tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post7051552323224356585..comments2023-11-02T05:36:29.388-07:00Comments on designer bags and dirty diapers: Being a Stay at Home MomNatalie {Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers}http://www.blogger.com/profile/17353793755653007746noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-22534006248182351152013-10-23T20:21:14.471-07:002013-10-23T20:21:14.471-07:00Being a MOM is hard. I appreciate your honesty. ...Being a MOM is hard. I appreciate your honesty. I have to say I thought being a SAHM was the hardest job in the world...and then I became a working, divorced mom. Working moms still have to do many of the same things(....get dinner on the table, clean the house, make sure the kids have what they need for school or preschool) and they can't start dinner before they get home from work, or work on those things throughout the day. And guess what? I got to fix the furnace tonight because I don't have the money to pay someone to fix it. This after a full day of work, so my kids got basically no time with me. Being a SAHM was exhausting to me because of the sameness. Saturday is the same as Mon-Fri. But please know that no Mom ever gets "time off." The biggest myth to me is that because I work I get a lunch break. I cram food in while I drive to run errands or make phone calls that I can't make during the work day. Mom = life is hard. Lucky for all of us our kids are worth it!angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06313288870946620560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-48366578809374156622013-10-19T18:47:04.925-07:002013-10-19T18:47:04.925-07:00You are right! Being a stay at home mom is one of...You are right! Being a stay at home mom is one of hardest jobs around. We are always on the job (including those times during the night when the kids wake up) and even if we are on 'vacation' we are still on the job. However, I would not have it any other way as I get to be a part of my childrens' days. Kudos to all the moms out there, whether working moms or SAHM.Annette {One Perfect Room}https://www.blogger.com/profile/04892883055069926807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-2206897629021737822013-10-18T16:01:10.326-07:002013-10-18T16:01:10.326-07:00First time commenter and I just wanted to write th...First time commenter and I just wanted to write that I was a little surprised by your post when you briefly mention your finances. I've checked out your blog for a while now & have noticed that you seem to spend a lot of money on clothing. I'm often a little surprised by the cost of some of the items you purchase. It doesn't seem like you're well off and now this post sort of confirms it. My questions are, how does your husband feel about the amount of money you spend on clothing and do you receive discounts on items? I don't see a lot of c/o items, so I'm assuming you spend your own money. I'm also a SAHM and even though my husband's job pays really well & I would consider us fairly well off, my husband would not be ok with me spending that much on clothing. Even if I was making my own "spending money" I think I would feel guilty and a little selfish buying some of the items you buy. What is your outlook on this?BelleTHerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01500421559627120960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-62889372908282603972013-10-17T18:32:36.966-07:002013-10-17T18:32:36.966-07:00Such a fabulous post! I don't know how YOU do ...Such a fabulous post! I don't know how YOU do it! I'm so impressed that you are able to keep up with your blog, look amazing, cook yummy food and keep your sweet boy happy and healthy. :) Speaking from recent experience, get ready for two...it's a whole new ballgame! But it's totally worth it!rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00163093138359545777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-35642266377105908752013-10-17T05:26:24.506-07:002013-10-17T05:26:24.506-07:00Being a MOM is so freaking hard! I swear if you&#...Being a MOM is so freaking hard! I swear if you're not one you just have no clue. That includes Dads at the top of the list. I often wonder about my choice to stay home. I too, was "downsized" right before I got pregnant with Wells and then we moved when she was tiny and I got pregnant again and had Tagg. None of that felt like good timing to start a real job search. With toddlers it now feels daunting to pay for childcare for a job search I'm not even sure I want. I have found ways to "work" from home. I help contribute with my photography income and a new small business I've started growing. But none of those make much impact in our financial stability and don't produce enough to pay for childcare. I think if good childcare were more affordable and working conditions were more ideal for moms. ie, better, less and more flexible hours I would jump in head first. I would love the balance of a part-time full time job. Who wouldn't? I hate that women are forced to make such a sacrifice. All-in or All-out. I see so many friends who work play harder at work just to prove themselves as dependable and not a mom-flake. And then they come home and do all the same things I have all day to do. The flip-side? They get a little bit of sanity that I'm missing in my life right now and more money in their bank accounts. But they battle the loss of missing out at home. Or worrying that they are missing out. Props to all moms for this crazy hard ride!Julia Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17077799760284042276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-8721362540872859122013-10-16T13:28:46.756-07:002013-10-16T13:28:46.756-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-87183180953576951082013-10-16T10:24:37.154-07:002013-10-16T10:24:37.154-07:00I was trying to think of a good way to respond to ...I was trying to think of a good way to respond to this post - you expressed my thoughts perfectly! Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06483067322103156477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-57912113572014460022013-10-15T19:18:05.009-07:002013-10-15T19:18:05.009-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01567668584509919636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-28391021338080355352013-10-15T11:11:28.356-07:002013-10-15T11:11:28.356-07:00I too am a stay at home mom of 22 month old twin b...I too am a stay at home mom of 22 month old twin boys and I totally agree with everything you said. Thanks for your honesty! Sarah Vicarshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08200915901299207624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-55062675619096456602013-10-15T10:18:45.209-07:002013-10-15T10:18:45.209-07:00I also had a SAHM and I loved it. It makes life s...I also had a SAHM and I loved it. It makes life so much easier for everyone. I never considered that I could have had more vacations or more expensive things if my mom worked--I just knew that my mom was able to do more for our family because she was home with us full-time.<br /><br />I'm not a mom (yet!), so maybe I'm not in the mom circles where these things are said, but I've never heard anyone make any negative remarks about SAHMs or question what they do all day. I think it should be obvious that if you have to pay for day care, then a person staying home to do the same thing is working.<br /><br />The one thing I object to in your post is limiting the statement about self-sacrifice to only stay-at-home moms--I think the vast majority of moms, regardless of whether they work, regularly sacrifice their own needs to do what they think is best for their families. That's just being a good mom.Babina868https://www.blogger.com/profile/12136291679767267170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-74186414894129760012013-10-15T08:58:31.648-07:002013-10-15T08:58:31.648-07:00I so needed this today. It is hard being a SAHM. A...I so needed this today. It is hard being a SAHM. And living outside of LA where it is super expensive doesn't make things easier. I constantly worry about $, and our budget, etc... I can't afford the expensive "luxuries" BUT I wouldn't my job as a SAHM and go back to work. Because those "luxuries" are just things. And what I want is to be with my little guy as a SAHM. Yes it suxs sometime, and its hard but it the BEST decision I ever made.<br />PS-dont make apologies to people who are upset by this post. This is YOUR blog and your feelings and opinions. I LOVE you posts when you tell us how you really feel and think. They are my favorite. You are a great writer and really connect with people with your honesty. Don't change for others. xxooAlicia xoxxohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12496556164650539735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-59536672919430995612013-10-15T08:21:51.212-07:002013-10-15T08:21:51.212-07:00Great post, Natalie. I struggle all the time with ...Great post, Natalie. I struggle all the time with whether or not to stay at home. We are lucky to have an amazing, inexpensive daycare at David's corporate office so that makes the decision a bit easier and gives me some flexibility to only work part-time. I consider myself lucky and get the best of both worlds, in that respect. Either way, being a momma is tough and I think that as long as we all back each other up and give kudos to each other as much as possible, we'll feel happy and appreciated!Michelle @ Ten Junehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15787130778157257937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-33035262437789031572013-10-15T07:06:21.122-07:002013-10-15T07:06:21.122-07:00Natalie, I completely agree! To the women who said...Natalie, I completely agree! To the women who said she is not crediting the working mom, I think she said that she knows there are women out there that don't have the luxury to stay home. This is Natalie's blog and Natalie is a stay at home mom so that is the perspective she is writing from. As moms, we need to say to all moms, it's ok no matter what your situation is. The working mom deserves credit. The stay at home mom deserves credit. The working dad deserves credit. The stay at home dad deserves credit. Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06632858517762817029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-82111477060030456272013-10-14T16:21:29.231-07:002013-10-14T16:21:29.231-07:00I love your blog!!! This post though was hard to r...I love your blog!!! This post though was hard to read. A lot of moms have to work, they don't have a choice. Working a full time job, then tending to the kids, cleaning, cooking etc is just as hard. Just hard in a different way. I don't feel like you credited the working mom at all. Fhinz2https://www.blogger.com/profile/02443411298844918881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-55098721153585803022013-10-14T16:17:48.520-07:002013-10-14T16:17:48.520-07:00This was such a wonderful post! Thank you for shar...This was such a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing!