What it Takes to Be a Modern Stay at Home Mom

I am a stay at home mom. The title "stay at home mom" doesn't make you envision anything special, other than a woman that wipes snotty noses and changes diapers, but to me, it means something so much more.

A lot of other stay at home moms understand what I mean, I budget, cook, clean, raise and educate my pre-school child, plus generate income to pay the bills of modern life. While the mothers of my mother's generation were a bit more Betty Crocker, being a stay at home mom today takes a little more.

I don't report to an office every morning to slave away for a corporate boss and send my kid to daycare; I have to dictate my schedule myself, and prioritize the things that matter most in my life.

My pre-school son, who is three, is potty trained, can spell his name, recognize most of the alphabet and can count to 20 by himself. Some people would say "So what?" But anyone who has spent any time working with small children knows how tedious teaching the preschool child can be. Just getting a child between the ages of two and three out of bed and functioning in the morning is an accomplishment.

Other than planning a stimulating and educational day for my three year-old, I have to plan for and budget the monthly expenses of life, run assorted errands including grocery shopping and appointments, schedule and manage appointments for the whole family, plan and cook nutritious meals, do dishes, laundry, keep the house clean, and then make a little money before the day is done to help alleviate the costs of every day living. And then, if time allows, remember to take care of myself too.

Being a stay at home mom today is hard, it's a 24/7 job with no pay and few benefits other than the hugs and kisses from my son and the knowledge that he is learning and growing in this crucial time of his life, from me. So for all you moms out there that think you can't possibly stay home and enjoy this time with your kids, I 'm here to tell you that it is most certainly possible, with a little energy and patience.