I love being a wife and mother.
I really do. Its funny that I was voted by my friends to be the last to settle down, and instead I was a 19-year-old bride! Before Joe and I were married, I refused to cook for him. I had won the home ec student of the year (gag) in high school, but I didn’t want him to know that I could do anything domestic. I wanted to make sure that he wasn’t marrying me for my maid and food prep services, LOL.
Last night I made a coconut cream pie (Joe’s fave). As I was whipping the meringue, I started thinking about how much I love that I am able to do this kind of stuff for my family. I always knew that I’d want to do this one day, but I really thought that I wanted to have my career first. I was totally missing the mark. I don’t think its wrong to have that stuff first, but this is just the right thing for me right now, and I know that to the depths of my soul. I will still have plenty of time to be “grown up”, should I so choose! I mean, my kids will be out of high school by the time I’m 40!
The transition to being a SAHM was really tough for me. I had long placed my value in my education and my career. I started working at 14 and it was not uncommon for me to hold 3 jobs, even though I didn’t need the money. I just really liked to work and I liked the sense of accomplishment and the… outside praise, I guess? When I transitioned to being home, I had nothing impressive to tell my friends and family anymore. My life was so much simpler. I was told that I was “wasting” my gifts. Joe was proud of my mothering, but it just wasn’t the same as having an office with adults and interaction and feedback! I knew that I’d stick it out, but it was tough.
Now I’m so glad that I made it over that hump. Maybe it was more interesting when I shared to my friends about how I was about to get published, rather than sharing that I wiped yogurt off of faces, played with chalk on the patio, made some homemade bagels, and washed up some diapers. Still, I’d rather be able to look back on these kinds of experiences, rather than having publishings and awards and have missed these moments and opportunities.
I guess I’m just mushy again today, LOL.