I am convinced of this: Being home every day, all day with small children is the hardest job ever. It's taxing to be a mindful, involved parent - to be gentle, patient, and positive day and night (yes, parenting does still happen at night).
But it's worth it. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. And I love it.
I recently read a book that celebrates all that moms are and what they do for society...and I thought I'd tell you about it real quick.
Published by Celebra Trade in 2009, Stay Home, Stay Happy is written by a mom of five with a Masters degree and experience on national television. Rachel Campos-Duffy is an intelligent and articulate woman with plenty of expertise and encouragement to share.
Essentially, the book outlines how to stay refreshed, upbeat, and energized when you're surrounded by small children all day long. It's an easy read with a conversational style and plenty of practical tips for getting organized, in-shape, and in-tune with your kids. I love how she emphasizes that staying home is a choice...that requires sacrifice, but reaps a great reward.
This quote will give you a feel for the tone/outlook of the book, "So I hold tightly to this precious and fleeting time with my small children with no regrets, confident that despite what others may think, my education and career experiences are not being wasted on my children."
My thoughts exactly.
Although this book is geared to those who have consciously decided to stay home with their children full-time, it offers practical and inspiring advice for moms along many career spectrums. The author certainly is not out to judge those who opt to work outside of the home [At one point, she was thisclose to accepting a position on The View so she definitely knows that work decisions aren't cut-and-dry]. Her book applies to every mom because it is about honoring the important role that mothers play in the world...and I appreciate that.
WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of "Stay Home, Stay Happy" by Rachel Campos-Duffy. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, February 14th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
* I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
*UPDATE* The winner is #32 Susan C. Congratulations!
I dont stay home though I wish I could but I am sure I can use the tips and appreciate this book..
i find staying home is hard i realy could use this.girl friend just this weekend gave me a pep talk on son still needs me .mabe this book could helpme
I love being a stay at home mom, but yes- it is the hardest job ever! And with a military husband, often I'm a 'single mom' for weeks/months at at time. This book sounds great. If I don't win it :) I'll add it to my Amazon list...
This topic is of ken interest to me - I've been a stay at home mom, and have friends who home school, this book is right up our alley!
I stay at home and have friends who stay at home/home school, this bokk topic is of keen interest to me!!!
I am so jealous of the moms that get to stay at home. We thought I would be able to be home by now, but the economy changed that and I'll keep working for awhile. What amazes and frustrates me the most is how many stay at home moms I know that are MISERABLE and aren't afraid of sharing how hard it is. If only they realized how lucky they are. If only I had the courage to quit my job and start my own thing that gave me freedom to be home more.
I agree that being a SAHM has it's challenge, but it's also rewarding to work with someone you love so much.
My husband and I are expecting our first child and we have already decided that I will be a stay-at-home mom. I know that this is the right decision for our situation, but I am thrilled to know that there are others out there who agree that being a mom is a tough, demanding 24/7 job!
I would really love to read this book. I'm so torn as a working mom. It doesn't feel right...but I'm really not sure that staying home full time would feel right for me, either. I'm feeling a bit lost!
For my neighbor, who is questioning this very topic.
I stay at home with my 2 year old daughter (I also have a son who is in kindergarten) and know that it is the best for her. Some days, however, it is hard to remember that. I have a degree from UF and sometimes have an itch to do something great in my field. But I know in the back of my brain that I will make the most difference at home with my daughter. I think this book would be great for me.
I think this sounds like a great book. I love staying home with my little guy more than anything, and I am so thankful that I can, but it has defintely been a BIG adjustment.
i am a stay at home mom! Would love to read it and pass it on to my cousin.
I am currently a part time stay at home mom (gotta work out of necessity part time in an office b/c of student loan payments or I would be home full time), but I recently gave up most of my other part time job to stay home as much as I can to be with my daughter. Its so difficult and has its challenges. I never knew how challenging it really is. Def the hardest job in the entire world without any doubts. But its def the most rewarding. Would love to read this book and see what Rachel has to say about all of this and with her many kids, to boot-wow, impressive!
I just stumbled upon your blog today and I LOVE it!
I am a Stay at Home Mom ....however here in MN I considered myself a Shoveling at home Mom! I LOVE reading parenting books and getting inspired.
