Recently I have become a SAHM. If your not sure what that stands for, it means a stay at home mom. It's been a huge change for Brad, Zander, and myself. But, it's been a great change! Sure I will admitt, money is tighter than it used to be but in all honesty, the money I make would have gone straight to daycare anyways. So in reality, the money issue would have been just the same wether I was working or not.
I find there is a lot of negativity when you tell someone you are a SAHM. In my case, people in my life think it's because I'm too lazy to work. That's not it at all, and truthfully, it really makes me mader than mad when people assume that.
Being a SAHM is a job. A full time job that your not being paid for, there are no breaks, no time to think, and no time for yourself. Whoever says otherwise clearly doesn't have kids and doesn't know anything about being a parent.
I chose to be a SAHM for a few reasons. Firstly, as mentioned above, the money I would have made if I was working would have gone directly to daycare. Why waist my money when I can stay at home with my son and take of him the way his father and I want him to be taken care of?! Some may argue this and be offended, and others (family members) would offer to babysit for free. Well, as much as a love my family, if it came down to free babysitter or daycare, I would choose daycare. It's pretty simple why actually. Socialization. So, I probably have you a little lost now. Your thinking, you want him in daycare for socialization, but your keeping him at home to care for him the way you are comfortable with, but if he is at home how can he socialize? Well, I have plans through the week. Now that the weather has been so nice we have been to the park once or twice a day, for up to 2 hours at a time. The park is loaded with kids and it's perfect for meeting new friends and interacting with others his age. In the winter and on rainy days we go to indoor playgrounds.
My other reason for wanting to stay home with Zander was also mentioned above. Zander will be cared for in a way Brad and I are comfortable with. I can teach him his colours, letters, numbers, etc. all in ways that I know he will respond to best. Zander is a stubborn child when it comes to teaching and at daycares they only teach it a certain way. Since every child learns differently it's not always the best theory for each child. With Zander being at home, I can try many different theory's out and see exactly which one he responds to the best.
So, maybe you still don't agree with me being a SAHM, or maybe you think my reasons are weird, but this is what Brad and I have chosen to be best for Zander. At least for now :)
If your a SAHM, how do your friends and family react? And how do you keep them socialized?
