Confessions of a "working outside the home" Momma

Let's face it, most Momma's work full-time whether it be in or outside of the home. On the other hand, I consider myself to be a "full-time" mother even though I am away from my daughter 10 hours a day. We are all working Mom's in some aspect or another. My life just happens to lead me to working outside the home.

I decided to make a list of "confessions"...not to be judged or analyzed, but just for some simple insight to a full-time "working outside the home" Momma who is in the early stages of motherhood.

-I love Luci's paci...probably more than she does. I keep delaying taking it away for a couple of reasons...a. I like the fact that she takes comfort in something when I am not around her for 10 hours a day. It's secure. It's always there. b. I mainly like the fact that I can plug the hole in the car when I need to. :-)

-I love the fact that Luci is really getting into potty training. However, truth be told...diapers are way easier...and faster.

-Sometimes I feel like all I do when I get off of work is come home to a tired, cranky, kid...so sometimes discipline is overlooked. I hate feeling like I'm discipling the second I get off of work.

-I try not to "sweat the small stuff." If Luci only wants cheese for dinner...eh, I'm too tired to fight with her over it. I'll just sneak some veggies in when she's not looking! :-)

-If it is a "battle of the wills" over something important (key word being important), this kid isn't winning. However, I am not going to have a "stand-off" with her about anything. I would be more likely to scoop her up, issue out a time-out, or whatever else is necessary. That does not work in our household. Our life is not going to be put on hold because she refuses to do something. There will be consequences. Period.

-Luci watches television. I know, I know...call the Mommy Police now...:-) Luci has two, sometimes 3 shows that are approved in the Minnick household. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Seasame Street, and Dora. Right now, anything else is no. I know there are PLENTY of other good, age-appropriate shows, but by just having a handful, it keeps her from wanting to watch multiple shows, multiple times a day. She gets to watch one episode in the morning and maybe another a night. Weekends (especially when she or I are sick) allow a few more.

-I still check on Luci during the night. I hear every noise, every cry, and every movement.

-Luci sleeps between Mitch and I every night. She always starts out in her own big-girl bed...but sometime during the night, she always ends up in our bed. As long as Mitch and I have alone time, we are perfectly fine with her sleeping between us. We only see her from 6:45am-7:40am and from 5:30pm-8ish pm...so again, this is a small detail for us...and we try not to "sweat the small stuff".

-Sometimes in the night if I wake up and Luci isn't in bed with us yet...I really want her to hurry up and come get in bed with us. I miss her soooo much during the day, so I really love being with her as much as possible...even if it's the middle of the night.

-We are not above bribery. If Luci is on her best behavior at Wal-Mart, she gets to play "the claw"...which is the game where you try to win a stuffed animal. Luci gets "potty stickers" for going in the potty. We give her an M&M for taking meds such as antibiotics.

-Luci is VERY scheduled...which I love...however, I want her to learn to adjust when a schedule is not always available...such as vacations or long weekends. On vacations, she goes where we go. Naptime is in the car or the stroller, and snacks sometimes serve as meals if she is hungry before we are. That being said, 95% of the time, Luci is on a strict schedule.

-I have a love/hate relationship with daycare.
Hate-
In the winter, she gets sick...which in turn means I get sick.
Not everything is done how I want it done
She picks up bad habits...hitting, pinching...
She is a recipient of bad habits...getting bit
I am not there to kiss every boo boo, wipe every tear, feed every meal, take her to the potty

Love-
My kid is getting sick now so that when she is in kindergarten, she will hopefully not get as sick!
She is making friendships, learning to share and play with others
She is learning to be independent
She is watching other kids and picking up good habits such as sharing, going to the potty, talking, singing

- I want Luci to be independent and learn how to be her own person and stand up for herself...but that being said...there is a "momma bear" deep inside of me that will come out whenever I feel necessary.

We pray with Luci every morning in the car on the way to school, before meals, and before bedtime. I want Luci to know that every day we are seeking God first and foremost. I want her to say when she is older that she heard her Mom and Dad calling out to God on behalf of her and our family. We are teaching Luci to be thankful for our blessings. We are teaching her to pray for others. Joshua 24:15- ...choose this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Proverbs 22:6- Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.


Well, I could probably right a book on my "confessions", but I am sure you guys are finished reading by now...maybe I'll do more later...