That SAHM I am! That SAHM I am!

Title: Professional SAHM

Key Accomplishments: Provide senior leadership in the collaborative and coordinated logistics; public relations; activities; security; medical treatment; meal preparation; facility improvements, upgrades, and maintenance; budget development and administration; scheduling; goal-setting; daily instruction, and other varied functions as the need arises for the husband and children I am happily responsible for.

Stay-At-Home-Moms (SAHMs) have no gaps in their work experience…

Below are two links my husband e-mailed me this week.

http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/bubble-babies/article150007.html

http://blog.doctormebook.com/2007/07/25/irresponsible-ant-trap-user-list.aspx

The first link had me in tears from laughing so hard, and the second one he sent because just this week my 14 month old was crawling around on the kitchen floor and discovered an ant trap all by herself.

I could relate to both of the article because when my oldest was just one month old, I swallowed some mouthwash (no more than the amount used for regular rinsing); but I was nursing the baby and thought for sure I'd ruin my child for life if I nursed her with mouthwash in my breastmilk!

Of course, I was assured that all was okay, but I went to work pumping out as much of my milk as I could before dumping it down the drain just to be on the safe side for my baby's sake.

As parents, we can literally drive ourselves crazy by being hyper-concerned about safety issues despite the fact that we are careful, watchful, and mindful of what our children are doing as much of the time as humanly possible.

Not one of us ever wants to even think that our children's safety might be in danger, or that they may become injured or harmed in any way. We would rather take the hit if there has to be one.

Sadly, we will hear of freak accidents far more than we'd like to admit; and these childhood accidents always seem to make us "think, and rethink, and overthink" simply because we care so much about our children and want them to always be healthy, well and safe.

But, the reality is that as much as we try to be bionic parents who have everything completely covered and under control 24-7, we just can't always prevent accidents from happening.

Just as quickly as our children dart around, minor -- and unfortunately sometimes major --accidents can happen.

This does not mean we're bad or negligent parents. It means that we're human parents. As long as we respond correctly and move quickly to comfort and care for a child who has had an accident, we are indeed doing what any wise, good and loving parent would do.

I'm trying to remember how blessed I am to have my little ones, who short of the occasional bump or bruise, are all healthy living and breathing children. Keeping this in mind helps me avoid going crazy thinking about all of the "what ifs" that really are not under my control, anyway.

I'll continue, as I'm sure all of us will; to be the same careful, watchful, mindful, and nurturing parent I've been able to be from the start.

Each time one of my little ones gives me a hug or kiss, I'm reassured that they're fully aware and appreciative of how much I love and care for them...that does worlds to help replace any potential fear I might even consider having.

Speak with you again next Saturday...

Stephanie Evans
Professional SAHM

Stephanie Evans and her husband, Bill, live in New Jersey with their three daughters who are ages five, three, and one. Stephanie has a B.S. degree in Music Education and taught Music for 11 years in the public school system. She loves children and enjoyed being a teacher, but she loves being a SAHM even more!