Perks

I can't tell you how many times I have said the words "I am done. D.O.N.E!" to Joe as he walks in the door at night. More times than I can count. And my logical side knows just how unfair this is to him (and the kids). After I declare my doneness I typically drop everything and hide in my room for a couple minutes...sometimes...for a couple of hours. Okay a lot of times it is hours not minutes. The poor guy is tired too. And yet I just can't fathom mothering for one more minute so I quit temporarily.  [It is also during these times that my husband not-so-subtly suggests that if I am D.O.N.E. then perhaps I should be DONE having babies! Such a sensible man I married.]

All this end-of-my-rope business has me thinking. Pondering all of the benefits of being the stay-at-home parent. And not just the "I get to see all of my baby's firsts first" moments. Not the "I get to be the one that picks my child up from school and comfort him when he was bullied on the playground" moments. Oh wait. Joe was there for that one. Good thing too because I would have had at least an unkind word or two for that mean big kid. And not just the moments filled with snuggles, kisses and hugs. Yes ALL of those moments are fabulous. And I completely agree they are a HUGE perk of being the stay at home parent. 

But I am talking about the unspoken perks. The ones stay-at-homers enjoy but don't often discuss. Especially with the work-outside-the-home parent:) Like deciding this afternoon to do nothing while my girls napped. 

Sure I could have washed my floors. In fact I should have washed my floors (as I am having a party here tomorrow night)! But alas I did not wash those floors. Instead I did pretty much nothing. I took a hot bath and enjoyed a cold Pepsi. I responded to a few emails. And I blogged. Obviously:) So yeah. Pretty much nothing. 

And there it is, my favorite perk of being a stay-at-home parent. I can do as little or as much as I want (within reason!). As long as everyone is safe, fed and mostly clothed we are doing alright. That is a pretty sweet perk. And it is going to take A LOT of convincing for me to give up my afternoon naps and snacks - even on the days I declare I am done, I am not really done. I just need a break. 

The pay is crumby but the perks are PHENOMENAL!