I am Michelle D. Carter

If I hear just one more time how EASY it is to be a stay-at-home Mom, I’m going to beat them down until they can’t get up and then ask them how they feel. Because that is how I feel. It is much easier to work outside the home than to work IN the home.

Yes, I do have advantages. I get to go to the gym every morning to workout. I get to hang out at the pool and work on my tan. However, my job NEVER ends! I am on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week including holidays. At least when you leave the office, you leave your boss and responsibilities; not to mention weekends and holidays.

I know that Tim works hard at work but so do I. And typically he understands that I need a break. However, lately it’s been a different story. It is my responsibility to get the kids around, fix breakfast, lunch and dinner, do dishes, clean house, do laundry, take out the trash, mow the yard, run the edger and trimmer, water the yard and plants. Not to mention that I’m also a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, the chair head to our Neighborhood Watch program and a blogger.

I do all of this while getting asked every five minutes, “Mom, where are you?” or “Will you help me?” or “Someone’s hurt.” So while it may seem these are little tasks, try doing them with three kids all needing something.

So, today, I called a babysitter. Yep, sure did. She’s going to come on Thursday and will take the kids to the pool for a couple of hours and I’m going to… I don’t know maybe just sit in total silence just because I can. I doubt it though, the house needs to be cleaned, I’ve got a scrapbook page I need to finish for a swap and there is always laundry to do.

Those couple of hours will go by way too fast. However, I’m going to try to re-group and take some time for me, before I go insane. Wait, I’m already there.

1. Bob (name changed to protect innocent spouse) Says:
   July 16th, 2008 at 4:31 pm

   Does “heat and serve” qualify as cooking?



2. Steve (name changed to ensure spouse’s safety) Says:
   July 16th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

   Doesn’t someone at the gym watch your kids while you’re at the gym? Wouldn’t that be considered a break?



3. Doug (Definitely not Tim) Says:
   July 16th, 2008 at 4:45 pm

   I heard there is a life guard at your neighborhood pool? Doesn’t this person keep an eye on your kids while you chat with friends and develop your lovely bronze glow?



4. Sally (Wrong gender to be Tim) Says:
   July 16th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

   I overheard you at the sporting goods store talking about buying additional work-out clothes so you could spend more time at the gym and less doing on laundry. This blog makes it seem you don’t appreciate all your husband does for you. He is way too good looking to treat this way.



5. Dr. Imakwac Says:
   July 17th, 2008 at 7:50 am

   (Tim was a finance major, so I’m certainly not him.)

   After reading this post, I have diagnosed your situation as a chronic case of AT-TO-DO-TOO-MU with acute hostility (I’m going to beat them down???) People who suffer from “ATtemp TO DO TOO Much” often feel overwhelmed, and in your case angry, by the amount of things they feel should be done.

   Instead of spreading the “to do” items over a timeline that could reasonably be accomplished, they feel the need to attempt to do it all NOW. Your list of responsibilities is impossible to complete over the next 8 hours. If you gave yourself 8 days, wouldn’t it doable?

   I’m certain that your devilishly handsome and extremely intelligent husband has told you that you try to do too much. Hopefully you’ll take the advice of a disinterested third party and self-proclaimed AT TO DO TOO MU expert, regardless of my fake my credentials.

   I have developed a two step treatment plan for you:

   First, stop trying to do too much at once. Take your projects and divide them over a reasonable timeline. Break the larger items into smaller units that can be accomplished.

   Second, you need to increase time spent “doing” your husband. How can you keep your hands off the man? Your hostility should dramatically decrease. Since you won’t be able to slap the smile off his face, he certainly won’t be complaining about dirty dishes or that he’s worn the same underwear for days.