THat sounds interesting and I also have a friend that I think would enjoy reading it. I love staying home with my kids!
I was home with my kids when they were little (they are now in their 30's), so I appreciate the job stay-at-home moms do. Thanks!
Oh and I completely agree with you - being a full-time stay at home mom is HARD, but totally worth it. This is one of the weeks twice a year that I leave my kids with someone for four to six hours a day to work an event with one of my clients. I really, really enjoy working this event and it's just the break I need to keep my sanity as a SAHM. I miss my kids so much during these couple of weeks a year that I don't know if I'd ever be able to go back to a full-time job again.
Most days I love my job as a stay-at-home homeschooling mom...I wouldn't trade it for the world. But we need all the encouragement we can get in this society where it is still not completely accepted. I enjoy reading supportive, encouraging books.
I agree that being home is the hardest job ever...
When I first became a stay-at-home-mom I was most surprised by the physicality of it all. Not just the nights, but the bending and lifting and carrying and who-knows-what. Now, I think it's a lot more mentally/emotionally demanding...just "being on" all the time is exhausting.
And I wouldn't trade it for the world!
Because on the flip side I get to bend to kiss boo-boos, lift to the top of the slide, carry kids and balls to the park and get physically exhausted playing soccer. I get to revel in my 4 year old's mental games...like counting backward from 100 or listening to him sound out words to himself when he's reading in bed! And I get to "be on" when they are "on" and THAT is fun!
My sister is good friends with Rachel Campos-Duffy and I have to say that based on the few times I've met her, she is a wonderful mom! I have yet to read the book, but from skimming it, I can see that her approach to parenting is right in line with my own! When I first became a stay at home mom I did feel that I was wasting my education on my children! Incidentally, reading an excellent "stay at home mom" book put my life into perspective and changed my attitude toward parenting forever! I hope Mrs's Duffy's book can do the same for others!!!!
This sounds like a great book! I love anything celebrating staying home with children.
I'm getting that book no matter what, but it's always cool to get something free :) She's got an interesting story, too. What a lady!
I've always believed that mothers should be able to stay home without feeling guilt. Most stay at home mothers that I know ar doing an excellent job of raising their children.
I feel I need to read this book. My husband and I have made the choice for me to stay home from the start. I now have three wonderful children and plan on having more but I just feel like I am not good at this! How can I be more patient is the question I fail to answer daily not to mention how to keep things organized, healthy and happy all day every day? I admire all mom stay at home or not! We can all learn from each other.
I've had this book on my wishlist since I first heard about it, but haven't quite gotten around to reading it yet since my library doesn't carry it! I would LOVE to win a copy of this book. I agree 100% that being a stay at home mom is the hardest job ever (for me at least).
I've found a compromise - I work from home. I agree my first priority is my children and the commitment my husband and I have made in raising our family. I agree that my education only benefits my ability to raise my family. As an educator I am also able to influence the lives of hundreds of other children. I am blessed:)
I would love to read this book. I work but keep my grandkids in the evenings and weekends and would love to help make them into awesome wonderful adults.
Sounds like a great book. I've read Dr Laura's take on it, but would prefer the ideas from someone currently in the war zone. I am at home full time with my 2.5 year d twins. I love being with them full time, but could use some new insights!
I haven't heard of this book but think I might buy it even if I don't win a copy. It sounds just like the inspiration I need as these long winter days at home with two small ones go on and on.
not entering this contest. just wanted to say that i read this last year and enjoyed it! def worth reading!
I love Rachel Campos-Duffy! I listen to her every Wednesday on Relevant Radio and I read her Parentdish.com column. I have wanted to read this book for a while. I hope I win!
I would love to win this for my daughter. She is the mother of two little ones, and she called me today in tears, saying she just needed 5 minutes to herself. She doesn't live that close to me, so I can't help as often as I would like.I remember what it was like-I was a SAHM myself.
smchester at gmail dot com
I need this! I am a stay at home mom of twins... and my sanity is fleeting these days! Would love some encouragement and new ideas!
i would love to stay at home..and do what i like best..raise kids and cook meals for my hubby while taking a nap when i want..and working on web stuff freelancing!
i would love to get this book to make the decision easier.
