Being A SAHM

Laying by the pool sipping a margarita, reading books in front of an open window, spending the day at the spa or hair salon with the girls- this is what TV may have you believing is what being a stay at home mom is like, but I am here to tell you that is not the case. In fact, this isn't even a close representation of what my life has become since choosing to live as a stay at home mother. I thought life in the busy, high-volume retail world was exhausting, but boy was I ever wrong! Working would feel like a vacation now.

Since becoming a stay at home mother, my life has been one crazy moment after another. I haven't seen a pool in over a year, I couldn't tell you the last time I picked up a book, and getting my hair done took roughly a year to schedule because I had to balance everyone else's schedules first. I no longer get to show off my prized collection of expensive, designer heels. I live in sneakers or slip-ons. My clothes went from designers and high fashion to tee shirts and yoga pants - all of which are covered in either poop, puke, pee, or some household cleaner.

I used to long for a day off where I would be able to relax in bed until 8:00 am, get up slowly, and veg out in front of the TV with a hot, steaming cup of coffee. If I make it until 6:30 am now, I get excited. It usually takes me several hours to finish one cup of coffee, which by that time, is ice cold. My day is filled with phrases I never thought would become part of my standard speech. Phrases such as, "Don't choke your sister.", "Why are you naked?", "The toilet is NOT a toy car wash!".

My life went from being able to clean up the house in the evenings - or for a few hours on my days off - to barely being able to keep up with it. It's unbelievable how much damage children can do to a house when they have more time at home. I feel like I have a broom permanently glued to my hand. After bed time, I find myself picking up mass quantities of toys from every inch of every room in the house. If I'm lucky, I manage to find enough time to shower about once every three days. And peeing? Well, that's now a luxury - especially if I want to do it alone. I find toys in my bed, I am constantly stepping on Legos, and I can't figure out how mud managed to get in some of the places that I find it these days. My $300-$500 designer handbag has now turned into a $50 diaper bag filled with spit rags, balled-up dirty diapers, and toys.

Since leaving my full-time career to become a full-time mom, my days have gotten even crazier. They start at 6:00 am and end around midnight - if I'm lucky. My body aches from not sitting all day, I'm dropping weight due to not having a legally scheduled lunch break, and the level of exhaustion that I hit on a daily basis makes a 12 hour work day feel like a walk in the park. I'm always covered in stains, I can't figure out what that smell is half the time, and I haven't seen a tube of lipstick since handing in my store keys. But, you know what? I wouldn't trade all the jobs in the world for being a stay at home mom. It is by far the most fulfilling albeit exhausting job I've ever had the pleasure of doing - even if it is only paid in hugs.