Challenges

My experience as a stay-at-home mom has been a challenge to me on so many levels. Before Micah was born, I was blessed to have three months of "me" time. I didn't have to wake up every morning and go to work only to come home exhausted with swollen feet. I didn't have to stay late to meet any deadlines for clients. I didn't even have to get dressed in the morning if I didn't feel like it. These three months gave me the chance to get back to what I thought was going to be my new life, which would be filled with doing the errands, keeping the house clean, cooking yummy meals and treats, and raising our son. As I've learned in the past three months, that may be my goal for my new life, but it's a goal that comes with a lot of hard work and flexibility. It's also a goal I'm still trying to meet.

Don't get me wrong, I never thought being a stay-at-home mom would be easy. After all, I left a 40-hour a week job to a 24-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week job. Stay-at-home moms don't get vacation; we get small breaks that last anywhere from 5 minutes to however long our babies will sleep through the night. Stay-at-home moms don't get paid with money. Instead, we get spit up, peed, and pooped on; our bodies are put through the ringer physically and mentally; and we learn to prioritize jobs that can be done one-handed while holding an infant. Our bonuses come in smiles, giggles, snuggles, and getting to experience each and every second of our children's lives. Most people know these differences; however, living it is a jolting wake-up call.

I've struggled recently with being a stay-at-home mom. Somewhat due to the reasons I've already listed (although those only scratch the surface), but mostly because I've learned something new about myself and my new life every day since Micah was born. I think this is a blessing, but not an easy one to live with.

I'm learning how to put my life in balance by finding the answers to these questions (and many more I haven't listed). How do I balance being a mom, a wife, and a person? How do I balance meeting Micah's every need and taking time to just play with him? How do I keep up a home that may not be spick and span but livable?

I haven't figured out my new life yet because it changes every day. I think some of the answers are flexibility, love, and prayer. I am so blessed to have a husband who doesn't demand perfection and loves me for me. I am blessed to have a baby boy who opens my eyes to new challenges and excitements every day. I am blessed to have family members who listen to and support me through my worries, challenges, and successes. And I'm blessed to have a network of friends who remind me that being a mom, wife, and person is possible--and fun!

Motherhood is a challenge, but it's also a blessing. Sometimes it's a blessing that I endure, and other times, it's a blessing that I cannot be thankful for enough.