing home a paycheck. There are days when I wonder if I will ever gain my sanity back. There are also days when my heart feels it will explode if I hear one more giggle, "I love you mom", or tiny voice singing or talking. There are days I feel like the luckiest girl in the world and wouldn't trade my current "job status" for anything!

It still can be, some days, hard to explain to others why I want to be home with my kids instead of working and putting them in day care. It's hard not to feel as special or important as friends and fellow school alumni who have since graduation went and done bigger and better things. But it is then when I look at my boys, hear their little voices, and feel their little hands in mine, that I know I too have went and done bigger and better things since those younger years as well.

I just got done reading a wonderful book, which just so happens to be by one of my favorite people, who have helped me remember why I chose to stay at home with my kids. It also has helped me not feel because I have chosen to stay at home and raise my kids, that I'm below those who have degrees and jobs outside the home. I have always been happy that I am blessed enough to stay at home, but I've never been this proud to say just what I do. I'm a wife and mom. I raise my kids, take care of my loving husband, and make our house a home. Is always wonderful? No. Is it hard? Yes. Are there days which feel mundane? You bet. Do I love staying at home? Yes. Do I feel I'm making a good decision for my kids and family by being home all the time? Yes. Would I trade this in for New York City and a fat cat named Albert? Heck.no. Besides I already have a fat cat, but he's name isn't Albert.

Am I just a stay at home mom? No, I don't see myself that way anymore. What I do on a daily basis is just as important as a doctor is to a dying patient. I have a hard job. I have a rewarding job. I'm raising two little people to become healthy, happy, and well rounded adults someday. It is up to me if they turn our or not! 

It is the most important job. And as Dr. Laura says, " I AM my kid's mom!"

This is an original Ohio Moms Blog post.

Randi also blogs at My Moments As Told By Me