The title of this blog may seem strange to some. I thought only working mom’s had the weight of the world on their shoulders? I think it’s safe to say that all mom’s tend to carry the weight of not only their lives, but for the people they love as well. Whether you work away from home, at home, or caring for your children is your full time job, it’s all hard and you are certainly not alone in thinking that. I have been a working away from home mom, and now I am able to stay at home with my children. I didn’t realize the pressure, guilt, and stress that mom’s who stay at home put on themselves. . .until I became one. I’ll admit I thought it would be so nice. I would be able to go out for coffee with fellow mom friends, have the cleanest house on the block, and cook three course meals every night for my husband and kids to enjoy. WRONG! I’m lucky if I get a shower in, there is always some sort of food on my kitchen floor that I let the dogs vacuum up, and I still go through the drive thru when I realize that it’s dinner time and I have nothing out for supper. Whoops! SOOOO I thought I would list some of the pressures that I have been feeling the most during my time at home:

1. TAKE YOUR CHILD TO EVERY PLAY GROUP KNOWN TO MAN KIND- It’s true that play groups are a good way to get out of the house, keep your sanity, and if you’re lucky maybe make some new mommy friends. But sometimes getting out of the house seems like the worst idea in the world. Sometimes we just want to stay at home with our children, stay in our pajamas, and nurse our cups of coffee without wrangling kids out of the door on a time crunch. Years ago, there weren’t any play groups and I think we turned out just fine. No one should dictate to you what you should do with your own children.
2. YOU MUST MAKE FRIENDS WITH EVERY MOTHER YOU MEET- When I do venture out to play groups my main priority is to have a fun time with my children and to get us out of the house for a bit. Some mom’s feel as though they have to connect and get every mother’s phone number they meet and set up coffee dates and play dates. Truth is, motherhood can be it’s own form of high school. You aren’t going to like every mom you meet, I could name a few, and they  aren’t always going to like you. Accept it and don’t feel like you have to change who you are and what kind of parent you are. Enjoy the time with your children!
3. WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY?- This is the worst question a spouse could ask to someone who has been at home looking after children all day. I think kept our children alive is a valid response. Some days it does seem like survival and that is a normality in the parenting world. If you try to have at least one day a week where you are really productive like cleaning the bathrooms, or making an extra special meal, or catching up on laundry, then that is a really big deal for you! Time gets away on us, and spending quality time reading or laughing with your child is more important than dishes in the sink, or clothes waiting to be folded. Don’t worry they will be waiting for you at the end of the day 🙂
4. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE MONEY?- It’s true that being a parent is a full time job. Unfortunately parents don’t get paid what they’re worth. There’s a reason there are so many companies that are run from mom’s (and even dad’s)  who are at home. Think Epicure, Thirty One, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, the list goes on. I know women who work for these companies and they absolutely love it. They get some extra cash in their pockets and everyone is happy at the end of the day. But there are parents who don’t feel like they need to do this nor do they want to. And that’s okay. If you and your spouse have figured out your financial situation and you not earning money doesn’t cause added stress, then count your lucky stars. Don’t feel like you have to be roped into selling people things they don’t really need. Spend your days the way that works best for you.

I could truly go on and on, but I think you get the point. We are all faced with pressures whether you’re at an office all day, or your living room is your office. We wouldn’t want our kids to be pressured into things they don’t want to do, so why should we be any different. Do your thing, and if someone has a problem with it, feel free to tell them where they need to go 🙂