When KT was tiny, she was taken care of by my parents…well mostly my dad…(the same one that swore that he wouldn’t be taking care of any brats when he first learned that we were expecting!). After Mimi came along, Dad decided that he just couldn’t handle two of them and told us we needed to find someone else to care for our children.
I understood the reasoning, but I was still heartbroken. The thought of someone else…some stranger…taking care of our children was appalling. I just knew that nobody else could nurture our babies as well as family could. It turned out that we did find a wonderful day care provider. The girls were well cared for and were thriving.
Still…little things bugged me. We always said “owie” they learned to say “boo boo” in daycare. I wanted to be called “mama”. Daycare’s influence started them calling me “mommy”. And mostly…I missed them. My sweet angels were being raised by another woman.
When we were able, I became a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom). We were finally able to raise our girls the way we wanted them to be raised. I was content being very active in the school, in the PTA and in Girl Scouts. Still in the back of my mind, I always thought that I would go back and get a “real” job after the girls were old enough to be independent and no longer needed me.
Little did I know, kids don’t seem to stop needing a parent at home just because they can take care of themselves. In fact, it seems as though they may need me even more, but in a different way. The moment they come through the front door, they start talking. My girls tell me all about their day. They talk about school, friends, teachers, boys and most importantly, anything that may be troubling them.
This job that I have…this very real job…isn’t exactly what I had planned on doing when I grew up. But honestly, I think it is one of the best things I could ever do. Somehow, (and we’re pretty sure it was some sort of fluke) we’ve managed to raise two beautiful, well adjusted young woman.
We only have a few more very short years before the girls go off to college. These are years to be treasured. So, for as long as they need me to be home for them…I will be…
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Bit O Life
Mimi’s Preschool graduation photo. Wasn’t she adorable?
Congratulations on being the Mom you needed to be. I think if its at all possible Moms need to be home for their kids. I’m so thankful I was able to do that for my boys. I never regretted a minute of it.
Raising kids is a tough job.
I love this story, you’re amazing, Susan =)
Great post! Cute picture!
Susan, that’s so true! I can feel the time slipping away from me, and Claire isn’t even 2-yrs old yet. I can’t imagine how quickly it will fly when she’s a teenager! Mimi is such a cutie!!
Being a mom is a really hard job. Of course, being MY mom was probably the hardest job EVER. LOL
A friend of mine said the same kind of thing. She felt that it was when her kids were teenagers that she really needed to be home and be there for the kids.
This post sounded so happy and content. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I regret having worked while my kids were …kids
Aw! I totally get you on the owie / booboo thing. Things like that are surprisingly personal, huh?
I want my kids (one day) to call me mama too. I wonder why…
So true and well said. I’m so jealous, I wish I could be a SAHM, too!!
SAHM is a full time job, for sure. My mom was/is awesome at it (yes, still IS…lol). From all the stories you share, it is obvious that you are an awesome SAHM, too! You’re gals are lucky!
Mimi is adorable!
What a great picture of Mimi! This was a beautiful post! I always used to think that I’d never want to be a SAHM, but the older I get (without kids of my own), the more I think I’d love to be able to do that for my children whenever I do have them.
She’s beautiful! I envy the red hair.
You go girl! You’ve done a great job!
Beautiful entry. You’ve reminded me why I am always saddened that time moves so quickly and only in one direction: forward. Sometimes, I wish I could slow it down or stop it for a bit, if only to drink in the goodness of our kids before they’re gone for good.
Happy sigh…
are you still a SAHM when you work from home and go to school from home? Thats what I do. I hope to continue to work from home to.
I like your story .. i can’t stand the thought of someone else taking care of my kids..it scares me
You do have one of the most important jobs in the world. I am thankful my mom was a SAHM for most of my school years.
Mimi is a cutie. And, that pretty red hair!
It’s a dang shame the government doesn’t pay SAHMs. Because I truly believe they have the hardest job of them all. You’re on call 24/7 with no benefits or sick time. You’ve done a great job, girl.
Being a mom is the best and hardest job I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. And I totally agree with you…the older they get…the needs change but I feel like Kyrin needs me even MORE these days as well. Gotta love that. I wouldn’t trade it either.
You hit the nail right on the head when you wrote that they need you more, just in different ways. Mine are 6, 4 and almost 2; these “starter” years have been insane, but sweeter than any time in my life. And while diapers and binkies and naptimes fade away, the need for the security of MOMMY never does. I’m a SAHM, and while I’m always tired, I’m also always sure that my children spend their days with someone who loves them.
Beautiful girl! Sounds like a blessed family!
Being a SAHM is one of the most noble careers. And judging from watching my friend’s kids in their teenage years they need her more than ever. And like you the most important part is their willingness to talk about everything. And they let her know what is bothering them. And that, is so incredibly important there are no words to express how special what you are doing is.
muchos hijos
The consensus is that they need you more as they grow to depend on you less and I agree fully. That’s whether the kidlet is aware of it or not. Possibly more so when they think not.
Boy does this post resonate with me! Your choices sound almost exactly like mine. I feel so blessed to be able to stay home with my kids – even if they’re old enough to be home alone. I enjoy making them muffins or cookies and hot tea on the cold days and taking them on an impromptu outing to the ice cream place when it’s hot. I’m trying to squeeze as much out of life with them as I possibly can before they go off to college and I find myself near desparation sometimes when I think about how close that really is.
Beautiful picture of the fiery redhead!
)
*rolling eyes* I meant “feisty” redhead!!
She’s quite a little princess.
I love her fiery tresses.
My mom was a redhead too.
I got dirty blonde
Much bloglove,
Frances
I have often wondered these same things…should I keep my certification up to date just in case. I know these days are numbered…I just wish I knew the number.
But, yes, adorable little princess….
I love this post, and the photo! And it’s so true, they never stop needing you, they never run out of things to say, and it’s a job that never gets old.
I wanna be a mum too awww…:)
VERY cute pic!
Keshi.
I was always under the impression that I would go back to work when the kids were teenagers. How wrong I was. When wendy went through her teenage years she needed me worse than when she was a toddler!
My grandkids are in daycare and my big dilema lately is whether I should babysit them or not. I dont want them in daycare but Im not sure if I have what it takes to watch them all day and still raise Tink and Peter.
excellent post!!!! you are so right…enjoy it, every little moment! i do agree that you are needed when they are teens jsst as much, but in a very different way, as when they are young.
You have done a amazing job raising the imps – and even if you had worked all of the time, you would still have done a wonderful job. I am just amazed that meggie dosen’t have lots of scars from being a such a brat at times. and the other one too. It is really hard raising 3 kids. Ha ha love ya mom