Tuesday, August 26, 2014

This Is Me


Hi there - my name is Ashley and I am a stay at home mom.
Yes, my kids will both be in school full time in September and I will
STILL be a stay at home mom.

With Mr. K starting full day kindergarten this September, I have been asked more times than I can even count when I will start back to work.  Everyone knows that I am a stay at home mom, but for some reason, people can't fathom a parent being at home when their children are not, and assume that my being at home will end when the kids are not here.

I know things have changed, and now it is seemingly more common to have both parents working outside of the home, but that's not what I (we) want.  I have always dreamed of being a mom.  I often had thoughts of being a teacher, or a nurse when I was young - but I knew that when I had kids, I would stop.  For me, even if I had a career, I had no intentions of staying in the workforce.

I grew up with my mom at home.  I came home from school, and she was either at the door or in the kitchen to greet us.  There was almost always a snack on the kitchen table awaiting our arrival.

THAT is what I want for my kids.  I will be the one to get them to school (either on the bus or dropping them off) and I will be the one to pick them up after school.  I don't have to worry about calling in to work if either of them is sick.  I don't have to worry about missing a meeting to get them to a doctor's appointment.

I can be present at pretty much all school functions that happen during day time hours, and I can even volunteer in their classrooms. 

I can get most of the housework, meal prep and laundry done while the kids are at school, so that I can spend the precious few hours that they are home with them.

 Some people wonder what I could possibly do everyday that would keep me from being bored, so here is a list:
  • clean without a 4 yr old "helping"
  • bake without a 4 yr old "helping"
  • meal prep without countless interruptions
  • laundry 
  • groceries (alone)
  • putting away groceries (alone)
  • running errands without a tag along
  • appointments for me without worrying about finding someone to watch the kids
  • volunteering at the school (I hope to be in each of their classes 1 morning or 1 afternoon a week)
  • volunteering my time for something (I have not decided what yet)
In addition to the list above, I am hoping to get the house painted.  I have a lot of prep in the kitchen to do (a border that was put up long before we bought the house, and which I have wanted to take down since we moved in - 10 years ago)

I have lots to do that will keep me busy, as well as working on Tales of Mommyhood (I will now have more time to spend during daytime hours, instead of evenings after the kids have gone to bed).

So - this is me - a woman that is happy to be at home, with or without her boys.  A woman that is happy not to have to rush around in the mornings getting ready for work and kids ready for daycare/school.  A woman that is content to be at home.  A woman who does not miss the traffic on her way to work.  A woman that does not feel she has missed out on or given anything up to fulfill a dream - this is me.


17 comments:

  1. Ashley, I get the same thing from friends and family saying my eleven year old is old enough but I am like you. I know my son appreciates being able to come home after school and not go to daycare after school. He loves coming home to a snack on the table and while he is doing hoemwork I am prepping supper so when my husband comes in its all cooked and ready and that leaves us the evening to do family things... Your list is great BTW so much more gets done when I am alone

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    1. I am so glad I am not alone. The majority (not all, but most) of the SAHM I know all went back to work when their kids started full day school.... originally the plan was for me to find part time work, but that plan has changed over the years

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  2. You are living my dream!!

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  3. I have made it very clear that I am a WAHM so I work from home while staying home. My blog is my business and now that I will be selling Norwex as well things are sure to get busy. Now I will have more time to work and hopefully more time to clean. Tasks should take less time without all the help :P

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    1. even with the blog, I don't consider myself a WAHM (it doesn't provide THAT much for me).... it will definitely get easier without the *help*

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  4. I can totally relate. I was a stay at home mom when I had my son, would not have had it any other way. We don't do daycare, etc.

    We moved from a large city a few years ago, and I am again a stay at home mom. Although my boy is now 16, my hubby and I have a little girl now, so my days are fairly busy with a toddler.... loving my days (as interesting as they can get around here lol), especially outside of the city :)

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  5. There is definitely lots you can do to fill your days, I am sure down the road your boys will appreciate the fact that you were home with them! (Judy Cowan)

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  6. Good for you! One of my favourite memories is walking home from school at lunch time to a hot bowl of Campbell's Vegetable Soup waiting for me in the kitchen with mom listening to CKDA and King of the Road was always playing.

    Once again, good for you and its so good for your kidlets!

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  7. Cheers to you! there is nothing like coming home for lunch and having it ready and seeing a friendly face, like wise after school

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  8. There's always something to do. Enjoy it!

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  9. Haha the never ending list of mommyhood... so.much.truth! :)

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  10. We are told to follow our passions and from here that looks like exactly what you are doing. I think that is wonderful for all involved.

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  11. My mom worked nights so that she could be home with me after school. I have been so blessed to be able to stay home with my kids without having to work nights to afford it. You're doing what's right for your family, and that's what matters most!

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  12. That definitely is the dream! While I don’t want to wish their childhood away, I am certainly looking forward to the day when my 2.5 year old joins her big sister in school. I do work, and my youngest is in daycare 2 days per week, but always with me or daddy otherwise! Enjoy :)

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  13. Oh and thanks for joining our first #GoodFriendsFriday linky party! Next one will be posted shortly.

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    1. :) thanks for hosting - I have linked up again!

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