To the Stay-at-Home Parent

I actually wrote these notes to myself in my journal quickly one afternoon.  It must have been about a year ago and I really needed some encouragement. Being a stay-at-home parent can be lonely sometimes and there seems to be a lot of pressure to do it all.  I know I feel the pressure to keep a clean house, raise well-behaved, well-rounded children, plan and prepare healthy and delicious meals, help with yard maintenance, and contribute to the family finances by saving money and earning income (usually blog income and ebay sales).  When you think about it, stay at home parents contribute A LOT to the family.  Yes A LOT is in bold because really it's like a TON.  

So here is some encouragement for all of my fellow stay-at-home parents.

Let me start with this, you are doing the most important job in the world!  It doesn't seem like it most days, but when you look back at your life, your children will mean more to you than any job ever did.  The days will seem long, even mundane in the everyday tasks that must be performed, but each task that you do and each moment that you spend with and for your children is essential to the happiness and well being of your family.  

All the things you do for those you love are done with love.  The laundry, bills, dusting, cooking, shopping...the chores are endless and never completely done, but necessary for the harmony in our homes.  The homework help, diaper changes, potty training, reading to our kids, lessons in morality and responsibility are essential to the well being of our children.  

Who better to do these things for their children than their own parents, whose unconditional love and devotion will help them to be their child's best teacher, role model, caregiver and when needed disciplinarian? 

So when someone asks you what you do, don't shrink and answer with "I'm just a stay-at-home parent" because you are so much more than that! Stand up tall with your head held high and proclaim, "I'm a stay-at-home Mom or Dad" because you are a REALLY BIG DEAL!

Linking up at Friendship Friday, Share the Wealth, Create with Joy, The Mommy Club, Do Tell Tuesday, Dream, Create, Inspire, Mommy Moments