August 30, 2011

On Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

There was a saying I read in the faculty room bathroom of the old elementary school I taught at. It said, "If you want to get your child's attention, sit down and look comfortable."
I understand that saying firsthand now as I have a child of my own. 
Being a stay-at-home mom isn't glamorous. Sometimes it isn't necessarily fun either. Even with just one little baby to take care of, I'm surprised at how much of my time is spent picking her up, running back into the room that I just layed her down in,  consoling her, taking her in and out of her carseat, feeding her (again), wiping up her drool, cleaning off her spit-up, and holding her binki in her mouth.
Glamorous? No.
Important? Undoubtedly.
BJ knew long before he married me that being a stay-at-home mom was the one soapbox I would stand on til the day I die. I will never change the way I feel about how important it is for me to be at home with my children.
Ellie grabbed her toes today. I've been waiting for weeks for her to do this and I am so happy I was there the moment she did it so I could congratulate her, tell her good job and of how proud I am to be her mama. 
Yesterday brought the responsibility of paying hospital bills, calling about bank account overdrafts, denied credit cards, and revoked car titles. It included piles of laundry, washing the bed sheets, and sweeping the kitchen floor. It maneuvered a lonely baby on one hip while opening a hot oven with another arm to prepare a very mediocre dinner. I held baby during and in between phone calls, rocked her vibrating chair with one foot while I filled out checks and mailed them, and tried to take advantage of a baby's nap in order to steal a quick shower- only to be joined in the shower by said baby who had quickly realized my absence. 
When you're a mom, the length of any given task is easily doubled or tripled when a baby is around, because babies need attention and love. Actually, they need your attention and love...
And that is why I will be there.
I, like Julie B. Beck believe, "Home is where women have the most power and influence... Women should understand that no matter how many other people they enlist to help them with their home and children, they cannot delegate their role as the primary nurturer and teacher of their families." I agree with Ezra Taft Benson who said that, "children- not possessions, not position, not prestige- are our greatest jewels."
I am proud to be a stay-at-home mom. I have prepared my entire life for motherhood,
 whether glamorous, or not.

7 comments:

  1. I love you. I can't wait to see you. I'm glad you love this one. You're a woman after my own heart. xoxo

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  2. I just love your blog and how you respect and love motherhood, it really is beautiful. I wish my classmates could grasp this, they all think I'm crazy for wanting to be a stay at home mom and you explain it beautifully!

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  3. Your blog is gorgeous as ever. I always wish I was you while reading it. -Em

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  4. Thanks for that perspective. Sometimes I feel like after being a mom for so many years I get so caught up in how crazy my life is with all my kids that i forget how badly i wanted all of this - to be a stay at home mom. They are going to be all grown up before we know it and then we are going to miss going in over and over to help them stay asleep, or them climbing into bed with us( which brinley still does on a regular basis!) hope you guys are doing great in cali!
    Love- Kira

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  5. love this post! glad we could waste a whole day together! hahaha! i love talking to you about being a mother. you're so kind and sweet, you make me want to be a mom. a stay at home mom that is!

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  6. oh goodness Ell, i thought i was reading my own words there for a second. when kimball and i were dating and considering marriage that was one of the first things i established. that i WOULD be home with my children. i have never regretted it! it is such a joy. good luck in cali! i adore megan ham, she was in my ward for awhile! I bet you guys get along wonderfully :)

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