A Glimpse into Life Before Becoming a Stay-at-Home Mom

home insemination Kit

For the first two years of my first child’s life, I was a working mom. I dropped my little one off at daycare when he was just five months old, armed with bags of frozen pumped milk, a bit of formula for good measure, diapers, and a change of clothes. I would arrive at the daycare around 7 AM, tearfully saying goodbye and driving to work with a heavy heart. I’d pick him up between 5:30 and 6 PM, drive home, whip up dinner, feed him, and then attempt to enjoy the evening.

Life was tough. My husband and I didn’t know each other for long before we had a baby and tied the knot, so adjusting to married life was a challenge. We had our share of arguments, and on top of that, I was grappling with the whirlwind that is motherhood. To make matters worse, my job felt like it was straight out of a sitcom, complete with a boss who had all the charm of a character from The Office.

During that time, I often fantasized about being a Stay-at-Home Mom. I envied their seemingly perfect lives, filled with time to cook, clean, and engage in intellectually stimulating activities with their kids. I’d roll my eyes at their Facebook posts about their struggles. “Oh please,” I thought, “you have it so easy—you don’t even know what hard is!”

When my second child arrived, I made the decision to quit my job. I was ecstatic at the thought of finally having the time to tackle my to-do list—clean the house, finish my projects, and reclaim my sanity! But the reality of being a stay-at-home parent hit me like a freight train.

Honestly, I think my home was cleaner when I was working. I only get about an hour to myself each morning before the kids wake up. Sure, I could use that time to clean, but that would be pure madness! Instead, I choose to use that hour for myself, and then I’m left to pick up after two energetic little tornadoes for the rest of the day. Eventually, I just throw my hands up and think, why bother?

As for the dishes, they never truly seem to get done. Just when I unload the dishwasher, someone needs a snack, a drink, or something else. It’s a never-ending cycle!

I thought being home would help me get my life in order and give me time to focus on my passions, but instead, I swapped one set of demands for another. Now, instead of a boss asking for reports on pointless tasks, I have two (and then three!) tiny humans who need constant attention, diaper changes, feedings, and more.

You might expect me to wrap this up with a sentimental reflection on how being a Stay-at-Home Mom is rewarding despite its challenges, but I can’t say that with certainty. I’m genuinely unsure whether quitting my job was the right choice or if my kids are better off with me at home. But one thing is clear: the dishes are still piling up.

If you’re exploring options for starting a family and want to know more about home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the CDC. And for those interested in the logistics of DIY insemination, you can find helpful insights at Make a Mom’s Impregnator. For additional tips on home insemination, visit Intracervical Insemination.

To summarize, the transition from working mom to stay-at-home mom is often romanticized, but the reality can be quite different, filled with challenges that can leave you questioning your choices.