A Day in the Life of a Stay-At-Home Mom

Wow, bet you didn't think I'd be posting anything to this blog--ever! Yes, it's been quite a while. Life has changed tremendously, and my time is not my own any longer . . . but slowly, ever so slowly, I am trying to begin writing again. I am like a sluggish little turtle, making my way there, slowly but surely.

At any rate, today I wanted to share a silly little poem I wrote, a response to the question I'm often asked now that I'm a stay-at-home mom: so, like, what do you DO all day?? This question makes me chuckle, as it is often asked with a tone suggesting that I spend my days watching Dr. Phil and sipping wine in the afternoon.

Hardly!

There's a reason that a nanny or housekeeper is so costly--because it's work!

At any rate, I'm certainly not looking to spark a political debate of the "she said, she said," working mom v. stay-at-home mom variety. Just thought I'd share this little ditty and give you a peek at a typical day. And, lest you think I'm complaining in any way, rest assured that I am not. Being able to stay home with my son (lovingly referred to as "pumpkin" in this poem) is truly a dream come true for me!

**The Stay-At-Home Mama**

This poem is dedicated to my fellow hard-working stay-at-home mothers and our friends who think we do nothing all day long ;-)

I awaken every morning,

With high hopes for the day—

Perhaps I’ll eat some bonbons!

And flit the day away.

No sooner than I think it,

Or gulp my coffee down,

My pumpkin starts to twist and turn,

Awakening with a sound.

I set down liquid gold,

And creep into his room.

We sing a song, slip into diaper dry,

Then the daily activities resume.

It’s time to eat,

And time to burp,

And time for mom to grab a bite too.

It’s time to play

And time to clean,

And, oh my, it’s already noon!

So it’s time to eat

And time to burp,

And time for mom to grab a bit once more—

It’s time to kick

And time to roll,

And, oh my, it’s already four!

So it’s time to eat

And time to burp,

And time to take a nap—

And you mentioned something about a bonbon,

Now, what was that??

I’d love to indulge,

And put my feet up,

Lay down and watch some t.v.—

But the laundry abounds,

There are dishes to clean,

And a family I need to feed.

So the bonbons stay put,

Pots and pans go to work,

And I whip a meal delightful.

Then the baby is crying,

The kitchen’s a mess,

And the house looks downright frightful!

So I triage the mess,

I’ll clean more tomorrow,

Then give my pumpkin a scrubbing.

And then we collapse,

Down the last milk of the day,

And oh, how my tired feed need rubbing.

Then pumpkin goes down,

All sweet, with round belly—

Maybe now for some time to myself!

Ahh, silly me,

I must have been dreaming!

That kitchen doesn’t clean itself.

There are bottles to wash,

And dishes to scrub,

And counters to wipe down clean.

And at the end of the day,

When the work’s finally done,

My tank is empty, and lean.

Thus it’s time to turn in,

Perhaps dream about bonbons?

And snag some restful sleep,

For tomorrow will come,

With all its demands and “to dos”—

Time to wash, rinse, and repeat!