What Do I Do All Day Anyway?

If you aren't or have never been a stay-at-home mom (or dad), you might wonder what someone does who stays home with her kids all day.  I know I did before becoming a full-time mom myself.  I didn't wonder about this in a malicious way, in a "what the H-E-double-hockey-stick-does-she-do-all-day?" kind of way.  I just wondered.  

Well.  Now I know.  So, what do I do all day?  Here's an idea:

I create mountains with couch cushions.  I encourage.  I insist "you can do it."  I cheer for accomplishments.  I help when necessary.  

I do laundry.  

Lass was having a really hard time climbing over this cushion and was getting frustrated watching her sister go up and down with ease.

I encouraged her to keep trying.

Here she's saying "I did it!"  I love that moment.

I have tea parties.  I color.  I read aloud.  I ask, "What color is this?"  "What does (fill in this blank with some animal) say?" "What sound does (fill in this blank with some letter) make?" "What do you think about that?"  All. day. long.  I sing songs.  I sound out words.  I count everything out loud.  I answer "Why?"  and "Why?" and "Why?"

I watch.  I praise.  I watch again.  And again.  And again.  I teach.  I spot.

Miss is really into working on headstands and handstands and showing off various other skills she is learning at gymnastics.  This reminds me of when my mom helped me learn how to do a cartwheel.  I wonder how many hours we spent working on them in our living room.  I want to do the same for my girls.

I kiss boo boos.  I teach manners.  And responsibility.  And problem solving.  And everything.

I discourage whining.  I try to reinforce more effective ways of communicating.  I try to teach my girls to be strong and direct.

I do laundry.

I referee fights over who gets to wear which headband.  Over who gets the little Cinderella doll (or "Wedda" as Lass calls her).  Over who gets to hold Baby Sis first.

I change diapers.  I wash diapers.  I fold diapers.

I nurse a newborn. I take forever to get out of the house.

I cook.  I clean up.  I cook.  I clean up.

I wipe mouths and noses and counters and hands and tables and rear ends.

I give baths.  I comb hair that is like silk.  I fix pony tails.  I say "You're beautiful."  "You're smart." "You're strong."  "You're funny."  

I do laundry.

Baby Sis right after a bath

I help to outfit Super Heros.

Daddy helps them to fly.

Sometimes they crash.

I do more laundry.

I give lots of hugs.  And kisses.  I snuggle.  I tickle.

Sometimes I just sit.  And watch.  And I'm thankful that I am fortunate enough to be able to do all of these things and so much more.  I wouldn't have it any other way.