<br /><br />xo<br /><br />www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.comPlum Pretty Sugar https://www.blogger.com/profile/05490021504196526666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-28628870160202718522013-10-14T14:19:26.461-07:002013-10-14T14:19:26.461-07:00i loved the article too! despite all those that di...i loved the article too! despite all those that didnt. i suppose i didnt make the viewpoint that hes putting down working mothers and many others did. i am so thankful to be a SAHM! well written girl!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00914359562722869121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-14394330850148865712013-10-14T13:47:32.881-07:002013-10-14T13:47:32.881-07:00Alleluia!!! Thanks for saying exactly what I feel!...Alleluia!!! Thanks for saying exactly what I feel! Keep up the great writing!Sonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14977100072022862353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-9537865121010102482013-10-14T13:40:30.346-07:002013-10-14T13:40:30.346-07:00well said my dear!! well said my dear!! Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02812695464391846702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-84863010784631768282013-10-14T12:22:25.342-07:002013-10-14T12:22:25.342-07:00Amen. It's so true...hardest job in the world,...Amen. It's so true...hardest job in the world, but the most rewarding. I stay at home with my little boy and girl, too and love it, but there are long days and there is no "me" time since my almost four year old has dropped his nap. But it's what I've always wanted to do and I feel so very fortunate that I'm able to stay at home with them. If any SAHM or working mother has time to worry about what the other is doing, then they have too much time on their hands. I love your blog and can't wait to see your journey with two! The Gibson Ganghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11559830595327854259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-78287689353445965982013-10-14T12:05:15.203-07:002013-10-14T12:05:15.203-07:00I love this Natalie! I think just being a mom in g...I love this Natalie! I think just being a mom in general is hard...I give so much credit to those who juggle both work/being a mom and then I of course feel your pain as a SAHM. We too have had to sacrifice, but I think it is well worth it! These years will go by too fast and so I am happy to pinch pennies for a few years until they are in school :) xoxoAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12477835113140071529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-11509088696130202472013-10-14T11:55:59.930-07:002013-10-14T11:55:59.930-07:00Word. It's hard and wonderful and it's exa...Word. It's hard and wonderful and it's exactly what I want to do. I know I have it a lot easier than a lot of SAHM's with the help of school and sitters. Josh is also really good at understanding it's really challenging and mentally exhausting. Thank goodness for that. And for good friends, thank goodness for that too :)Chassity (Look Linger Love)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09147157220534487029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-44891781834021052672013-10-14T11:40:26.151-07:002013-10-14T11:40:26.151-07:00Amen. 👏 Amen. 👏 CCWatkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12577741899912924333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-29894857314456364212013-10-14T11:13:19.842-07:002013-10-14T11:13:19.842-07:00Great post Natalie. I want to reiterate that sayin...Great post Natalie. I want to reiterate that saying home is a HUGE sacrifice...my husband is also an attorney- people just assume that he "does well", but when you are self employed, have your own firm, and have to pay several others salaries....it can be feast or famine! ;-) I worked full time for a CPA firm out of school, then went to part time after our first daughter was born. Now, I am home full time with our girls & I wouldn't trade it for the world. We just took our first vacation in over 5 years & are beginning to breathe a little since he went into private practice. I feel for moms who want to be home and cannot because of financial reasons...been there done that. I will be forever grateful for this time with my children! Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06174298542609112710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-72553897586544354942013-10-14T10:51:41.492-07:002013-10-14T10:51:41.492-07:00Natalie, I always read your blog posts but I don&#...Natalie, I always read your blog posts but I don't always comment (the kale caesar salad was amazing, btw. I made it TWICE for lunch this weekend), but the article you referenced rubbed me the wrong way just like this post did. What if you took out the "stay at home" part before every reference to being a mom. The same is true. I think the original article as well as this post inadvertently perpetuates the mommy wars. We are all here to support each other and whether you stay at home or go back to work you're still a mom and either way it is HARD. I think being a MOM is one of the most under-appreciated jobs around.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13690362557032391474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278276723610191994.post-42075784316925619142013-10-14T10:48:21.840-07:002013-10-14T10:48:21.840-07:00I get the question all the time, "are you goi...I get the question all the time, "are you going back to work after you have the baby?" and honestly it's one I always cringe at - while there's no "right" answer, it's one that people always love to tell you their opinions about. I have friends that stay home and friends that have gone back to work, and neither is easy. Thanks for being so open and honest about your decision!Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06762552032586373581noreply@blogger.com