What People Don't Get About My Job: The Stay-at-Home Mom

"I am mostly un-showered, under-slept, and certainly don't watch daytime TV, as the job was sold to me."

Misconception number one - I stay at home.  That's like letting squirrels loose in my home, who would do that?  My day revolves around playdates, storytelling times, crafts and music classes, and we do those activities anywhere but home!

My job is actually more precisely described as referee, personal assistant, chef and personal driver to the most rowdy unthankful crew you have ever encountered.  "Mom" might describe me when I walk a child down the aisle on her wedding day or as my child thanks me passionately during his acceptance speech at the Academy Awards, but, it very barely describes my job today.  I am mostly un-showered, under-slept, and certainly don't watch daytime TV, as the job was sold to me.

And to think I gave up a six-figure salary that entitled me to lunch in a clean restaurant with adult conversation in exchange for constant trips to the library, grocery store and pediatrician's office, none of which require a quarter of the education I personally paid for.

But...

When those big, innocent eyes look up at you at the end of the day silently telling you that nothing else matters in the world except you, its compensation enough to throw your exhausted body into bed for the short night with thoughts of yet one more overly planned day, knowing that nothing in your life will ever be as important as the impact you have on your child.

Nothing.