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Moms choose to go back to work for many reasons. Some enjoy their job and find their work rewarding. Some go back to help financially support their family. Others find the company of adults a pleasant change from baby babbling and toddler ramblings all day. (It’s like an 8-hour vacation every day!) Some go back for a combination of all of the above! But many Moms choose not to return to work. Those Moms have secured full time employment in the most important job position they will ever hold – the stay at home mom!
Now that Gavin is a toddler, I find myself wishing more and more that I was a stay at home mom. Don’t get me wrong, even when he was a baby there were days I just wished I didn’t have to go to work. But now that he’s older and so much more interactive, that desire has become stronger.
For all you stay at home moms – I’m jealous! There are many, many reasons I wish to join your ranks. Too many to list. But I’m going to try anyways! So here are my top 10 reasons I want to be a stay at home mom.
{#1 – Piggy Toes}
Everything is better when you play with your toes. No, seriously. There can be a full blown temper tantrum in effect and all I have to do is call attention to Gavin’s piggy toes and we’re back on track. One of my favorite activities with Gavin is pretending that his feet smell. Stay with me here….I sniff them, waft at my nose, shout “pee-yew” and receive the most hearty belly laugh you could ever hear from a child. He always asks for more and I get a kick out of watching him roll on the ground trying to smell his toes too. We count his toes, make imprints of them in play dough, trace them on paper and dance to our favorite songs with them (including our favorite “Touch Your Toes to Your Nose”).
{#2 – Pete and Repeat}
Gavin is a toddler now and learning so much every day. He absorbs the world around him like a little sponge. So I just love when he repeats what I say. Granted, I can see how this might be annoying when kids are older, but right now, I love it. My favorite is when he mimics me by shaking his finger and telling the cat to “get down” after it jumps on the table. Cracks me up every time!
{#3 – Outdoor Exploration}
Everything in the world is new and exciting in the eyes of a toddler. Weeds aren’t weeds. They are tiny flowers that can be picked, smelled and given to Mommy. A big rock isn’t just a yard nuisance. It’s something to climb on and run down and sit on to watch the world from. The driveway isn’t just for parking cars. It’s the best coloring canvas available.
{#4 – Morning Wake Up}
This is my absolute FAVORITE part of the day. I love opening the door to his room and seeing his sleepy face standing in his crib, one hand holding his socks (which he would rather cuddle than wear on his feet) and the other hugging his lovie snuggle blanket. We exchange our first hugs and words and get ready to start the day. Unfortunately for me, I miss many of these mornings since I’m already in the shower getting ready for work. But when I do catch them, they are the best way to start the day.
{#5 – Sleeping In}
Shhh…this is a very taboo topic. If you even think about sleeping in, never mind talk about it, you undoubtedly will NEVER be able to sleep in. It’s like your child has ESP and will make sure you never fulfill this dream. Am I right? However, there have been times on the weekend when Gavin has slept in. So late in fact, that I could actually see sunlight when he awoke! We all enjoy a good night sleep on those occasions. And I for one would like to experience that on a weekday. Even if just once!
{#6 – Hugs Any Time}
Ok Moms, I know you’ve done this. There you are, cross-legged on the floor with your baby on your lap. Your child is reading or playing with a toy and are completely oblivious to you being there or the fact that they are even sitting on you. All of a sudden, the urge hits you. You just can’t resist. You wrap your arms around them, take in a big sniff of their sweet baby smell, and hug them from behind. Ahhhhh……
{#7 – Running Errands}
Working all day leaves me with only a few moments in the evening (before dinner and bedtime) for time to grocery shop or run any other errands. Unfortunately, this means either less time at home, or a frantic run through the store with a crabby and hungry toddler in tow. Being a stay at home mom would allow me to time my errands better –not interfering with naps or meals – so that we could spend more quality time together as a family at night.
{#8 – Parks and Zoos and Museums, Oh My!}
Every weekend I think to myself, “we should go to the zoo!” Then I think about all the crowds, the screaming children, and the overall mass chaos from other families also trying to squeeze in family fun on the weekends. Yup, it would be so much easier to visit places during the week, when a lot of other families are at work or school!
{#9 – Nap Time}
Please, I’m not delusional. I know that even though my child naps during the day, it doesn’t mean that I would be doing it too if I were home. But boy it would be nice to have the option!
{#10 – To Grandmother’s House We Go!}
I’m sure I’ll be getting a phone call after a certain grandmother reads this, but if I were a stay at home mom; you bet I’d be making frequent visits to Grammy’s house! There’s nothing better than watching a grandmother play with her grandchild, all while you get to sit back and enjoy her home cooked meals! And in my experience, it’s a grandparent’s job to spoil their grandchildren, so a visit will undoubtedly result in presents for your tot! Bonus: A visit to Grammy’s usually results in leftovers and cookies to take home. 
(Love you Grammy!)
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So there you have it. My top 10 reasons to be a stay at home mom. We’d love to hear your reasons for being a stay at home mom too.
Oh, and in case you thought I believe being a stay at home mom is easy (yeah right), I’ve also drafted my top 10 reasons to return to work! Keep reading, it will be posted soon!
About Kaitlyn
