The Stay-at-Home-Mom (SAHM) role is always loaded. I mean that in both senses of the word. Loaded with things to do and loaded with controversy. Many people can’t imagine how we must be able to afford for me “not to work”. Others simply state “It must be nice”! Yeah, I sit at home and eat bonbons all day! Then in the newspaper recently, an article about how much “leisure time” moms have… This included exercise and other things that are just time fillers…
Today, after my walking Shadow, I ate breakfast and dressed to go get James out of school for a dentist appointment. It was the second trip to the dentist in a week, because the first time, when I took the younger two sibs, James had exams. (The newspaper article says time in the car with kids counts as childcare.)
After the dentist and re-deposit at school, I came home for lunch and bonbon time. I consider the early afternoon “down time” since when the kids get home starting around 3pm, I am hands on with work. Back to bonbons. I made my lunch on a tray and went to sit in my big comfy chair to catch up on recorded TV. Two hours. Including a slice of lemon meringue pie! Hate me if you must.
The phone rings shortly thereafter. A good friend ill and needs me to care for her young (almost 2yrs) one. Of course I will. The work begins. As soon as I have her in and settling, James shows up from school with one of his buddies. SO, zero to three in less than 30 minutes! Snacks for the boys. Toddler exploring and climbing. Less than an hour later, buddy leaves and the revolving front door shoves in Kate and Alexander from the school bus. More snacks this time including Toddler. Maybe 30 minutes later, Toddler’s big Sis comes over to “help”. Can you say “bonbons”?
Dinner time is fast approaching. I set them all around the table to snack and do homework. Not much focused work gets done, but I snapped the pic above. The homework is merely an excuse to contain the mayhem so I can get the chicken and brocoli chopped and the pasta water to boil. Ill momma calls feeling somewhat better after her rest. 
I pack up two girls; one in and one pushing the stroller and send them on their way home. Fifteen minutes later, dinner is almost done and hubby is walking in that revolving door to his three happy kids and wife hugging as a group.
We share dinner, some silly banter, quick kitchen clean up,and hop into the van for church. We actually made it there on time!
Home again and marching orders are issued for PJs and teeth brushing and bedtime.
One hour later. I sit. Full from all my bonbons.
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