Disclaimer :: I support each and every type of mom out there {working or staying at home} who is reading this post from me today. I am writing this from my perspective and being true to myself and my parenting style. This post is not meant in any way, shape, or form to offend any fellow mommies out there!! I’m writing from the heart and appreciate your comments! Thank you!
I love my job. When I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of being a teacher. I played ‘school’ with my stuffed animals, I gave detention to my sister, I gave homework to my dad…I did it all. Then, when I ‘grew up’ and finished college, I landed my dream job – teaching English Language Arts at the high school level. I put in long hours as a new teacher. I came in extra early to get my lesson perfected for the day, and I stayed super late to grade papers and make sure my classroom was ready for the next day. I easily worked 11+ hour days and didn’t even blink! This was also before becoming a mommy.
I worked hard in the classroom and always knew that I wanted to be part of a campus leadership team. Little did I know that that opportunity would come much sooner than I anticipated!!!
I found out I was going to be an administrator on a new campus when my son was five months old. I wasn’t even planning on becoming a school leader until I was finished with my Master’s Degree and my son was a little bit older! But here I was, looking an amazing opportunity in the face… I knew that if I accepted the position, it would be difficult to juggle being a new mom, a full-time student getting my Master’s Degree, and being a wife. I knew if I didn’t accept the position, I might regret it and didn’t know if the opportunity would present itself again. I did much praying, thinking, and talking to my friends, family, and husband about how my decision on whether or not to work as a school leader would affect my family. We knew that it would be hard, but the rewards in the end would be worth it – so I accepted the job, and I haven’t looked back since!
Is it hard working long days – leaving the house when it is dark outside in the morning and coming back home when it is dark again? Yes, very. I still am trying to figure it out and balance it all. I love my job, but there are many times when I sit back and wonder if it is all worth it. Worth coming home late, rushing to do homework, looking lovingly at the pictures of his sweet face in the frames on my desk, trying to squeeze in every moment with my little family any opportunity that I can. It’s SO SO SO hard. As I write this all out now, I’m even wondering why I do it at all. But I can tell you why…I want my son to be proud of me. I want him to see that his mommy has worked very hard to achieve her dreams, and I want him to be able to do the same. There are days where I long to be at home with him, but I know in the long-run I would not be happy with that decision. I always knew that being a stay-at-home mom was not for me. I have always loved to work and knew that I would find the best child care service out there to take care of my son. But it doesn’t make it any easier.
Working moms – how do YOU balance it all?
I think the key to “balancing it all” is knowing in your heart that it’s OKAY if you don’t actually balance it ALL. Sometimes things are on the back burner…you still stir them occasionally, but they don’t require all of your attention all the time. That’s okay, because those things always still turn out yummy.
I thrive on lists and calendars. My favorite new thing to keep track of fall the things I have to do is an app on my phone, computer, and tablet called Wunderlist. It’s free. For me, it functions as a calendar and a to-do list in one, and reminds me when the things I want to get done should be getting done. I can either do them and mark completed, or hit the snooze button for a while, knowing that the world will go on if I don’t fold the laundry right that minute (or day, ha!). I put mundane daily chores on there (like making the bed) as well as time for my hobbies and appointments and dates with friends, etc. It helps me keep the balance so I don’t spend all day cleaning or sewing or sitting around. I can get time in daily for each of those things. So even if I’m not turning out a whole quilt in one day, I’m still stirring that pot just a little bit.
Awesome post Michelle. I can certainly relate. As I’m reading this I’m at work (don’t tell on me for reading this blog at work) and am missing my little guy terribly. I’m only 5 months in, but am just learning to take it one day at a time and make adjustments as we go. I’m also learning not to commit to much on the weekends and evenings so I can spend that time reconecting at home.
Michelle, I can totally relate to this all too well, but you know that. You are a strong mama with such a big heart. You are doing the best you can and you are giving baby A a lot to be proud of.
Michelle! Sarah here- I’m with you sista! I never ever (and still don’t) imagined myself as a stay at home Mom. It’s just not me, and I just don’t think I’d be fulfilled by it. I know that the successes I obtain in my career in turn make me a better wife and a better Mom. It becomes so hard to squeeze EVERYTHING in though, and your time with your little ones feels so limited sometimes- but doing the best you can for every aspect of what makes you…you….that’s being the best Mom you can! Keep on keeping on making us proud!
I have to agree with Meg. You have such a big heart and Baby A is so very blessed! I don’t have any answers on balancing it all as I am staying home right now. I bet it makes you love so much harder though. I love my babies more even just returning from a solo grocery store trip!
Michelle, I just love this post! It’s not easy at all being a working mom. Most days, I just remind myself that my hard working is putting a roof over my baby’s head and diapers on her rear, and that alone is worth it.
Baby A has a wonderful momma and he will most definitely be proud of you!
Great post. Being a stay at home mom myself, I can wholeheartedly say that I would be completely lost without my planner. I write everything in it, and it’s the only thing that keeps me organized and going.
Such a great post, Michelle! As a work from home mom, I thought that would be the answer to all my prayers. Ha!! Now I feel like I am totally slacking in all areas, and no matter how hard I try – I cannot manage to stay on top of it all. Dishes are never done. Clothes are never folded and put away. But that’s okay. My kiddos still love me the same, and I pray that they are seeing my dedication to my job and learning from that even at such a young age. I know that sweet Baby Apple is doing the same!!! Cheers to you, mama!
It’s hard working outside of the home, it’s hard to leave our little ones behind even when it’s with people we LOVE. It’s even harder to drop them off at a child care center when they are just babies. I wounder have you ever considered an au pair to help you with the things around the house and with your child care needs?