Being a stay at home parent is an amazing opportunity.  I am thankful to be able to do so.  I look at some of my working mom friends and I can’t imagine how they keep it all together, all the work of keeping a house and caring for kids with a full time job on top.  It makes me tired just thinking about it.  Working parents absolutely amaze me!  If you don’t have kids, you might think staying home is all fun and no work.  I mean, I get to stay home and play with my kids.  Play all day!  I’m not going to get into all the work type stuff that I do, but instead attempt to explain why stay at home moms sometimes have the crazy look about them.  Here is a run down of my day so far.

8am  From my four year old, “Mommy, I have to poop.” 

            “Okay, well go ahead, the bathroom is free.”

            “I just wanted you to know.”

8:15 “Mommy, can I have eggs for breakfast?”

            “Sure thing”

            After eggs are finished and plated.

            “You know, maybe I want Cheerios”

8:40 My two year old, “Milk!  Milk please!”

            “Here you go little guy here’s your milk cup.”

            Takes the cup throws it and cries

            “Okay, I’ll put the milk away until you’re ready for it and want to be nice.”

            Screaming, “MILK!”

            Repeat.

9:30 My daughter, “Mommy, mommy, mommy. mommy……”

            “Yes honey?  Yes?  What do you need?  WHAT?”

            “I love you!”

10:45  “Let’s play fairies!”

            “Okay, can I be the blue one?”

            “Yeah!”  In her cutest fairy voice, “Hi blue fairy, I’m going on a walk!”

            Mommy as blue fairy responds, “That sounds like fun, can I come.”

            “No! She doesn’t say that mommy, she says, ‘I want to go swing.’”

            Mommy tries to do as instructed.

            “Oh, just let me talk for her Mommy, you just hold her and make her move.”

12:00 Lunch

            “Mommy, can I have more?”

            “More what sweetheart?”

            “More strawberries.”

            “You still have a plate full of strawberries.”

            “Oh.”

1:00 Nap time.  Wonderful nap time.

            “Mommy, I have to go potty.”

            “Okay, the bathroom is empty.”

            “I want you to watch.”

            “Mommy I can’t find my bear!”

            “He’s right there next to your hand.”

            “Oh.”

            “Mommy, can you cover me?”

            “Sure thing chicken-wing.”

            Kisses and hugs distributed all around.

            “Sweet dreams!”

1:05    “Mommy!  I forgot to kiss you!”

            Kisses

            “Mommy, I can’t sleep.  I miss you too much.”

1:30    Silence. 

By the end of the day, I can be found twitching in the corner.  With all the lights off, enjoying the silence.  I kid, I kid.  An hour later I am exhausted and check on the kids only to find them looking so peaceful and sweet.   When you find a friend who has that twitchy eye about them, don’t be ashamed to give them a random hug.  Bring them flowers, better yet caffeine.  If you are a parent yourself remind them that they’ve had those days too and that they aren’t alone.   You are the lucky spouse to a stay at home parent, remember that patience is the key.  Also keep in mind that a normal adult conversation can go a long way in maintaining a healthy level of sanity. 

-Stephanie Wright