Over the past week, someone said to me that they’d love to be able to “just” stay at home with their kids.  (They emphasized the “just.”  This person did not have children.)  Inwardly, I was outraged that this person thought that life at home with children was so easy.  Outwardly, all I could do was smile politely at their ignorance.

Whether you’ve stayed at home with your child during your maternity leave, you’re a work-at-home-mom, or you’re a full-time stay-at-home-mom (hereby referred to as SAHM), you know that the last word you’d use to describe your job is “easy.”  In fact, this is easily the most difficult job I have ever had.

Since I’m not going to be a rude, exhausted mother of a fussy newborn and go off on an ignorant bystander, I will provide an outline of my inner tirade that is set off with those types of comments:

• There are no breaks in mothering.  No 15-minute morning break.  No lunch break.  No taking a vacation day.  Sick?  Too bad!
• Have a problem with a coworker?  At least you can walk away from the problem.  Try walking away from your fussy offspring.  Not an option.
• Hate getting up early for work?  Try waking up every couple of hours for night feedings.
• Try spending an entire day without seeing an adult.  You will find yourself starved for adult conversation, in any form; yet, almost worthless in conversation due to exhaustion.  (Next time you see a tired, disheveled looking woman in the store looking at you eagerly, she’s probably a new mother.)
• Work 9-5, 2-10, or even 6-6?  Hey, at least you can bug off after you get your hours in.  My job is 24/7 baby.
• Can’t function in the morning without your coffee?  Most days, I don’t even have time to make any.
• Some days, I would eagerly trade my SAHM duties for some good ol’ workplace stress (not that I don’t love my baby, don’t get me wrong).

And the other thing that really makes me mad on a tough day is the person who complains about how little sleep they’re getting.  Dude, I get that you’re busy with work/school/whatever, but don’t complain to me about being tired.  You have the option to sleep in on a Saturday or take an afternoon nap if you can work it out with your schedule.  I’m at a child’s beck and call 24 hours each day, and I can guarantee that I’m getting less sleep than you and you’re not hearing me complain to you about it.

Truth: Being a SAHM or WAHM is not easy.  And don’t tell me it is because if I’m having an exceptionally bad day, I might drop-kick you.