I am afraid if I read this book I will REALLY want to stay home but financially I can't!
I decided to stay home to be with my daughter and, now that I am pregnant, there are definitely days when I'm a bit too exhausted to remain positive all day (and night). It would be nice to gain insights from a more experienced mother through this book.
Rachel was on MTV's the Real World back when I actually watched that show, and she married another Real Worlder. I'd love to read this book and hear about her experiences and see how they compare to mine.
Sounds like a great book. Although motherhood is exceptionally wonderful and rewarding, it certainly is the most challenging and often difficult job around.
She sounds like a very interesting woman. I'll be adding this to my TBR pile. I have been staying at home for a little over three years now, and I agree 100% that staying at home can be difficult at time - but has also been the most rewarding thing that I have ever done! I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world.
I love staying home with my 2 kids! At times I need a lift, this book looks like it would be a great encouragement!
I have been home for over 7 years now. I love every minute of it!
Looks like a very interesting read. I love staying home and wouldn't have it any other way. I pray I will always be able to stay home with my child(ren).
Sounds great! It can be hard to stay engaged all day, and not guilty for the 10 minutes you spend checking email.
Sounds like a wonderful book to read while I'm at home! I love staying at home with my son - it's hard at times, but it's definitely worth it.
Definitely interested in this book! I too love staying at home with my babies and wouldn't trade it for anything, but it is so hard to explain to people who don't do it that it IS the hardest job you have ever done. I'm sure this book has some great pointers on how to make things easier at times.
Would love to read this book! I stay home with my 3 kids and wouldn't trade it for the world-though some days it is HARD! My DH was gone all last week and so I'm even more worn than usual by the single-parenting stint. Bless you single moms out there!
Oh, I could never tire of reading books celebrating moms that choose to stay at home. Encouragement, tips, advice, and celebration -- I love reading all of it. :)
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com
This would be great for a friend of mine.
As another former professional counselor that has decided to stay home with my children, I agree that it is more challenging than anything I have ever done. While counseling was also very rewarding, being home with my kids offers a different, more personal level of satisfaction than I ever felt working. I have experienced the full spectrum of being a working parent with my child in a day care away from me, working while my child was on campus with me and now being home full time and I LOVE IT!!!
I agree....this is the hardest, but most rewarding job in the world and I wouldn't give it up for anything!! I'd love to read that book.
And if you had asked me 10 years ago if I would be a stay-at-home Mom I would have looked at you like you were crazy. Isn't it funny how having kids changes EVERYTHING!
It really is the hardest job. And I don't do a very good job of it every day. I think I was a far better employee than I am Mom... but I do strive to be better every day and I think I'm doing a pretty good job, for the most part.
Nell
Love that quote! That sounds like a book I would definitely love to read!
Rachel is awesome, and I'd love to read this book!
This would be great for my sister who will be a stay at home mom shortly. Thanks for the chance.
The hardest job. Ever. Yes. And worth it. But it's so nice to have a husband who understands that there are days when I just need "me" time. Just got back from a couple hours at Starbucks with my knitting needles. It was refreshingly glorious. And I love my kid so much better now! :)
Sounds like a great read! Being at home is such an up and down job. I'd love to read all the tips and just for the pick me up that I'm sure it is.
I think staying at home with my girls is the best choice I've ever made.... that being said, it is also by far the hardest job I've ever had! This book sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the chance!
I am a stay at home mom and would loooove to read this. :)
This sounds like a definite must read for me! My little guy is just about 15 months, and while I love staying home with him, every now and then I feel the itch to get a job just so that I can have more opportunities for a social life. Winter is here, and therefore so is cabin fever, so I really could use this book to help me and my child enjoy our days together more. :) Thanks for the suggestion!
I wish I could stay home, and I bet a lot of the advice applies to parents who work outside of the home, and are tired and sometimes grumpy by the time they get home and start their other, more important, full time job of being a parent. This sounds like a great read!
It sounds like a book I need to read. I love being home with my 2 boys but I'm in the middle of a dark time and struggling.
This book sounds great! I now stay at home, and sometimes feel left out amist my working-mom friends, and would love to read this book!
I would love to be entered. I don't stay home, but my husband does, and I'm curious to read this book to see how much of what the author writes is applicable to both parents.