A day in the life

Too many times I’ve been approached about the fact that I am a stay an home mom (SAHM). I’ve been criticized for this choice and “praised”, in quotations because the praises are usually snide or insincere.

These are examples of things I’ve heard and yes I’ve been told every one at least once. So let me give a little example of what my daily life usually consists of. Before COVID-19, I was up between 5:00 and 6:30 every weekday morning to get my oldest son ready for school, this was also before he started online school in which not only was I keeping 3 toddlers busy but helping him with school work. He left for the bus at 7:10 then the real fun began. My younger two usually woke up around 7 and it was diaper changes and getting breakfast made for them. Then after they ate I cleaned up the kitchen which usually included dishes from dinner the night before as well as breakfast. Until lunch I’m occupied with entertaining two toddlers. Back in January that number went to three as I started keeping a friend’s son. Lunchtime rolls around and it’s back in the kitchen for me to prep food for the littles. After lunch we do quiet time. This usually allows me a chance to shower and get myself ready finally at like 2 in the afternoon as well as work on my own school work and clean up the house. If we have appointments or errands to run then I’m getting 2 kids ready and myself then running all over town for however long it takes to get things done. After quiet time my oldest is home or about to be home so it’s snacks and diapers again (obviously diapers had already been changed multiple times by this point). Homework help for my oldest while preparing dinner and entertaining two or three toddlers is done from 4 till whenever dinner gets done or my husband gets home and can help which can be anytime between 5pm and midnight (the Army doesn’t have a routine). After dinner and pick up for the little guy I keep now it’s clean up time again and baths then bedtime. I’m lucky to be in bed by 9 and asleep by 10. This usually doesn’t happen but I try.

This is just a regular day and doesn’t include days where we have appointments or errands like I mentioned earlier. It also doesn’t include days where one or all my kids are sick or I’m sick and if my husband is gone for a mission or training then I’m alone in everything for that time.

Other responsibilities I have are making sure groceries are bought and bills are paid. I manage the family budget because it’s easier with my husband’s job unpredictability. I’m also in school like I mentioned earlier. So I’m quite busy on a day to day basis. So no I don’t lay around all day. I’m not “spending” all my spouses money. I have a purpose and it’s taking care of my family. I do plan on going back to work when all my kids are in school full time hence why I’m back in school.

So to all my fellow SAHM keep up the good work and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not doing a good job.