Motherhood it's what I do, it's who I am. To some it may seem simplistic and perhaps even ideal to be a stay-at-home mom. To an outsider looking in, it's a perfect situation. The mom simply clothes and feeds her family and keeps a tidy home. Thanks to shows like"Leave it to Beaver" our society is convinced that being a mom is easy and full or high heels and pearl necklaces. Once the kids leave for school and husband leaves for work the mom has nothing to do but relax, spend the day shopping or getting her hair done, and simply have dinner ready when everyone gets home. It's perfect, or so one would think. A stay at home mom doesn't have the demands of a "regular job" or dealing with a boss or co-workers.

But being a mom comes with its own set of challenges. Perhaps these challenges seem petty or pathetic to an outsider, but they don't understand the demands that come physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. From the moment the baby is conceived a woman's life becomes centered on another human being. She begins to think about how her actions impact another's life - how she cares for herself during pregnancy can have a large impact on the health of the baby she carries in her womb. Once the baby is born it depends upon the mother for nourishment, comfort, and safety. As the child grows so will its needs and thus the commitment of the mother. 

I am currently raising four children the oldest is 5 years old, the youngest 2 months. It is the most amazing, challenging thing I have ever done. I constantly wonder if I am doing enough, I worry that I haven't said enough of the right things and too many of the wrong things. Do my children know I love them? Is my best enough? I wonder at times if they will end up in therapy because I put them in time out.