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Motherhood Personal

Thoughts on being “just” a mom

I never imagined that I would be a ‘stay at home’ mom. I don’t even really like that term. I feel very lucky to be with my kids all the time, but I just didn’t imagine that that’s what I would be doing. It is such a different kind of work than traditional jobs and sometimes I feel like I get defensive about what I do. I just feel like our society doesn’t really acknowledge all the work it takes to raise children, and that’s a bummer.” — Ari Serrano Embree via Mother Mag 

I couldn’t agree more with this statement, especially about the part of society not acknowledging the work it takes to raise children. My path to being “just” a mom happened as life often does, unplanned and kind of out of the blue. After my company suddenly shut its offices, I found myself six months pregnant and out of a job. Whatever “plan” I had had in mind, was safely out the window and with few options, I decided to embrace my impending mom role. And that’s still where I find myself today, as “mom” or more precisely, as pop culture dictates “stay-at-home mom.”

Being a “stay-at-home” mom really is amazing. To be able to watch this little life grow, day by day and watch every milestone — from the mundane to the magical — has been such an incredible blessing.  But as with anything, it’s not without its challenges. I’ve said to people that the mom thing I love but the other stuff — the whole maintaining and running a household while also mothering a young child — is tough to say the least. And there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my current path and if/when I should change it. I’m the only one from my group of girlfriends to stay home with my daughter so I wrestle with thoughts of inadequacy and compare myself to my friends/family. Am I setting a bad example for my daughter because I’m “just” staying home with her and “not working” I wonder? (And yes I’m using quotes because I know firsthand how challenging this role is.)

Why do I constantly feel the need to apologize for my role? And defend it?  It’s ironic isn’t it, for women we’re truly damned if we do, damned if we don’t. Moms who go back to work sooner are often criticized for “leaving their babies” while moms who stay home with their kids are criticized for taking the “easy road.” We truly can’t win. In reality, every family’s situation calls for a different solution. What works for some, doesn’t work for others. But perceptions (and opinions) remain. Yet I struggled with my own perception of a role that I had waited my whole life to play.

Stay-at-home moms all know how beautiful, exhausting, frustrating, amazing, silly, and outrageous being at home can be, but how is this getting lost in the greater societal picture? I know I’m not the only one who has tremendous respect for stay-at-home moms, knowing personally what the role requires. But I also know I felt insecure and ashamed at times, and that’s not right. I know that as more time passed, I started to panic over whether I would be able to find work again when I was ready. I also know there are many people out there who still don’t believe staying at home demands much other than a physical presence. — Shayna Gehl

Like the author above, I too have felt that insecurity and the anxiety about finding a role when/if I would be ready.  I’ve been freelancing since my daughter was a couple months old, but since I wasn’t in a 9-5 job I worried if employers would judge me for the time I spent raising my daughter? Would they hold that against me? As time went on (and finances started to get pinched) I slowly started to look for work, but these thoughts were constantly on my mind. Along the way, I’ve had people make comments to me along the lines of “Oh, so your husband works and you get to be on vacation.” WTF am I right?! Or the remarks about how they wish they could “just” stay home with a baby and not have to “work.”

Needless to say, these comments always got under my skin and really proved to me that the stereotypes of what some may view being a stay-at-home mom is, cannot be further from reality. Raising children is no easy task and so important on so many levels and I think respecting and giving credit to the role these women play in society is pivotal in changing the societal picture of stay-at-home moms.

I wish someone had told me, back in the days when I was home all day with a newborn, not to worry so much about what everyone else is doing. I was afraid to miss out on a career. But there’s always time to start something new, and sometimes all it takes to completely change your life is to write an e-mail. — Kate Lao Shaffner via Design Mom

Ultimately, I came to the realization that being “just” a mom is a beautiful thing and I couldn’t be prouder that I’ve been able to be home with my daughter for the past 17 months.  I got to see every moment of my daughter blossoming from a wiggly little newborn who pretty much pooped, slept and ate to a rambunctious toddler who can now walk (rather run!) laugh, play, communicate, etc. The shift has been tremendous to witness.

It certainly wasn’t (and isn’t) easy financially, but I realize that not everyone has the ability to do this and I’m so grateful. It was a sacrifice on my career I suppose (or was it? only time will tell) but I don’t regret it. After all, my daughter will only be this young once and raising good people is arguably the most important work there is. People will always judge and will always have an opinion but I’m no longer apologizing for my role and instead embracing it wholeheartedly. So here’s to ALL the mamas: stay-at-home, working moms, work-from-home, etc., we are all on this journey together and though are paths may be different, ultimately loving and raising our babies is what binds us together.

 

Photo by Anna Ball 

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4 Comments

  • Reply
    Jessica Wagner
    October 28, 2017 at 10:00 am

    Wow. I have been a SAHM for the last 3 1/2 years doing freelance on the side and I can’t believe how true this rings for me! It’s nice to know I am not alone in battling some of these insecurities about our choice!

    • Reply
      Kasia
      October 28, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      Yes you’re definitely not the only one! We are doing the best we can and raising our tiny humans is the most important work there is in my opinion, no second chance at that! 🙂

  • Reply
    Emily Richards
    July 14, 2018 at 10:15 am

    I am also a SAHM & have a slightly different experience. My husband expected me to work. It was a big sore spot in our marriage for quite some time. That’s the example of parenting my husband had growing up; both parents working. I came from a home where my father worked & my mom stayed home.
    From a young age, all I wanted to be was a mother. After high school, there was a period of time that was very confusing for me..I knew what I was called to do, (mother) but society and my family said you do that once you are married and stable. At 18, I was none of those things. It was especially difficult because in the late 90s/early 2000s, when women were pushing to break out of the mold that women only work in the home, I got a lot of grief that i “only” aspired to be a mom.

    I believe I’m incredibly blessed to stay home. We live in an expensive area and have sacrificed a lot being a one income household. But, that pales in comparison to the fleeting time I have with my children. Every day they wake up needing me less and less.
    It’s worth it all; every sacrifice, every tough day, every lonely moment, every disdainful look. I wouldn’t change a thing.

    • Reply
      Kasia
      July 14, 2018 at 1:53 pm

      That’s so wonderful that you’re able to live out your dreams <3 It's definitely tough to not be on the same page as your spouse. My husband was pretty supportive of my choice and ultimately I returned to work when my daughter was about 18 months old. Now with baby two due any minute I'm having to face that same choice once again and a lot sooner this time! For us, living on one income is very, very difficult but at the same time like you said I know that time with young children is so fleeting! I guess I'll have to wait and see how it all pans out! Thanks so much for reading 🙂 🙂

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