Things I Am Enjoying Being A SAHM

I have been through both the journeys, as a working mom and as a SAHM (currently I'm a SAHM). Both are challenging. The new age of parenting is far more stressful than it was 1-2 generations before. And I must say that every mother is doing a great job!
I was working as a Lecturer in an Engineering college. When my elder daughter was born, I took a career break. Once she turned 1, I joined for a full-time Post Graduation course. After its completion, I rejoined my previous organization as Assistant Professor. When my second daughter was born, I decided to be a SAHM at least until she starts going to school.
There are few things which I'm enjoying being a SAHM

• Breastfeeding Journey

For my elder one, I could satisfactorily breastfeed only till I joined for my PG course. I would stay away from home for almost 10 hours. The milk would leak all the time and I had to use breast pads. When she completed 16 months, I stopped breastfeeding as my exams were nearby, I had to study day and night and she wouldn't sleep properly. So, the breastfeeding journey was full of guilt and I couldn't enjoy much.
Whereas, for the younger one, I'm at home and breastfeed peacefully whenever she demands. It has created a strong emotional bond between us. She is 18 months old now and I'm planning to continue the journey for a few more months.

• Guilt Free Feeling

The major guilt feeling any working mom goes through would be, leaving the child with someone and going for a job. I too would feel guilty to leave the elder one and go to the college (my MIL looked after her till I completed the course). I would hardly spend 2 hours in a day with her. Even at the weekends, I had to finish the assignments, prepare for case studies, seminars, class tests and so on. After the course, when I joined for work, she joined the preschool. Till noon, she would be in the school and after that, in the daycare till evening. It only made me feel more guilty.
Now being a SAHM, I look after both the kids myself and feel guilt free.

• Motherhood

According to me, I couldn't enjoy the initial years of motherhood completely with my firstborn. She was 8 months old when I started my preparation for the PG entrance exam. There was too much pressure till I got the seat in a good college. After joining the college, I became too busy with my studies and would hardly spend any time with the baby. Even after joining the job, I had a little time in evenings for her as I would be busy with cooking, cleaning, preparing notes for the next day classes and so on. I remember, she would request me not to go to the kitchen and instead play with her. Sundays were also jam-packed with all the household chores.
Now being a SAHM, I'm able to give maximum time to the kids. I'm enjoying every little activity of my younger one, celebrating each and every milestone which I couldn't do with the elder one (by the time I realized it, she was all grown up). Now the elder one is also more than happy that I'm at home when she comes back from school.

• Cooking

Earlier, cooking was just a necessity and was done only for survival. I never enjoyed it. My husband and I would cut all the vegetables on the weekends so that during the weekdays, we could save time. There was a fixed menu for the entire week and it was repeated every week. In the evenings, with no energy left to prepare snacks, most of the time, we would end up eating junk food.

Now, I love and enjoy cooking and cook almost 3-4 times a day. I keep trying new recipes and surprise my family. Cooking healthy and nutritious food are my topmost priority. Eating outside food has reduced drastically.

• Creative Side

Writing was a hobby since childhood. But I had completely stopped writing after my first daughter was born, mainly due to lack of time, energy and interest. I started writing again after becoming a SAHM. All thanks to Momspresso for inspiring me to write. It's such a great platform for budding bloggers like me. I can never forget the day when my first article got published in Momspresso. It was a dream come true.
Also, I wanted to try my hand at making handmade jewellery since a longtime. Only after staying at home, I got time for it and made a lot of quilling and silk thread jewelleries watching YouTube videos. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was amused exploring my creative side.

• Daughter's Performance At School

During my working days, I couldn't concentrate much on my elder daughter's education and co-curricular activities. It didn't bother me much as she was too young at that time.
Now, I'm able to focus on all her activities. She is doing really well in everything and is happy with the way I'm supporting her.
Being a SAHM is one of the toughest jobs and the most thankless job. Sometimes I feel, going for a full-time job is easier than looking after a baby or toddler for 24*7. But again, I remind myself that being a working mom is also not a cakewalk.
I did enjoy being a working mom. I enjoyed the financial independence, the identity which my job gave me, the feeling of being surrounded by the students all the time, the process of continuous learning and sharing the knowledge, socializing with colleagues and many more things. But, as a mother, I'm enjoying being a SAHM more!