The Great Mom Debate

So, who has it worse? The stay-at-home mom or the working mom. I hear so much discussion. Both sides claiming no one has any idea how hard they work and how easy the other has it. I recently had a play date with 2 other moms: 1 works as a full-time stay-at-home mom, the other works part-time outside the home and I work full-time outside the home. As we were talking, this topic came up. Instead of, "You have no idea how hard I work," I heard us saying things like, "I don't know how you do it," "You are so lucky," "I admire you" to each other. I was so taken back by the positive comments since it is in such contrast to how we women usually treat each other.

Why do we, and by we I mean me, feel like we have to "one up" each other when talking about our jobs? Why do we minimize the work of others as if that will somehow make our work more appreciated? Why do we lack so much confidence in our work that we need it validated by others.

So, I have it figured out. Yup, Me and my 27, almost 28 years (YIKES) of life, has the answer to this great debate. Who has the harder job? Guess what ladies, you both do! It is my belief that there is no job more difficult than being a parent. And let's not leave dad out either. Raising kids is tough, whether you work inside or outside of your home. You have a daunting task in front of you. So, yeah you, you win! You win 18+ years of the hardest job in the world that carries the best, most rewarding payout.

As I thought about my job, I was convicting to really start focusing and communicating the "pros" that I encounter every day. I feel fortunate. I am a teacher. As a teacher, I get to work 9-10 months a year and be off the entire summer. Are those 9 months tough with many long hours/days? Yes, just ask my hubby. But they are so worth it. I to stay home and work. SO, here's just a few things I love about being a stay-at-home mom and a working mom.


Stay at Home MOM

1. Getting dressed can mean just changing into clean jammies
2. I can shower when I want
3. No make-up
4. I get to spend the whole day with my kids teaching them about Jesus
5. I get to go on playdates
6. I can nap :)
7. I walk away exhausted but happy

Working Mom
1. I get to wear nice clothes that don't have boogers
2. I'm forced to start my day
3. Make - up
4. I get to teach kids about Jesus,and be in my church
5. I get to have lunch with girlfriends everyday
6. I get to impact the lives of children other than my own
7. I walk away exhausted but happy




So, no matter where you find your job right now, find a way to honor God. If you're not honoring Him in whatever you are doing, then none of it really matters anyway. We're all fighting the same fight. Let's fight it together. I guarantee if you are having a bad day, there's another mom out there feeling the exact same way. And if they tell you they're not ... they're probably putting on a brave face. Wherever you are working, know you are a great mom with lots of valuable work on your resume. Don't let anyone take that from you :) Now, go be a fantastic mom!

So blessed

So, today I took Molly in for her 4 weeks well-check. In classic Molly-style, She got ticked as they were looking her over. So ticked that she did her "I'm going to hold my breath and not breathe and turn purple" ticked. Once the breath returned to her body, she let out a few coughs and the doctor looks at me and says, "That's a croup cough." I couldn't believe it. How could she have come down with yet another virus.

I know enough about medicine to know that her cough wasn't that bad and that there was very little I could do about it so I might as well go about my day.

As I was walking in to get Luke from school, I ran into a friend and we were talking. She asked me who our Ped was and then said, "Does EVERYONE go to that ped?" To which I responded with the million reasons why we just love our ped. Here are just a few:

1. He nor his office staff has ever made us feel stupid. Now, we have taken Luke in for some silly symptoms that we blew out of proportion, but Dr. McGranahan has ALWAYS made use feel like our concerns were valid. At one point, when we were dealing with the RSV madness, I gave him permission to tell me I was overreacting, but he refused.

2. He is invested in my kids. We always felt like he knew us when we just had Luke. When I had Molly, I figured there was no way he would be able to pretend as well that he was invested in our family. However, when he made his rounds at the hospital, he came to my room and talked to me about Molly. Then he asked about Luke. Then he began to compare Luke and Molly.

Today, I was joking with him about how Luke's growth curved were always high and how his head followed his own curve. Dr. McGranahan actually finished my joke about the head growth curve because he remembered because he is invested.

3. He has an awesome staff. When the nurse, Casey, came out to get Molly today, she came out with arms out. She was ready to hold my baby. We talked about my kids, joked, and just enjoyed each other's company. She went to go get me some formula samples while I fill out paper work. When she came back, Molly was in my arms screaming, again, and Casy saw the frustration and exhaustion all over my face. She scooped up my precious girl and comforted her so I could relax and fill out paperwork.

There are so many more reasons why we love Dr. McGranahan and A-Z Pediatrics, many many more. Most of all I think I appreciate that they act like real people with real families and real empathy. I never feel like a number or obligation. They always make us feel like they care about what we are worried about. So, a big thank you to Dr. McGranahan, Casey and LEslie. We have been so blessed by you. If you are in need of a ped, please consider their office. YOu may have to drive a little further but it is so worth it.