Working Mommy v. Stay-at-Home mommy!

Okay, enough is enough! Time to get blogging again! The other day Jason and I were arguing and racking our brains as to what we did for Riley's 2nd birthday. So what did we do to bring about a solution to our annoying bickering? Checked the blog, of course! Oh, we figured it all out, and we have had many occasions like that, where we couldn't quite remember something, but then went and checked back on the blog as to what went on. What a great tool it is!

I love blogging, but for whatever reason, I have been much more busy since I've quit my job and started staying home with the girls. Not at all what I expected! I thought I would have tons of extra time, regardless of having another baby. Perhaps it was because when I was working I didn't put so much pressure on myself to have a perfectly clean house. After all, my job now is to do the cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, bill paying, laundry, and the list goes on...

Well, let me tell you, being a stay-at-home mom is tough! But what's the hardest thing I'm finding? Not to feel guilty about taking a couple hours and just being silly with my girls! When I was working I never once felt guilty about a messy house, of course, except when company was coming. But then my husband and I whipped it together the night before and that was that!

Oh, did I mention laundry in the above list of chores?

A new study by researchers at Columbia University find that babies raised by working mothers don't necessarily suffer cognitive setbacks. Duh!

I always found it interesting when I was working and would meet different mommies at the park. Right away the topic would come up, "Do you work?" I was very surprised at how that question could so easily extinguish any chance of a friendship, depending on if she was a working mom or stay-at-home mom. When I would answer this question, I would know right away, without even asking, if this mom was a working mom or not.

What is my point to this post? To appreciate all aspects of motherhood! There are ups, and there are downs, to both sides of the spectrum.

When I was working I remember being out on a job and seeing a mom and a little girl out and about. It would sometimes make me cry and miss Miss Riley so much. When I went to pick her up from childcare, I would just be dying to wrap my arms around her, tell her how much I loved her, and take her to do something fun, regardless of how tired I was or how messy my house was!

Now as a stay-at-home mom I sometimes have to remind myself how fortunate I am to be able to spend all of my time with my daughters! I constantly find myself asking myself, "Did I tell Riley I loved her today, did I give my girls kisses, give them encouraging words, make them feel worthy?" Sometimes the answer isn't always what I'd like.

So the point of this post? Working moms and stay-at-home moms are all the same! We all love our children and want the best for them. As a working mom I so appreciated "every single moment" with Riley. As a stay-at-home mom I feel fortunate to spend this time with Riley and Reagan but know it comes at great costs.... literally.

We all do the best we can do, but as long as we give our children our hearts, encouragement, strength, and love, they will be just fine... probably better than us blubbering moms, right?