Reasons to be a Stay at Home Mom

.... even if it's just for a short while.



I know, I have given up lots of adult conversation by choosing to be home for a year, which is one of the downsides of staying at home. Well.....come to think of it,  in my job as a third grade teacher I pretty much talked to kids 90% of the time anyway.

So, what is so great about taking a leave of absence this year and being home with my little Huddie? Well, for starters, just look at the little fellow........... who wouldn't want to spend their day with this sweet little thing!

Who can resist this face (no, not mine silly)?

Just a few reasons I have loved being at home:

• No work stress!
• I get to spend my days with my baby.
• I have bonded with my little guy 24/7 for the first year of his life.
• My older children have seen firsthand me putting my career on hold for the family.
• My house is clean.
• The laundry is caught up.
• My older kids get to sleep 2 hours later each morning.
• I get to take my older kids to and from school each day.
• My life doesn't seem as rushed.
• I don't have to iron my clothes daily.
• I can work in my PJ's if I so desire.
• There is no school work to be brought home taking up family time.
• We eat out less (yes, that is a plus).
• I get to bake goodies for the family and actually enjoy it.
• I can visit with friends for a play date.
• I am more apt to enjoy leisure time, such as my kids' sports, because I don't have brain overload of deadlines to meet.
• More dinners on the table for the family
• I get to put Hudson down for his naps in his own bed.
• I was able to breastfeed full time for 8 months and still daily at 10 months.
• sooooooooooo many more!

I understand that staying home is not what works best for everyone and staying home long term may  not be an option, but I would highly encourage everyone to take time off to spend time at home the first year of your baby's life.  Trust me, you will be so glad you did.

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Planned Parenthood? ~www.TheBloggingMom.com~

Yesterday I was at Madison's basketball game just like I have been every weekend for the last umpteen years. Everything is so nice... enjoying the game... winning...all is good. Problem is, lately I can't actually watch the game because Hudson gets so much attention. Everyone that passes by tends to say something.  Of course I don't mind. Most any stay-at-home mom will tell you they  love any adult conversation, so this is a good excuse for some small talk. 

This tends to be how many of the conversations start:

"Oh, he is so cute."
"Thank you."
"How old is he?"
"Six months."
"Is he your first?"
"No, we have two older kids... ages 13 and 11."
"I bet they are a big help!"
"Yes, they are indeed. They love their little brother."

On rare occasion, the conversation will go like this, which is what happened at the game this past Sunday.  It always catches me off guard.

"Oh, he is so cute."
"Thank you."
"How old is he?"
"Six months."
"Is he your first?"
"No, we have two older kids... ages 13 and 11."
"OH MY.... Was he PLANNED?"

Okay, I know that it is initially shocking to hear that we have 11 years between our last two children, but what are you thinking asking me in front of everyone if my child was PLANNED?  Not only that, but this lady's thirteen year old daughter was standing right beside her when she asked.  For a split second, I wanted to ask her right there, "Was she planned?"... I mean GEEEEE.

What are people expecting you to say when they ask that question?  To me, they might as well just get REAL personal and say things like, "Did your birth control fail?".... "What kind of pills were you taking?"..... "Wow, forget to use a condom?"........"Bet that was a fun night!".....

You know, I think the next person that asks me, "Was he PLANNED?"... I am going to respond with...

"Gosh, you see we were having a heated time.. hot, passionate, you know, doing what married couples do, and ...."    then I will just keep going on and on.. make their jaw drop.

Okay, probably not. I will continue to be the nice guy, just laugh it off, smile, and hold that sweet little bundle of love.  I will probably just continue with my response of, "He was planned by the Good Lord... HE always has a plan." That is indeed true.

Lesson to be learned:  Don't ask people that question!

Search Amazon.com for birth control   ha ha!