If you've noticed I've been a bit MIA lately, I have a couple good reasons. The biggest and most exciting is the impending arrival of a baby girl to our family at the end of January. While it's thrilling to think of a new little baby coming into our lives, the first trimester felt like an invasion of the body snatchers with crying jags, laughing spurts, nausea all day long, and the ever-present desire to take a nap. It's been such a relief to recognize myself again with the beginning of the second trimester a couple weeks ago. Many thanks to good friends checking in, our awesome babysitter, and the lovely Yiayia who frequently took my kids so I could take some rest.
The second reason for my MIA status is that, having searched for several months, I feel incredibly blessed to have found my dream job and will be returning to full-time employment in just a couple weeks. Before becoming pregnant with my third child, I realized I was ready to work outside the home again, and writing posts and articles got replaced with revising resumes and writing cover letters.
Notice I wrote "full-time employment" and "work outside the home," and not "going back to work." My time as a stay-at-home-mom has been work in the fullest sense of the word, and to write about outside paid employment as the only legitimate form of work would be highly offensive to fellow SAHMs and completely incorrect. Being a SAHM the past four and a half years has been the most rewarding work I've ever done, but also the most challenging. I admire anyone who does it and does it well, including stay-at-home-dads and other full-time caregivers. Staying home with young children is a job that is relentless on your time, energy, and emotions.
Frankly, I'm looking forward to weekdays of adult interactions and conversations. I know I'll be tired when I get home, but I expect I'll also be recharged and ready to give my children my full attention. I'm also confident of the loving environment of caregivers, preschool teachers and friends, and family we've arranged. As I've written before, I heartily believe that, as long as a child has a secure family base, getting to experience care and affection from a variety of loving caregivers is healthy and worthwhile.
My children are developing independence, resilience, a strong sense of community, and enjoying the invaluable benefit of observing how others handle life's good and bad moments.
And speaking of good and bad moments, I know that the next few months are going to bring challenges, expected and unexpected. I expect that my children are going to pass through a period of misbehavior as they get used to their mom leaving most mornings for work. I'm sure that I will experience feelings of guilt and anxiety that will probably never end. Otherwise, I'm uncertain what else to expect.
I know many of you reading this are moms who work outside the home, and I would love to hear your stories and benefit from your advice. What can you offer a newbie like me and anyone else in my shoes? You can comment below or get in touch with me on my blog, The Daily MOMiter.
Regardless of whether you're a mom who works at home or someplace else, wishing you a wonderful start to the new school year for you and your brood. Moms do the most important work all the time - raising children who become good adults.
