Staying Home With Kids Or Not

I was browsing through a parenting magazine that I receive every month and came across a very interesting article about working moms vs. stay-at-home moms.  It was talking about the difference between the two; the benefits and the disadvantages.  The guilt that both sides face.  They also discussed the term "mommy wars" which is something that has been going on for many years.  I don't understand it.  Whether or not we choose to stay at home or go to work after having children is a decision we make that is best for our family.  Just as deciding to formula feed or breastfeed is our decision that needs no criticizing.  Most mothers work because they need the money for bills or they need the insurance.  That's very understandable.  Some mothers choose to work so they can use that money towards family vacations or their children's college education.  I can understand that one too.  I mean, the cost of living is insane and the cost of college tuition is crazy.  I admire all working mothers no matter what the decision may be ... except one. 

Yes, I'm going to write about this. 

In the article were a list of reasons why women choose to work or stay home.  One answer from a working mom seemed to confuse me and it's an excuse I've heard a few of my mommy friends make. 

I couldn't be a stay-at-home mother because being at home all day with the kids would drive me crazy. 

I don't even know what to say on that.  If your only reason for going to work is to get away from your kids then I have to ask why did you even have kids to begin with? 

My decision to be a stay-at-home mom was simply because the cost of daycare was more than we wanted to pay.  I mean, if I would have gone back to my job most of the paycheck would have gone to childcare and it didn't seem worth it to either me or my husband.  Also, we both believed that my time would be better spent at home with the kids until they both went to school.  I can't say being at home with them all day/every day is easy.  There are moments when I feel I'm about to lose my patience.  A good example is this morning when I couldn't get my twenty-three month old to settle down from one temper tantrum after another.  She's almost two and is at the age where she's testing her limits and not understanding why she can't have her way.  My son never acted up like this so handling this behavior is something I'm new at and learning how to deal with.  Being at home is very monotonous.  It isn't often I get a break and yes I do feel it's important for every mother to have me time.  But to say out loud that you would go crazy if you were home with them all day?  I just don't get it.  It sounds cruel to me.  Trust me, I know all about "going crazy" from time to time.  It's not easy; however, I would never choose to put work or anything else before my kids simply because I couldn't stand to be around them. 

I don't mean to push anyone's buttons here.  I know this is a sensitive topic for most mothers.  These "mommy wars" are ridiculous.  Deciding to be at home or to go to work doesn't make you better.  You do what works for you and your family.  I have a mix of working moms and stay-at-home friends and family that I admire very much.  It's the whole "I have to work because my kids would drive me insane" attitude that rubs me the wrong way. 

Enjoy every moment you have with your children whether it be all day or just a few hours a day because they grow up too quickly.  It's completely worth it. 

Shopping Success

Clothes shopping is something I do not enjoy, especially for myself.  Since I've been losing weight I didn't have a pair of shorts that fit.  I searched so many places and couldn't find anything.  What is with the style these days?  It's hard to find a pair of shorts and pants that don't look like they've been bleached or have holes and rips in them.  Finally, last week I went to KMart and found two pairs that I like ... and are a size smaller than I ever thought I could be.  Score! 

Today I went to a kid's consignment shop on the other side of town.  They are having a $1 clothing sale today and tomorrow so I decided to stop in and see what they had available.  I was expecting a large crowd and only a limited amount of clothes available but it wasn't so bad.  I managed to get four shirts for Matthew.  Nothing for Brianna.

I love striped shirts on boys.  It makes them look so grown up. 

The kids and I also went to Walmart because I've been desperately looking for a pair of sandals for Brianna.  She has one pair and the Velcro broke.  They also seem to be too dressy to wear anywhere.  I wanted her to have a pair she could wear when we go to the water park, public pool near my parents' house and the beach.  I searched in many stores in the last several weeks but couldn't find anything in her size.  Finally, today I found something at Walmart.  Not exactly what I was looking for but this will do.

