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Struggles of a Stay-at-Home Mom

Things I Wish I Knew...

By Lori AnnPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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Being a stay-at-home mom is, in my opinion, one of the hardest jobs out there. You get no breaks, no pay, you're physically exhausted most of the time, and it's always the same thing on repeat everyday. But you have those glimpses of your child's smile that pushes you forward everyday.

I am a mother of two—one girl and one boy, both under the age of four. I live in a one bedroom apartment and am trying to make it work. I am a single mother. I get no breaks when I'm sick or when one of my kids is sick and the other is not. It's tough, but you have to keep going. Keep cleaning, keep doing laundry, day in and day out; keep cooking, keep changing diapers. You really don't get anytime to yourself. I look like the typical bumming it mom—hair up, sweat pants, baggy shirt and no makeup.You put in all your energy and time to making sure your kids are safe and have what they need.

I don't get paid for being a stay-at-home mom, but what I do get is smiles, hugs, kisses, tons of laughter, and hearing my kids say "I love you, mommy." Yes, there are bad days where there is crying nonstop, toys being thrown, things spilled, and—my least favorite—my daughter's artwork on my walls. But it's the learning process you and your kids go through. I learn something new every day about my kids.

When being a stay-at-home mom, it takes a lot out of you. Your time, your patience, your energy, and your will to not give in and break down. I tell myself every day to keep going; it's only so many hours till nap time or lunch or bath time. My kids don't like going to bed until 9:30 most of the time, then I'm left with the cleaning and taking a shower and relaxing before going to bed, and once I lay down, I can't sleep. My kids go to their dad's every other weekend, so I only get two days to relax, and most of the time, I clean while they're gone.

I do co-sleep and I know it's frowned upon on so many levels. My daughter sleeps in her bed but wakes up and wants mommy in the middle of the night. My son doesn't sleep through the night still, and the only way he will stay asleep for most of the night is to lay with me. I don't roll over. I sleep like a log.

I tell my kids no about 800 times a day. Yes, I know that sounds exaggerated, but I swear, my kids don't like to listen. I say "what the hell" to myself just as much. It's very tough being a single mother of two ,but trust me, seeing your kids happy is worth it. It's worth all the tears, all the late nights staying up, the tantrums from your kids not getting what you want. It's all worth it. Don't beat yourself up if you think you're not doing well, because you are. You are a strong woman. Your child looks up to you. Just keep doing what you're doing.

single
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About the Creator

Lori Ann

20 years old.

Mother of 2

Raises my kids in my own

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