Just under a year ago, I made the life changing move of going from a full time, have a job in the office and juggle home mum to a full time, stay at home ‘working’ mum. What is the difference you ask? Well, I shall have to define what I mean by each :
As full time, have a job in the office (I also worked from home a lot too) and juggle home mum our household was run with military precision. All school requests or any admin relating to childcare was completed and returned on the day it was emailed/put in the school bag. Groceries were all ordered online and delivered during their allocated slot. All communications relating to changes to our routine were emailed to the nursery or school (whilst on a teleconference I should add) or pretty please help texts were sent to supportive friends in extreme cases (like it’s World Book day tomorrow and I don’t have a costume for our son to go in…anybody have a spare outfit we could persuade him was a book he liked? – mean I know – but military precision meant it was that outfit or going to school in pyjamas!).
My brain seemed to remember a lot more and it was seldom I would forget a date and if my supportive husband hadn’t written that he was going to be out on the household calendar and there was a schedule clash – it was a race as to who could get their pen to the calendar slot first to claim the rights to go out! In short – I felt like I had a lot more time (ironic I know!)
As full time, stay at home ‘working’ mum , hold on a moment…there is an interruption to this thought process – please be patient – my 4 year old has screamed with concern that his glasses have fallen into the toilet and require immediate recovery. Ok, sorry about that. I am back where was I? Oh yes – I am more busy with running errands and very rarely in front of a computer/laptop for the full 10 hours a day I used to be. So the theory is that I have more time to be more organised. Wrong! Oops. Sorry. Need to dash off and do the school run. Right – it has taken me a couple of minutes to remember my train of thought. Ah man!
I was just getting on the right train – just remembered – I forgot that it was school swimming and it’s my turn to help and need to go so that I make the school coach. Just got home to discover that there was only 6 items on my online shopping list (which have all been delivered and they are all soap!). oops! Maybe next time I should just do a full ‘shop’ before checking out. Need to go and get some bread and milk then otherwise it is soap for lunch. I am sure I don’t need to add any more examples and that you get the drift of this definition.
If I was to compare both full time working mum roles, they each have their merits and I am fortunate enough that I am able to spend this precious time with our boys. They grow so fast and soon enough I’ll be the one asking for their help. I can say that there is never a dull moment in our house and my supportive husband is wondering how much longer I will last without the mental stimulation of my old job which I loved. I can say that almost a year on, I don’t regret the decision we both made to stop working and look after our boys and whilst some days the rushing around feels just like rushing around, the time we get to chat in the car or I am able to witness a small achievement they make when we are out and about (this ranges from look I put a branch back on the tree to swimming with less floats!).
About Mumof2 : I am Kelly and we have 2 gorgeous boys and 2 cute, but naughty dogs. Our family of 4 lived in London for many years and then moved out into the countryside. I used to be a full time working mum and after some disastrous au pair encounters, I am now a full time stay at home mum (and now a blogger). If you would like to hear more about life in our household please visit www.mumof2.com to read my blog. You can also find me on twitter.com/2mumof2 or facebook.com/mumof2.com
About The Real Supermum
Working mum vs ‘Working’ mum http://t.co/ZyYuHTfV
Loved this post. I am about to start full time work after 2 years (nearly) of being a stay at home mum. I shall eb working and my OH. Mine included some nights and weekends and all 12 hours shifts so shall be fun! I shall be hoping from support from OH and nursery. Keep doing what you enjoy weather it means being a stay at home mum or working mum, both are demanding as each other! x
Being a mum is the hardest but most rewarding job ever ! And personally I wouldn’t let anyone bring up my boy I would be jealous ! Lol x
I have recently gone back to full time work after having my lb 3 yrs ago. I have struggled with the day to day tasks of work an home but now wpuldnt change as we as a family are working so well together, an my hubby is a full time stay at home dad. A lot of ppl look at us like we have lost the plot when we tell them lol xx
love this post x
my lb is 2 and i left work to bring him up my self as i wanted to be there when he started crawling,walking and talking and now im looking at going bk to work as my oh just started working as well and i think it be good for my son to go to nursery and interact with others his age xx
Well done for you, I am a stay home mum of two now with my first me and partner used to swap the kids at our place as we work opposite shifts xxxx
What a fantastic post! I’ve worked since turning 11 apart from being on maternity leave with my now 2.5yr old and I am due to commence maternity leave again in January. And I have to admit, I find being actually at work so much easier than being a stay-at-home-mum! I’m do much more organised, the routine is set in stone and nothing alters that. However, after hearing about my daughters first steps, first sentence, first full song etc from nursery staff, I’ve come to the conclusion that after girly-bump arrives I believe I may have to make a lot of changes to my nice routine lifestyle. I’m envious of mums who can be with their children all the time
x
I’ve gone back to work after having both my children and yes it is military operation most times but I wouldn’t have it any other way x
Love this post x
Love it x