When it comes to clothes for the kids we've been very fortunate to have family and friends who have been passing their childrens' clothes down to mine.  My son gets most of his clothes from my nephew.  Brianna got most of her clothes from a neighbor and also my cousin's daughter.  We've been quite lucky in that aspect.  Kids grow fast and don't stay a certain size for long. 

Hagerstown, Maryland

Yesterday Rob and I took the kids on an out of state trip to Maryland.  We make a trip to Hagerstown every 6 months so my engagement ring can be cleaned and inspected in order to keep the warranty.  My husband, who worked in Hagerstown at the time, bought my engagement ring at a jewelry store there.  Well, there is no other jewelry store located near us so we have to make the trip twice a year.  It takes a little over an hour to get there and we don't mind going at all.  It's a beautiful town with a lot to do. 

So we went to the jewelry store to drop my ring off and then let the kids play in the play area inside the mall for awhile.  Then we headed to a park nearby.  It's a park we had been to before we were married and have always planned to go back.  It's called City Park and located in downtown Hagerstown.  The park is huge and we enjoyed a hike around the lake watching the ducks and spotting the fish swimming around.  There are three playgrounds but the kids only played at two of them.  We didn't have a chance to visit the train and art museums but I'm not sure the kids would have enjoyed them anyway.  I give this park two thumbs up. 

It was a nice day and I love any chance we get to spend as a family.  My husband works forty hours a week Monday through Friday and by the time he gets home it seems like we're too busy getting things done around the house so the chance we get to go out and have family time is enjoyable. 

4th Of July Fun

Happy Independence Day (1 day late).  I hope it was good for you!  I can't put it into words just how grateful I am to be an American and being part of this great nation.  Freedom wasn't handed to us.  It was fought for.  I can't say I'm happy with the direction our country is going lately but I'm still grateful (and I'll leave it at that). 

We stayed at home most of the day and had my parents over for a barbecue.  Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, kielbasa, baked beans and I made potato salad the same way my mother always made it (sorry not sharing that recipe).  I also made some desserts. 

I made Matthew a red, white and blue drink I saw on Pinterest.  It didn't come out as perfect as it should have but Matthew liked it.  First you add ice, then cranberry juice or fruit punch (I chose cranberry), then blue Gatorade.  The recipe also says to add Sprite last but he doesn't like carbonated drinks so I left that out.  

I made cupcakes but I regret this.  24 cupcakes for 6 people?  There is so much left but I guess it will be nice for Rob and the kids to enjoy.  Anyone want a cupcake?

This is a dessert I found on Brianna's High Five magazine.  So yummy!  First you crush some strawberries with a fork and put them on the bottom.  Then add vanilla yogurt.  Then blueberries and a little more yogurt.  Then top it off with crushed sugar cookies.  Matthew said he wants me to make this again. 

Of course, The 4th of July isn't complete without watching fireworks.  We sat outside of a nearby church so we could see the ones that were shooting off from the city.  I am not an expert on how to take firework photos so this was the best I could get. 

Then back home to play with sparklers before going to bed. 

First (Temporary) Tattoo

My little 22-month old wanted to be like her big brother, who always insists on having a temporary tattoo on him.  This is her first one.  She loves her little giraffe. 

First Day of Summer

Yes!  We have officially made it to summer.  Aside from the dreadful humidity I really enjoy so many things about this season.  The warm weather, swimming, riding my bike (yeah, I need to get that thing out of the garage and wipe the dust off), bringing the kids to different parks and playgrounds, barbecues, ball games, the nearby amusement park and well ... anything outdoors.

This summer I am going to strive to make it as fun as possible with the family.  The television will be turned off for most of the day while we spend as much time outside in the fresh air.  The mornings are the best time to be outside before the humidity kicks in.

