Comments on: The Job of Motherhood

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:59:05 +0000

… as I sit here eating a tub of whipped cream

By: charmaine

charmaine — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:38:43 +0000

So THAT’S what I missed.

At 48 with no children I’m reduced to luring over the neighbours boys with popsicles and clever threats to spray them with my garden hose as they squeel, run away then return for more punishment, and popsicles, of course.

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:06:17 +0000

The other half of momalom here. This is such an excellent post. I’m so glad to have found you through Sarah. My oldest just started kindergarten, and the days that I’m home (I work part time) already are so different. I hope you’re not too tuned in to Judge Judy. There must be some Millionaire re-runs on.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:08:23 +0000

Hey. It’s Me. That one who like so throw the f-bombs around on twitter. For fuck’s sake, Wendi, that was a damn fine essay.

No, seriously. I rushed through every step with my first born. I admired his ability to advance so effortlessly to the next level of life. Crawling, walking, talking, schooling, etc… I loved every minute of it. I waited for each next step. I stayed home with him and mastered the mom thing.

But then I went back to work. And I had more kids. I welcomed more love and chaos into my life. Through the births of #2 and #3 I continued to work part-time. Babies slept under my desk at work. They moved on to sitters at home. Having three kids wore me out and I thought that maybe, just maybe, I’d be a better mom if I worked full-time. The itty bitty amount of extra income would help, too. And I would pull out less hair if I had a daily break from them. (shit, this is turning into it’s own post…so sorry…don’t normally do this)

Anyway, NOW… now I WANT to stay home. I want to quit this job. I want to spend my days with my kids, not just thinking about them. Because how you feel right now? – now that both your boys are in school and you are left with hours to fill – that’s how I feel right now too. The work I do isn’t satisfying at all. And I miss them. Like crazy. So fire me! I’d rather wait 4 or 5 years to miss them when they go off to school, thankyouverymuch.

Oh, and just for fun: FUCK!

By: Annje

Annje — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:19:47 +0000

Great post! but it seems you have convinced one of the commentors that having two is a breeze-haha–one of the other things no one tells you.

I had a job interview at 8 1/2 months pregnant–ahh that’s fun, then I didn’t even get it; I should sue.

By: gray matter matters

gray matter matters — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:17:20 +0000

Geeze, pretty damn insightful for a blonde! Let me know when you figure any of it out. I am soooo where you are, except sorely lacking in motivation. So I just mostly spend my time being jealous of everyone else’s “luck” (fine they work like dogs while I twitter, but what-ever).

I think what you’re talking about is pretty common–I read The Ten-Year Nap and it rocked me, in a “what the hell am I doing with my life” kinda way.

Great post.

By: christine

christine — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:31:05 +0000

this is the best SAHM entry i’ve read in ages.

my 5 year old just started Kinder, so i’m home with an almost 8 month old…

very different experience…

By: p-huong

p-huong — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:05:54 +0000

I’d spend my time learning how to play the ukulele, basically preparing myself for retirement: I’d have a beach front house, spend my early mornings surfing, and after breakfast, I’d sit on my front porch with a gorgeous view of the ocean, and sing and strum along on my ukulele. Wanna join me?

By: DM

DM — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:30:55 +0000

I am all for you writing more.]\]\
I’m trying to type with a small kitten sprawled over my keyboard and my arm. Not working very well. Anyway, loved this post. Helps je get an idea of what my sister is going through!

By: ms picket to you

ms picket to you — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:21:06 +0000

i, like you, finally got to this day: my youngest of three started school.

i thought i would cry. i didn’t. i think i was too worried about the science of getting three to where they needed to be.

today, his sniffles and fever kept him home from school. he looked so tiny on the couch all snotty, and it stopped me.

my baby.

By: K

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:48:46 +0000

As somebody who is currently the size of a whale (and raging hormoans) I’m glad to know it goes smoother with the arrival of number two.

I can totally relate to this. I had it all figured out – and then I became a mom and realized and I really have no idea what I want to do when I grow up, but I think it involves being home when school isn’t in.

By: Mary Ann

Mary Ann — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:07:01 +0000

You nailed it again. You remain my hero.

The thing that sucks here is that I had to return to work before my baby went to Kindergarten. I’m still dreaming of the Judge Judy/underwear/ice cream eating days.

By: Mother Of Three

Mother Of Three — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:57:48 +0000

Well. As I also found myself in a similar situation someday, I’m now a proud mother of THREE kids

This time (the youngest will also start kindergarden, soon) I’ll vote for another option.

I’m glad to have more time on my own in a few weeks. But I’m also very sad that I’ll never again have such a cute and fragile newborn. It’s exhausting to have kids. And it’s the most wonderful thing in the world. (Please remind me of this daily, ’cause I tend to forget this fact when they’re NOT asleep

By: madmad

madmad — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:10:26 +0000

Awww…. this is still one of my faves! And, um.. when you figure out what it is you’ll be doing.. couldja let me know? I’m STILL not sure…

By: Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:05:42 +0000

You’re going to come take my job and then I’m going to be a stay-at-home mom like I want.

Oh. Did I mention you’re going to work my job, but I’m going to keep the money?

Yeah. That’s the catch.

By: Angelica

Angelica — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:51:49 +0000

I remember when my mother had this auspicious occasion happen to her. She decided to follow us to school and started working at my youngest sister’s elementary school. And she loves it:)

By: s bright

s bright — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:37:29 +0000

Gosh, I look forward to reading your posts! They are like a quickie little sparkler at the end of my long day.

If you’re looking for something to do with your days, give me a call. I’ve got a silent auction that needs a monitor and I promise I won’t out bid you on chiropractic services that land my husband in spine surgery…

By: Tracy Wells

Tracy Wells — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:47:31 +0000

Your boys are exactly the same age as mine. Even though I’ve been working outside the home all this time, I’ve found it to be quite a big change to have them both in “big-boy” school now. It seems you no longer get used to things being one way, then all the rules change…

By: Claudia

Claudia — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:55:02 +0000

wow, not only does this ring familiar, it sounds almost exactly like my story….never wanted to stay at home, got knocked up fast (never listen to those friends who insist, “start trying now you never know how long it will take!”) (it take one. time. only), got laid off, got caught up in babystuff, decided it was too overwhelming to reinvent my career at that point yet started a small business (maternity product, seemed like a good idea)….fast forward 4 years and full time preschool…move from NYC to austin…what do i do now? i suspect i’ll be unpacking boxes for awhile, but i’ve finally taken up blogging and might just – gasp – have to get a J. O. B…

By: Nap Warden

Nap Warden — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:10:12 +0000

Same story here…only replace Judge Judy with Law & Order. Talk about a show that’s on a lot…