The two people you're sure to meet as a SAHM

Over and over again, I keep running into these characters. Of course there are the other types of people you meet when you say you're a stay at home parent, the older generation who thinks you have it easier than they did or because they did 'it all', mom/dad, the lot. But more frequently, you meet two different people- usually parents.

1- the person who always says (over and over again): "I have so much respect for stay at home moms, I could never do it". Then they usually go on to say how maternity leave was a nightmare and they couldn't wait to get back to work. Or how much they hate being 'cooped up' with their own kids. Sad, really. I mean, here we are- both of us as parents. Different lifestyles- but it always confuses me to hear parents who admit they can't stand being in their child's company and no one else's. I hope their kid never hears them say that, how damaging to self-esteem! To hear your own mother/father doesn't like just hanging out with you. Sad times.

2- I can't possibly afford it. You're so lucky. Lucky? Ok. If you call downsizing 'lucky' I guess we're lucky. We can't afford it, plain and simple- but when there's a will there's a way. We simple make it work for our family, that's all. Often, these parents I find make these comments and other comments on the sly shading stay at home parents- it's pretty clear they want to stay home but are deciding against it. After all, you can live without two cars, cable, fancy phones and new clothes all the time. I find these parents to be in the 'unhappy with life' group and stay at homes are a butt end of some weird running joke they have amongst themselves.

I swear I can't go a week without meeting at least one type of parent I just described. What annoys me isn't that these parents complain that life is hard. It IS hard, no doubt about it. But that they choose to complain about things that happen to them when in reality it's their own decision to live life they way that they do.

I know my own choices in life are predominantly why we're so broke at the moment. We decided it was important for me to stay home, we can't afford it- but I work from home so we can keep food on the table. We decided to get married young and to have a baby young. That comes with its own financial challenges to be sure. Life's hard, I get it. But in reality- choices matter. You can choose to be one of the above people, or you can choose a different path in life. Personally, if I were hating my decisions I would re-evaluate them!