I’m Jealous of the Working Mom

Sometimes – I am jealous of the working mom. The mom that gets to drops her child off at daycare, who gets those 20 minutes of quite time sitting in traffic, the adult interaction, the lunch without crying and food flying, the professional clothing (not stretched out yoga pants) and the all the stress that a career can bring.

I know I might upset some people by saying that but hear me out.

When my daughter was born, my husband and I decided that we wanted to raise our children with one parent at home. I had a career in non-profit and public relations, however, I was so excited to start this next chapter of my life, and I wanted to be there to watch my child grow.

In today’s world there aren’t many stay-at-home moms left! We are a rare breed. I get it, we are fading like disposable cameras, travel agents, or home phones. It’s just something you don’t see anymore. Most moms work outside of the home, while their child is cared for by family members or child care providers during the day.

There are moments throughout my day where I am jealous of those women who get to drop their child off at daycare. Those moments in motherhood where you are burned out and you need a break – where you just want to shower without hearing  those magical words “mom” and seeing a toddler half way hanging in the bath tub offering you a rubber ducky.

We all have those moments during the day, where we throw our hands up and say I miss the real world!

Recently I had one of those moments where dinner was not ready, the teething toddler was crying for something, the laundry had not moved from the pile outside the laundry room, the only adult I had talked to all day was the UPS guy delivering our diapers from Amazon, and my afternoon morning sickness has reared its ugly head. In that moment,  I was jealous of those working moms!

I get it, the grass is always greener on the other side. Yes, I have those moments throughout the day where jealousy rears its ugly head, however I get moments the working mom doesn’t get to experience.

I have been able to witness our daughters first steps, enjoy countless hours of snuggles and giggles, I can bring her to the mall in the middle of the day, or explore the wonders of the park with her. Working moms don’t have that luxury. I don’t take that for granted. I am so blessed I get to watch my child grow, and be there for every bump and scrap along the way.

Stay-at-home moms are a dying breed, we are those burned out moms you see in the stores. Yes, we might give you working moms wearing the clean pressed clothes the fake smile as you push your kid-less cart to the office supply aisle.

But even on my ugliest days, one little smile and that priceless feeling of my daughters arms wrapped ever so tightly around my neck, makes MY job the best in the world! I would not trade that for one day of child care!