Alli 'n Son » Guest Blogs

Today’s guest blog is by Jessie. Jessie blogs at VanderbitlWife.com, where she shares follies, failures, and the occasional success, as well as recipes and thoughts on faith. She lives in Chattanooga, TN, with her husband, Mr. V, and her 17-month-old daughter, Libbie.

I was so excited when I discovered Alli-N-Son. Why? Because there are few other moms out there who understand both ends of the stick: being a full-time working mom and being a stay-at-home mom. When I first stumbled upon this site, I was still on the full-time working mom end, but knew my time as a SAHM was on the horizon. Now I’m three months into this new gig. And oh, has it been something else.

On my own blog, I shared my Top Ten Surprises About Becoming a SAHM. With any new situation there are expectations–and expectations unmet. Amazingly, once I was at home full-time, I didn’t become June Cleaver. I was honestly surprised by that revelation. (All this in spite of the fact I KNOW I am a stinky housekeeper–hence the tag line of my blog: trying to be the housewife I’m not.) Neither did I find myself becoming eternally patient, crafty, a selfless wife, or able to keep up with the dishes any better than I did before.

What I have found, though, is that I love it.

I love knowing what my daughter is eating and when. I love knowing her little habits and which toys she’ll go to first and the other children with whom she is interacting. I love washing her curly little head and smelling the enchanting scent of Aveeno baby wash for hours afterward. I love that she is seeing me do housework, read, cook, exercise—all places where I hope she will learn by example. (I need to work on that exercising part more…)

When I was working, I knew in my heart that my place was at home. It just wasn’t an option with my husband still in graduate school. And for awhile, when we didn’t know WHAT his job situation was going to be come August 2009, we talked about me staying at my job. I was heartsick over the option.

When I am so frustrated at the toddler antics, the pulling all my cutting boards out of the cabinet, the crying and whining and throwing, the so-little-me-time I could scream, I try to sit, breathe, and remember that feeling. I loved my job, but I just knew it was not where I needed to be at this time in my life. At home is where I need to be right now. With this crazy, tear-inducing toddler. Who loves to give kisses and giggle and say “hi” and “bye” to anyone who will listen.

I love that we have an online community to support one another as we try to learn to be the best SAHMs, or WOHMs, or WAHMs that we can be. Alli’s been a great model for me during this new phase of life; and I hope I can be a mentor to someone else who’s considering the transition.

Show Jessie some love, leave her a comment or two.