Drama in the life of a Stay at Home Mom

Some would call being a Stay at home mom (SAHM) the good life. Others would call it a relic of the 1950's Stepford wife era with chocolate bon bons and soap operas. Despite all of my preconceived notions of what life would be like on the other side of gainful employment, being a SAHM is tougher than I ever thought (but just as rewarding).

First, someone should just tell you that months 0-3 are a wash. Forget about accomplishing anything above and beyond survival and sleep, especially if you are a first-timer. I don't remember anything that happened during those months - seriously, NOTHING. You focus on sleeping and keeping this tiny baby alive and well. Sometimes you get to take a shower and brush your teeth. Forget about shaving and having intelligent conversations. Plan on watching marathon episodes of Bones or whatever comes on between midnight and four in the morning. Women who go back to "gainful employment" should be showered daily with spa treatments and chocolate for they are maternal goddesses.

At 3-6 months, you begin to see light at the other end of the tunnel, small rays of hope that one day you will sleep again. Looking back, I wish someone had just told me to survive to 3 months. Knowing there was an end in sight would have made the first three months less painful. Some type of sleeping clock adjusts in most babies resulting in more zzzz's for all. This is also when babies stop having colic (thank heaven above my baby did not!). You can shower daily now, breathe normally and perform many normal daily functions such as cooking, light cleaning and slightly intelligent conversations. If I had to go back to "work", 6 months would be the earliest I could psychologically do it.

Months 6-9 (my current stage in life) are SOOO sweet. Baby is cooing and smiling at every little thing you do. You are a maternal goddess in his eyes. I would say that you have "adjusted" to the pressures of being a mom - you have figured out what makes your little guy tick and how to fix problems. As a bonus, my pregnancy weight finally came off! On the flip side, this is also the point where you start to realize the accumulated loss of self. You've basically ignored your own needs for the last six to nine months. Being a constant caregiver begins to take its toll. And, you start to think about adjustments you can make to your freshly designed routine. What can I do for "me"? How can I build in some "me" time?

Don't ask me what comes next. I have NO idea! This is where I'm at now. One thing I've learned as a SAHM - take it one day at a time, or better yet, one diaper at a time!