Week Thirty-Two: Back to School

How did summer go by so fast? I mean, I realize according to the calendar and the weather it is still summer. It is only mid-August, after all. But for me, it is already time to go back to work.

I so so so wish that I had been blogging at this time last year because I would have loved to compare this post to one a year ago. Last year at this time I was getting ready to leave my almost 4 month old little baby in the hands of a woman I liked, but didn't really know. I was a nervous wreck. Would she like him? Would he cry all day and she would kick him out? Would I pump enough? Would I cry all day?

This year is so much different! Over the summer we had a couple play dates with Miss Katie, so O wouldn't forget her. He is always excited to go to her house and play with her and with his friends. Seeing his excitement playing at Katie's house just a week before he went back to daycare made this year's back to school so much easier.

Afternoon snuggles after my first day back. Selfies, of course. 

One of the hardest things we do as parents is to leave our babies with someone else. I am so lucky to have found someone who truly loves our little guy. The trust I have in her to keep him safe and loved is priceless. {Not literally priceless though. Daycare is expensive!}

I feel myself slipping into a SAHM vs Working Mom post {labels that irritate me}. And I don't want to do that. I don't want to ever post things that pit mom against mom. But I do want to put this out there into internet land: Please, please stop saying things like "being a mom is the most important job you'll have" as a reason that people such as myself should "make more sacrifices" in order to stay at home. Even if you're not using it as a reason someone should stay home, that phrase just carries such a condescending tone to me. It seems to imply that because I have another job, I have chosen the wrong thing. There is no wrong thing! This is the thing that gets me most about this: guess what? Being a dad is the most important job Mike will ever have, too. Should we both stay home? Probably not? Ok then.

I know that comes off as super sassy, but it makes my heart hurt when people say crap like that. Would I like to stay home if I could? Yes no yes Maybe? Ideally I think I'd like to work part time, but that isn't our reality. And that's ok! I am a firm believer in every person following their own path. This is what my path looks like. It isn't what everyone's path looks like, nor should it be!

Some of my dearest friends stay at home with their babies. Am I judging them? Not even a little bit. Are they judging me? I surely hope not! I think I have made sure my mama village is filled with pretty cool cats who are above such judging.

Ok. Now lets all hold hands and sing or something. ;)

Happy back to school season!

xoxo
-H