Back to reality

Today I, along with many of us, returned to reality. That is, I went back to work (some of you went back to school) after a long holiday break. Personally, I was out of work for 13 straight days, and had loads of quality family time.

I realized something while on my break. Being a full-time SAHM (that's stay-at-home-Mom) is not nearly as easy as I once imagined. I once imagined SAHM meant a clean house, home-cooked dinner every night, and loads of time for undivided attention to the child(ren).

Yes, I've been working from home, but being a working-from-home-Mom I didn't really get a real impression of what being a day-in-day-out stay at home Mom would be like. It was easy to blame challenges of the day on trying to be a worker-Mom/caregiver/house cleaner/cook.

But let me tell you, full-time, 100% Mom ain't easy. Not that I ever thought it was, but here's the essence of what I learned.

It's not about you/me (the Mom). What I could accomplish in a day, the mood of the day, the events of the day were dependent not on me or my plans, but on One Philly Son.

Talk about an "aha!" moment. (Or "duh!". Either works...)

The journey of the SAHM is (somewhat) to manage a world in which you are not in charge. I mean, not really. Sure, you can set the parameters of nap time, meal time, play time, TV or not. But throw one ear infection in there (as we did) and things can get thrown out of whack.

Still, its something that intrigues me. More and more a traditional role of Mom and homemaker (feminists, look away!) appeals to me. I can see the fleetingness of time before the kid(s) go to school. I can understand the desire to be the one to teach colors, numbers, and letters. I can see the joy and happiness of being with  your child(ren) every day, all day. I am drawn to playground and coloring books, to lazy breakfasts spent talking about yellow bananas and green grapes and round bowls.

I also have a greater appreciation and understanding of the frustration that may accompany the career path of SAHM. No, it is not easy. But, oh how rewarding!

During the time I was home on break, One Philly Son seemed to develop in leaps and bounds. We went to the Please Touch Museum not once, but twice and he loved it. He started responding to One Philly Daddy and my verbal communication more and more. One Philly Daddy said "give me your pacifier" and One Philly Son DID. One Philly Daddy said "come here and help put your coat on" and One Philly Son DID! When I mention taking a bath, One Philly Son not only goes upstairs to the bathtub, but also signs "bath." He's also consistently signing "more" and "eat." I think "milk", "drink", and "play" are not far behind.

I have no idea if these developments have anything to do with me being home for a long stretch and being able to focus solely on One Philly Son or if it is a coincidence. I have no idea if he's been doing these things all along and I just finally noticed.

But I am grateful that I was here and present and aware of these things as they happened.