Sunday, February 4, 2007

Part Time Parent

I once saw an episode of the Super Nanny, where she told a father that being a Dad wasn't a job where you clocked in & out of, it was full time 24/7 job. And I couldn't agree more!! As a mother I am at my job 24/7, there is no break for me.

I love my hubby, he does so much for us. He does work 2 jobs, 1 he works Mon-Fri & the other one he works every Sat. While I appreciate all this, I would really love for him just to help me with the kids every once in awhile, I don't think that's too much to ask, but I could be wrong.

Like today for instance, he is going to cut some firewood & Chandler wanted to go with him. I told him to ask his Dad, he said he didn't have room. His truck seats 4 people & he only had 3 in there. I told him that it was wrong of him not to let Chandler go, when he really wanted to. He tells me that it's always about me & what I want. And somehow I always get what I want. I'm always amazed that everything seems to be about me, never the kids. I tell the kids that they can stay with me, but they want to go. This is me, not them. It's not as though I tell them to ask their dad. I'm afraid one day they will get tired of it & want nothing to do with him. William is already feeling that way because Robert always takes Chandler places & the heck with William & Steven. Work is tough, but spending time with your kids isn't work & you shouldn't treat as something you have to do or hate doing.

I have been a SAHM for the past 4 yrs. Yes, I love the fact that I can be home with my kids, but I too long to have a break. I used to work part time when William was 4 & Chandler was 2. Then I got pg with Steven & I worked until 3 wks before he was born. But I have always wanted to go back. It just didn't make any sense for me to get a job making $8 an hr, 40 hrs a wk, to make $320 gross a wk, to pay $300 a wk in childcare. That's a pretty expensive break for mom. Since then I have applied for several jobs that seem to want to pay less then what my old job was paying & it's not enough to pay bills & daycare. Even when I worked, I still took care of the kids & the house all by myself.

I have no problem giving Robert a break, but when do I get one? I can't go many places by myself since I breast feed & Braeden doesn't take a bottle. At least Steven would take the occasional bottle & I could go to the store. When I do go somewhere, I have to take Braeden & at least 1 more kid. Most times it's Steven, Braeden & I. I love my kids, & I love my hubby, I just need some "ME" time!!!

3 comments:

  1. AHHHH! I SO hear ya, girl! I've decided that we are just wired differently, that men just flat out don't understand. I was talking to DH about a book called Sex starts in the Kitchen, or something like that. I heard about it from a friend. Talking about how women need so much more than men and that doing that dishes can get a woman in the mood--or taking the kids outside and telling mommy to get in the tub. How stuff like that was a surefire turn-on. The next day, I came home and dh had cleaned the kitchen, done dishes and the put the kiddo to bed. He was wanting something. :) But I REALLY enjoyed it. I think that we just have to be more concise about what we need from them.

    Know that you're not alone in this!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Are we married to the same husband? I swear men will NEVER understand!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aww, I'm so sorry! I totally know what you're talking about. I need to get away and get "me" time and I only have ONE baby! I can't imagine not getting that with FOUR! You're doing a great job, Mama! And hopefully your husband will start helping out! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete