As a stay-at-home mom I would like to say I admire you. Two of my closest mom friends within the last year became full-time working moms. Before then they were stay-at-home moms that planned to homeschool there kiddos. Then life happened, one of them had to work to provide for necessities because her husband was not making enough financial to support there basic needs. Then she had to work a second job because of her husband having a sudden disability not allowing him to work. My other mom friend was staying at home and her husband chose to leave her and left her with nothing and her being the fighter she is she didn't want to have to depend on him and went to work and put her kiddos in school. You see these full-time working mothers make time to cook, clean, do laundry, maintain their homes/yards while first and foremost giving their kids quality time. They are always striving to be a better mom and meet the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of their children. I imagine what your day and week is like, I think well, they get up earlier than everyone else to make sure to get ready for the day, maybe read their bible, pray, workout, shower, put on makeup, throw on something presentable or maybe they go all out! They think of all that needs to be done just for that day and the schedule is full, and most of the time this thought is a continuation of the night before. In the middle of that thought they prep breakfast for themselves and prep any snacks the kids will need for the day, or place money in their bags for lunch, and kiss their kids on the head as they sleep..or maybe some wake them up and make sure they wash their face and brush their teeth, eat a good amount of their breakfast, get dressed and are sure to all leave the door in time. You have sibling fights, grumpy kids and other times just conversations of dreams the night before or other conversations. After dropping kids off at school there is traffic and you with your thoughts of financial stresses or family dramas/problems. You continue to plan your day out or jam out to your favorite song to get your mind off of everything for a second, or are praying asking for help or understanding or giving thanks. Once at work you have your responsibilities and tasks to get done at work, there is problem solving, maybe drama, maybe stressful situations on top of that the days/weeks/months of stressful personal situations. Important life altering decisions. Family sickness. All thoughts that come in an out as you work. Maybe sometimes your work is so high demand you have no time to really think on problems outside of work. Then there is good moments at work, times of fun, and enjoyment that take the load off. Then when its time to leave work you have to get ready because today is little Johnny's soccer practice, or Suzy's ballet, or you have to get home to do laundry because its falling behind and your kids need clean clothes. You have heart to hearts with your kids about school, their dad, there friends, and how they feel. You make time to do a special activity with your kids individually or even as a whole. These are all just a scratch of the surface. I think of my two friends and all they do everyday and how they strive to meet their kiddos needs, their own, and their financial needs, and I can relate. Being a stay-at-home mom is not less then being a full-time working mom. And being a full-time working mom is not less then being a stay-at-home mom. We are all trying to do whats best for our families. I admire your valor and courage to meet everyone of your needs and I could never know the circumstance or situation because I am not you. But Just know that I admire you for making time for your kids as much as you can, for busting your tails off to help your husbands because they cant find work or because he doesn't make enough money for your family needs, or the single moms who don't want to depend on their ex-husband who is unreliable financially or the ex who is verbally abusive for you receiving part of his income, or an ex who is not present in any way and doesn't pay child support. No matter the circumstance, I will not judge you because I know you are striving to be better and provide and you are working hard outside of the workplace to be sure your kids needs are being met. Just know from at least one stay-at-home/homeschooling mom...I respect and admire you. I will not criticize or condemn you because you are doing the best you can just like the rest of us.
Love always,
Stay-at-home Mom
