"Spoiled"

"It's just different," she told me. "The quantity of time that you get to spend with them on a regular basis. It gives you different opportunities." This very intelligent, articulate, successful corporate career woman and mother relayed to me as we conversed the stay at home parenting lifestyle. "It's something you shouldn't take for granted," were her final words of wisdom that rang in my ear after our entertaining chat. I am the queen of taking things for granted. Not something I am particularly proud of but, hey, at least I can admit it.

This debate between stay at home parents and working parents continues to rock the parenting lifestyle conflict. Which parenting fashion, whether by choice or obligation, is most suited for the growing 21st century child? The working parent's child is exposed to a variety of social environments that can stimulate their development and growth, making them independent and ready to face life's challenges at an early age, whereas a stay at home parent's consistency and routine-like environment builds trust and confidence creating a successful and secure adult. Is it better to have a parent who has been refreshed throughout the day as they pursue their own goals and financial ambitions in a working environment and come home missing and craving that quality time with their child as opposed to the care of the overworked yet passionate undertaking of the ambitious stay at home parent? I say, who is to judge? Every child is different and has the potential to unyieldingly blossom in any caring and loving environment, whether it is headed by a parent that works outside the home or one who chooses the home as their full-time employment. She's right. Both options just give parents different opportunities.

As I sat back to contemplate this notion, I considered the very real prestige of my chosen occupation. Some parents work by choice, but others unfortunately do not. How many, I began to think, wish they could stay home and realistically provide their children with the same financial jurisdiction that a paycheck would bring had they chose the working lifestyle. But in this big, cold world, we've got to do what we've got to do to make a buck and some parents just can't afford to stay home. Here's where I come in. Not that I'm lavishing in an arena of wealth here, but every month I manage to make ends meet so I can privilege myself with the title of the modern day housewife. And here I am, guilty of the sin that plagues the entirety of humankind, taking it all for granted. I should be the one to rise above it. I've got it good. I'm able to stay home with my children when so many only wish for the same opportunity. And, here I am, complaining about the non-ending chores, the incessant childhood banter, the absent time I have just for me. Let me tell you, I've got some nerve.

So, this is an ode to the stay at home parent. The prestige and grace your position holds is so far more encompassing than the scrubbing toilets and changing diapers our job description requires. Here we are, basking in parenthood, uninterrupted. Sure, unlike our working-outside-of-the-home counterparts, we have seldom opportunities where we get to recharge and regroup. We're constantly in the threshold of raising; our children are our jobs.

But we have untradeable moments where we can sit on a park bench, soak up sun rays Monday noon, watching our sons and daughters play while the rest of the world works. We can cuddle up and sleep in the arms of our little ones for the mandatory afternoon nap. We take picnics on Spring days and use our children as an excuse to roll on the grass and feel like a kid again. We continuously cultivate our inner youth, laughing at silly jokes, making funny faces, excitedly twirling our little ones until they burst with smiles. We chant nursery stories with ease and rhythm and carry a sweet melody as we lull them to slumber. In our every action, every moment in front of their little eyes we are challenged to maintain our idealism, strengthen our optimism, pursue happiness. for them, so that they may be able to see how pretty the world can be. We grow with them not skipping a beat. And for that, I am truly grateful.

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