Soap Box

I'd like to get a few things off my chest today...



I just had a customer pick up an order and tell me about an idea she had for the teachers at her school. She finished her thought by saying, "Well, you probably don't want anymore business. I know you're a Stay at Home Mommy. That's what I'll be in my next life."

Wow.


Really?

Just because I don't go someplace outside of my home to work everyday does not mean that I don't work.  And even if I did stay at home and do nothing else but be a Stay at Home Mom, there is nothing wrong with that. I work three hours in my home office in the morning while my son goes to preschool. I work again for about 2 hours in the afternoon while he naps. (That's 5 hours so far...are you counting?) Then after supper gets cleaned up, my wonderful husband bathes our son and puts him to bed while I work for another 3 or 4 hours. So there's my 8-9 hour day. (Apparently I need proof.) In busy seasons it could be a couple more hours per day. Oh and I often work weekends...as in both Saturday and Sunday for a few hours.

I'm not bragging or complaining. I'm just saying that let's not judge each other. Period. Ever. At all. Every one has different parenting styles....should we judge that? No way.

I get SO tired of hearing the battle between "working mom" and "SAHM mom". Really ladies, is it really a rite of passage or an accomplishment to be able to do one or the other? Are you "neglecting" your child if you are not home with them 24/7? Are you spoiled and lazy because you are home all the time?

I was a SAHM for 2 1/2 years before I started my business. Before that, I was a Corporate Workaholic. I graduated college in three years and immediately went to work when I was 20 years old as the Furniture Buyer for AmSouth Bank (now Regions Bank.) I traveled and worked all the time. For a good while, I was only home 4 days a week. I can't imagine doing that and raising a child at the same time. Serious kudos to Mommas who do that. I also can't imagine being a SAHM for at least 5-6 years and never having a break from the monotony. Kudos to Mommas who do that too. Wow.

After I had my son, I battled with mild PPD. I physically and emotionally couldn't go back to work after I had my son. My decision to be a SAHM was made for me. It took me a very, very long time to adapt to life without a corporate job. I felt like I had lost my identity. With the help of antidepressants, family and friends, I was able to overcome my anxiety and deep rooted sadness. I learned to enjoy being at home with my son and get to know him. We formed a bond...one that we didn't get to form when he was an infant, as most mothers and children do. Most importantly, I had come to accept that being a SAHM was OK! 

I've been on both sides of the spectrum, which is why it infuriates me for mothers to talk about the choices that others have made. Bottom line: NONE-YA. It's none of your business what others choose to do because, more than likely, you don't know the whole story. I do what I do because it's what works for me and my family. And I really don't owe anyone an explanation for it.

I actually had a Working Mom from my child's preschool ask me earlier this year if I worked. I told her yes, that I owned an embroidery business. Her response? "Well, I knew you did that little thing, but...."

News Flash: I run a business. I have a business license from my city. My business is a Limited Liability Company (LLC.) I file and pay monthly State Sales Tax. My office just happens to be in my formal dining room within my house. Why? Because it's free and no one charges me to rent this room.

Let's get this straight. As long as a mother loves her child, takes care of him, and provides for him, then she is a good mother. That may mean that she goes to work everyday, leaves her child with a caring individual and brings home a paycheck. Or that could mean that she stays at home and tries to manage entertaining a small child all day while trying not to lose her sanity because there's been no adult interaction for 10-12 hours straight. I applaud both efforts because regardless of where you physically are each day, you love and care for your child.

Working Mom, SAHM, WAHM....we are all good mothers. Just because you wear the hat of one of those titles does not give you the right to judge someone with a different hat. It's no different than comparing childhood milestones. DO NOT EVER DO THAT. Children grow and learn at different rates. Just because one decides to walk and one decides he likes to keep crawling does not make one child better than the other. We all have our struggles. Let's support each other instead of criticizing one another.

I'm going to leave it at that. Talk amongst yourselves...

30 Blog Challenge: Day 30 (It's OVER!)

What's Been Going on Recently

July has been busy for me! We celebrated with my mom's side of the family for the 4th of July. My husband and I went on a 5 day trip to St. Simon's Island for his work convention, while my mom kept our kiddo. The past few days I've worked, attended a baby shower, and gone to Wal-Mart. Exciting, huh?


Well, this has been fun...some days were far more entertaining than others. Now, you'll get to read more about my random thoughts! LOL! I do have some workout gear I want to post about..stay tuned.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 29

My Wish for the Future

Longterm wish is probably just like anyone else's.....the hope for my family and me to always be happy and healthy.

Short term wish....well, telling that would be like telling a wish before you blow out your birthday candles!! ;-) I will say that whatever happens, I wish that it's what's best for me and my family.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 28

My Favorite Place


I don't actually have a favorite location, but I always want to be near my extended family and with my husband and son.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 27

What I'm Reading Now

I'm reading Hush by Kate White right now. I actually just started it but so far, so good. I'm reading it from my ipod as a checked out e-book from the library....techy stuff is fun for me, remember?!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 26

My Favorite Memory

I'm going to be short, sweet, and obvious with this one...

My favorite memories are my wedding and when my son was born. 

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 25

Three good things that have happened in the past 3 months

1. I turned 30!
2. I went to the beach on three separate occasions.
3. I had my hair cut for the first time in a year! 
 

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 24

A photo of something that means a lot to me

Obviously, my wedding rings mean a lot to me, but they are also extra special for a couple of reasons.

 

My engagement ring center stone was in the ring my dad gave to my mom when he proposed to her. When she got a new engagement ring, my dad told me the original diamond was mine if I ever wanted the stone. Little did I know, he had also told my then boyfriend that also. After 7 years of dating, my boyfriend took him up on the offer, had the stone remade into an engagement ring for me, and totally surprised me with the result! It was so special to me that he would incorporate my mom's diamond into my own ring.

After we were engaged and looking for wedding rings, I came upon a ring one day that I knew was the one. It had 7 small diamonds (one for every year that we had dated) and looked like it was made to match my engagement ring! I remember the jeweler letting me take it out on loan one day to see if I really liked it. And I did. I spent my entire tax return that year on my wedding ring, but I've never regretted it for one second! 

I, of course, cherish my rings not just because they hold diamonds. It took my husband and I a long time to get to where we are today and every time I look at my rings, I'm reminded of what all we've been through and how thankful I am to have him in my life.

 

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 23

My Celebrity Crush:

Coach Eric Taylor (aka Kyle Chandler)

30 Day Blog Challenge-Day 22

Something I never leave the house without:

Obviously, I always have my purse, but besides that I never leave the house without my phone!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 21

My favorite TV show

 

Designing Women

I loved this show long before I ever lived in Atlanta or worked in the Interior Design field. I miss it...no reruns on tv! Maybe I should look into getting a box set?!