Kimberly Muro is the honest, supportive, talented writer behind Mama’s Monologues. Her posts are oh-so-relatable (I may have had one of these exact days….many times). She’s not afraid to share when she’s struggling, which is always refreshing for the rest of us to read.
Kim is also a fabulous designer, and such a pleasure to work with. She could not be more understanding or accommodating when it comes to getting your design just right.
In a few shorts weeks, I’ll be welcoming her to the Mom of Four Club (of which I am most definitely NOT the president). I can’t wait to hear all about her newest precious bundle!
You can (and should) follow Kim on Twitter, Facebook, and her blog.
Welcome, Kim!
Several years ago I left my job and decided to stay at home, full time, with my kids.
I had visions of endless play time, flexible schedules, and multiple outings each week.
I saw lazy afternoons, peaceful mornings, and routines that were worked around us.
I wanted it all. I was ready for it.
So I did it.
I jumped in to this new role at home.
I was prepared for my visions of days filled with ease to come to life.
Instead I was hit with a major dose of reality.
Our mornings race by in a blur.
The moodiness and stubbornness get the better of the 2 foot tall bosses in the next room.
The days are spent running behind a toddler, cleaning up the mess as he races on to the next adventure.
Plans and play dates that were previously made need to be cancelled or rescheduled or forgotten altogether.
There is no time to eat. To sit. To breathe.
It’s a race against time.
My visions weren’t accurate.
My expectations were completely skewed.
My days are spent in a fog, treading through the waters of motherhood.
I am shaken from my dreams of relaxing days and flexible schedules by a child’s cry for Mommy at 2:00 am.
My head spins, my muscles ache, and my thoughts are jumbled.
But through it all, my heart is full.
It’s hectic. Chaotic. And frustrating.
But I’m here. Spending my days alongside of my children.
Watching them grow. Seeing them smile. Unfolding their adventures.
I get to hear their laughter and giggles all day long.
I get to comfort all of their boo-boos and dry all of their tears.
I’m here when they wake up and am able to put them to sleep every day.
And to me? That is the best job in the world.
I wouldn’t change a thing.
"But I’m here. Spending my days alongside of my children."
Yes to that. And to you moms of multiple young ones: you are officially my heroes.
I have just the two (not that there is anything *just* about parenting) but they are almost 13 and almost 15; already halfway grown and out of my house…maybe.
If I could change one thing about my experience it would be to have stayed home sooner. But that's easy for me to say because I didn't. I waited until my son was in fourth grade and my daughter was in third.
So yes, I got to volunteer in the classroom and go on some field trips and finally be somewhat flexible; but I wasn't in the nitty gritty of it like you are.
So Greta, Kim, my hat's off to you both. (Even though I'm not wearing one.)
And also good luck.
Plus maybe some deep breaths 😉
You go, mama.
Oh yes, deep breaths are a regular part of my day!
I know we can't ever get these days back, so even when they're hard, I try to remember this!
Sometimes it's hard, but I do try to remember that too. It goes by so fast.
Oh yes, the reality of being a SAHM can be a huge shock to the system. But at the same time, I can't imagine being anywhere else, even on the really crappy days.
Oh no, me either. When the topic of going back to work came up I couldn't even discuss it. This is where I need to be.
Thank you for having me today! And for such kind words!
It's not always easy, but it's worth it, right? Oh, and that mom of 4 club comes with a lifetime supply of wine, right? RIGHT?!? 😉
If there is a lifetime supply of wine for that mom of 4 club I haven't gotten mine yet!!
This such an amazing reminder that through the chaos, is them.
Le sigh.
Love this one, Kim!
Even through the hard times, their smiles shine through making it easier to get through it all.
It is such a hard job and not all that I expected. I won’t lie I was one of those working women who used to think that SAHM were….hold it…lazy. Yup said it. My sister in laws house was never clean and she always whined about being tired.
Then I had a child and open mouth insert foot.
Yup. Big cuppa reality.
Love you Kim name twin.
Oh I know several of those people too and it does give you a false impression of what we really do. Now I can't even go to the bathroom alone!
Love you, name twin.
It is the hardest job there is. Yet the most underestimated job.
And it is all for them, our precious little gems.
Oh yes, definitely. And underappreciated most of the time.
Here, here!!!
I wish that I was able to stay home with my kids and spend more time with them. It's just not in the cards right now…. but I try to spend as much time with them as possible from the moment that I leave work until they go to bed.
You're spending the time with them, and that's what matters. In all honesty I don't know how you juggle everything. I'm in awe of it.
Oh, I hear you on every level. Except sometimes I want to go out. For hours. And shop. Quietly. And I don' t think that's too much to ask. Happy Mother's Day!
Oh I would love for a few hours to myself, too!
Amen, Sister! I literally laughed out loud at "playdates forgotten". That is me, right now! There are days that I had such high hopes and at the end of the day, I have to ask, "Did everyone eat?" Where does the day go and why does it go so fast?
Oh gosh, there are so many days when my husband comes home, asks what we did all day and I have no answer for him. I hate days like that.
I hear this. I had such high expectations for myself and staying home, and sometimes I feel extremely guilty for not making them a reality. But I hug them and hold them and hope I'm doing enough 🙂
That's what matters. And you are doing enough. 🙂
Isn't there an expression, anything worth having doesn't come easy – or something like that?
Enjoy the trenches, you are making memories every day, and at the end of it all, we remember the good stuff!
There is and I so agree. The memories of this will stay with us forever and I want to hold on to that.
I needed to hear this today. Im elbow deep in chasing after the boys that Im forgetting why Im doing this in the first place. This time with them is so fleeting, and its going by so quickly. Thanks for the reminder Kim!
Oh I so wish it didn't go by as fast as it does. I'm still searching for that pause button!
I wouldn't trade spit up and tantrums for well, spit up and tantrums, except the latter is in the corporate world 🙂
Haha! I'd much rather deal with it at home than the nonsense in the corporate world.
Being a SAHM is the toughest job I've ever had but, like you I wouldn't trade it for anything.
It sure is the hardest job. And usually with the least recognition.
Yes to all of it. Sigh, it's the hardest, worst paying job I've ever loved….
I totally agree. Though we're paid in kisses and hugs, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.
You are spending your days in the best way possible.
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I do relate to this. It is so easy to idealize the experience of being a SAHM. I have friends who work full-time and I know they imagine that my life is all finger-painting and muffin-baking. That's fair enough because all I see when I look at their lives is kick-ass shoes and lunches at fancy places with cloth (!) napkins and tablecloths. Being a SAHM isn't what any of us imagine it to be at the start, but it is a lifestyle that allows us to make the most of a period of time which slips away in the blink of an eye. I think you captured this beautifully in this piece!