I’ve finally realized that I can’t really call myself a stay-at-home mom anymore.
Yes, instead of checking into and office from 9-5, I spend my days at home and out-and-about exploring the world with Nora…
But, between my design business, teaching tiny tumblers, and providing occasional lactation support, I have been working at least 30 hours per week for the past couple months. Which means I can’t really call myself a SAHM anymore; now I am squarely back in the working mom category, although I have figured out how to do it from home, mostly on my own terms. I am no longer in denial: I am a work-at-home mom.
Working most certainly has its challenging moments — especially with respect to balance and sleep (non-)deprivation. I’ll admit, this is not at all what I imagined life would be like when we moved out here, and yet I am pretty pleased with how it has turned out. Every day I am thankful that this work exists. I am supplementing Chris’ income. We are paying off debt and beginning to save for a house, and we are able to do this in a way that allows me to still participate in every moment of Nora’s life from major milestones to simple walks with her babies.
Just as I try to provide an example of positive parenting though our interactions, I hope that I am also providing Nora with a healthy view of work and family balance, of marriage as a partnership instead of “every man for himself,” and of creativity and ingenuity in helping to support our family while still putting my role as a mother before all else.
Even sleep. Sleep will happen in about 16 years.
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