Being a SAHM

My growing RaeRae at 6 months old, 8/8/11:

Currently I am a stay-at-home-mama (SAHM). I am not* a home-maker, but a mama who strives to provide enriching activities and love for my little girl RaeRae. Being a SAHM doesn't necessarily mean I am AT home all the time, but it means I do not work an 8am-5pm job. My "job" instead is 24/7 and follows me wherever I go. 

(*Side note, a good friend pointed out to me that a SAHM may also be a home-maker and that some people may disagree, etc, or take pride in being a home-maker or house-wife. Good point she made. I think for myself personally is how I was raised and a bit rebellious against the stereotypical roles for women and men.)


RaeRae is 6 months old now and just got her first tooth a few days ago! She wears her amber teething necklace when she is awake and I have some Hylands teething tablets coming soon. Cold teethers and who would have thought she'd like cold breastmilk in a bottle? She doesn't normally take a bottle, so when I offered her chilled breastmilk in a bottle this afternoon, I was a bit surprised! The coldness probably helps. 

I remember when I first became a mama when she was born. I felt so overwhelmed with the demands of somebody needing me 24/7 (or pretty much like that) and felt eager to go back to work as a substitute teacher. With second-degree tears and nursing problems, the labor pains lasted a few weeks and I wondered when I would feel "normal" or at least more calm.
It took about a month or two before I felt a bit better, but I think it was around 3 months postpartum when I felt lucky to be able to be a SAHM (with DH's job to support us). I looked into becoming a consultant for Diaper Parties because I wanted to have some extra income but not as the main source. 


I applaud all mamas--those are stay at home to take care of their little one(s), those who work full-time at a "job" outside of the home, those who are WAHMs (Work-at-home-mamas) and everyone else in between. Sometimes I think our hubbies or partners may think we have it all easy being able to stay at home. We could "nap" or such.

Truth is, we are busy too! We are busy attending to the needs of another person or persons! Nap times can be a struggle at times, and when you are tired and dealing with a crying baby, you can be overwhelmed. There is quite a bit of mental work in being a mama, or parent in a general. And I love it, most of the time! The other few times when I don't love it so much are when I will admit I need a little break.

Grabs at my face...every single day. LOVE

But overall, I love being a SAHM, especially during RaeRae's first year of life.