What do YOU do all day?

Recently I've been barraged with blog posts and opinion pieces on the subject of "stay at home parenting".  I read these articles and can relate.  There is a trend, it seems, to "justify" our choice to stay home with our children.   We need to stand tall and proud and constantly explain to others that what we do on a day-to-day basis is in fact A REAL JOB!!!!

I had a career outside the home.  I am teacher.  I've taught almost everything between junior kindergarten and grade 7.  I've supply taught.  I've picked up other teachers' maternity leaves.  I have been a French teacher and an English teacher.  I have worked for 4 different school boards and probably a dozen different schools.  I liked my job (on good days) and worked hard at it.  However, once I became a mother, I realized that the teaching position that is most important to me right now is that of "working" at home with my own children.  My teaching career has been put on hold for a few years while I devote my skill set and expertise to my children.  Some days I am at odds with this decision.  There are good days when I know with absolute certainty that I am doing the right thing for all of us.  There are other days where I mourn the loss of my 40 minute lunches, prep time, professional development and staff meetings.  I have yet to find a balance between my teaching life and my mothering.

I get to play with this happy boy all day!!

The other night James and I were out for supper to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary.  Even when given an evening away from home and our responsibilities as parents, the conversation still steers back towards our kids.  I had to confess during our conversation over drinks and dinner that even though I have a tendency to complain (A LOT) about how difficult it is to stay home with our 3 kids, that I am indeed thankful for this opportunity.  I enjoy it and am proud of the work I am doing. Shhhh...don't tell anyone!!!

So I won't make a laundry list about what I actually do in a day.  I think you know what goes on around here.  Somehow though, I am able to find small pockets of time to do the things that remind me of my  life outside of parenting.  This can be a trip to the gym, a few minutes with a good book or taking the time to write.  The reason that I am keeping up with this blog is mainly to document these busy days for my children.  There will be a digital record of our days and experiences.  I am not a scrap-booker.  I don't journal.  I take lots of photographs of my kids and I like to use the laptop.  This blog seems like a good fit.  Some day one of the kids might just take a few minutes, sit down with a cup of tea, and block out the sound of my grandchildren playing to read about their own childhood.  I hope I am telling their stories in a way that they will enjoy reading.