Today I decided to put the housework aside and just have fun with the kids.  I spend so much time worrying about what needs to be done and need to remind myself that it's more important to make enough time to play and enjoy life.  I took the kids in the backyard and played in the sand box, on the swing set and even had a water gun fight before the two of them splashed in the baby pool.  Brianna, who is usually fussy about getting wet, didn't seem to mind getting squirted or soaking in the pool.

Then we headed inside for lunch and laid Brianna down for her nap.  Matthew and I played one round of Chuggington (one of his favorite board games) and then I allowed him to play some video games while I did my exercise routine.  Now I'm giving myself a moment to blog before everything begins again.  Actually, Matthew is begging for a snack so I guess my time is up.

Wishing everyone a happy and fun summer. 

Monday, Monday

Hello readers ... I hope you enjoyed your weekend.  As usual, it went by too quickly.  The yard sale was Saturday and we made out better than I had expected.  My husband is awesome when it comes to selling things so I let him be in control for most of the time.  I don't know what I'd do without that man sometimes.  While the yard sale was going on the roofers started working on our house.  Yes, we're in the process of getting a new roof.  It desperately needed done.  The back half is complete and I wish I had a decent picture to post on here but I will once it's all complete.  They still need to do the front half of the house but because rain is in the forecast for the next two days they won't be back until Wednesday. 

Sunday was Father's Day.  I can't afford to spoil my husband as much as I'd like to but we did get him a few gifts, one was a mug Matthew had made in school last month, and a few handmade cards as well.  We relaxed at home for most of the day.  I can't say everything went perfectly especially when the cabinet over the downstairs bathroom fell and crashed on Matthew while he was going to the bathroom.  I don't know how it happened and he still won't admit to anything but the poor boy has a little gash on his back and said his head hurt.  I heard a crash and then a scream so we rushed down the stairs to see what happened.  I was expecting a lot worse, let me tell you. 

I called my dad to wish him a Happy Father's Day and I could tell by the sound of his voice that he was depressed so I suggested that we meet him for dinner.  Our treat.  That cheered him up.  My parents and I are the only family here in Pennsylvania, the rest live on Long Island.  So he had no one to visit him and spoil him and I was the only one who could make that happen.  I wish I could do more for that man.  You see, over a year ago he retired and had so many plans to vacation and fish.  Well, those plans were cut short when my mom had a stroke.  We thought that was it for her but she survived and is improving all the time.  She still can barely walk on her own and needs a lot of help.  My dad is spending his retirement as her caregiver.  I'm the only one close by that can offer any help.  He's worn out.  He's tired.  He needs a break every now and then.  But he always seems to be in good spirits.  I know my mom wouldn't have made such progress without him. 

So that brings us to today.  Monday.  Another week has started.  I'm not particularly a fan of Mondays since it's the first day Rob is back to work.  Right now Brianna is napping and my mom is resting on my couch.  My dad took Matthew to the movie theater to see the new Superman movie.  So, this is one of his breaks.  Since my mom's stroke she gets tired a lot and naps every afternoon.  So I'm sitting on my bed in my room playing on my laptop and doing my best to remain quiet so my mother and daughter can both sleep. 

There's so much that needs done around the house but I don't want to make any noise.  Plus, this down time for myself is nice. 

On tonight's menu I plan on making a Chicken Parmesan Casserole recipe I found on Pinterest.  Oh I can't express just how much I love Pinterest.  It has saved me from many nights when I didn't know what to cook.  Pathetic, right?  I always hated cooking.  I would stand in the kitchen and panic because I didn't know what to do.  Plus, let's face it, my husband had me spoiled.  He loves to cook and was always so great at it.  So I was used to leaving it up to him.  I realized how unfair that was, even though he said he doesn't mind it.  I really want to be a good housewife and have dinner ready for him when he comes home from work.  I'm getting better and better at it and yes, I've finally found a love for cooking!  I still get picked on by my husband and family members for not being a cook ... but hey, I'm trying! 

Well, until the ladies wake from their nap I guess I'll hang out online and read up on some blogs and see what everyone else has to say.  Have a great week y'all!