Eight weeks into my foray as a mom, and I was already on my way back to work. I had always loved the idea of being a stay-at-home mom, but it wasn’t in the cards for me. Two kids and 9 1/2 years later I’m OK with that, because frankly, I would be a terrible stay-at-home mother! As I’ve continued on my path, I’ve found a few perks to being a work-outside-the-home mom.
#1 – Peeing in Peace
This is a big one ladies and gentlemen (Hi, dad!). But there are some weekend days that I literally have no time to myself. So, dear co-worker who may be reading this: I don’t have a bug, and I’m not contagious. I just really like the fact that I can go to the bathroom by myself. If I spend a few extra minutes in there, it’s only because I can. Don’t try to stop me.
#2 – Snacks
I sometimes buy snacks at the grocery store, secretly leave them in the sack in my car and don’t even take them into the house. These are my “work” snacks. I (obviously) am slightly crazy, but I’m not a big sharer. So these are my special snacks that no one else gets but me. They range from things my kids care nothing about (oatmeal) to things that I am deliberately hiding from them (candy). But when they don’t see them, they can’t even ask me about them. So I don’t have to be the meanest mom who ever lived. Not that I would know what it’s like being called that…
#3 – Adult Conversations
One thing I missed in the minimal amount of time I was gone on maternity leave was adult conversations. No amount of Kelly Ripa could keep me from feeling like I was alone. At work I am in an office area with other women who also like to chat. So while we have to get our work done, when we have downtime we’re able to talk about evening and weekend plans, meal plans, etc.
#4 – Lunch Errands
If I need to do something kid-free I have approximately 1 hour to get it done. I have mastered the skill of getting almost anything done in that time frame! Need an oil change, return an item to the mall and stop at the post office? No problem. I’m just like the Royals — I need to keep the line moving.
#5 – Earning a Paycheck
I literally get paid to go to work! And while sometimes it feels like I am working for insurance and to pay for daycare, I just dream about the days until that will no longer be necessary (t-minus 15 months and counting).
Obviously I love my kids, but I’m a much better mom when I’m not with them 100% of the time. I recognize that and am SO grateful for the teachers and daycare providers that love them as their own when their mom needs to get her crazy out. When I go to work I get to be a person outside of a mom and show my boys that I have talents other than making lunches and giving baths. Because Lord knows that my talents don’t lie in housework and baking!
