WHEN YOU’RE HOME 24/7

December 27 to present. It’s been three weeks since I had the taste of beating the time for my log-in and counting minutes and hours waiting for the end my shift. Now, I get the feel of what they call “full time mom.”

For 15 years that I have worked, never was there a long-term vacation. The longest of which was the 2-week Christmas break. Three weeks is like three years when you’re home. You could feel the movement of the second hand of the clock; you could watch all TV programs from sun-up till sun-down; you see vehicles passing, and at the very least be able to count them (^_^); you get to know the names of your neighbors who also stay home; you’re able to visit the sari-sari stores and buy yourself something to keep you awake and alive; you wash dishes, clean the house, feed the dog and bathe him, wash and iron the clothes, cook – from breakfast to dinner- for your kids and hubby; and lastly, bade them goodbye when they go to school or work and watch the clock every now and then to see what time they’ll be home.

I have come to realize the value of time and patience.

But on the other hand, greater is the happiness and fulfillment brought by staying home and working as full time mom. I personally take care of my three-month old son, which I failed to do in my first three kids when they were still babies.

House was topsy-turvy when I was still working. Stuffs were placed anywhere that no one could recall locations when things were needed. Now that I am home, I make it a point to organize things. I know what my kids are into when they start watching TV.

Tell you, we’re all gathered up in front of our overly used LCD TV at 6:45 P.M. every day and at 5:00 P.M. every Saturday to watch Willing Willie and at 8:00 P.M. , Channel 7, the fantaserye - -Dwarfina.

There is one thing though that I lose track off when I am home – the DATE. I’ll just be reminded when I receive my bills. Oh, it’s paying time!

Sometimes, frustration creeps because I miss the old work, the job. If the others are working, why am I home? But as I look at the brighter side of life, it is then that I would realize that I get to enjoy a lot of things which others do not. Let me just cite a few:
a. It’s a vacation and a rest for me. I get to enjoy the results of my stinginess. I have saved some pennies and dimes when I was still working so I’ll have a thread to pull in case I need finances. NOW IS THE TIME! ^_^
b. No pressures!!!
c. I could attend to my kids’ needs. Do things for them.
d. I’ll be able to enjoy the moments with my 3-month old baby.
e. I could cook for them and do other household chores.
f. My house is no longer chaotic. Things are slowly being put into proper places.
g. Kids are doing their assignments religiously.
h. I could eat anytime, that’s why I am really GROWING!
i. I could be online 24/7. Yehey!!

Few months from now, I will again face another battleground. My respite from the academe will provide me the renewed strength and enthusiasm so I’ll be able to provide quality teaching to my new students regardless of how they look, how they smell, where they live, and what they know.

Though I am not a productive tax-paying citizen now, at least I get to experience the luxury of time, the freedom from deadlines, the happiness of being with my kids and my hubby. Those things are non-compensable.

My kids will only be young once. Sooner they will grow and live on their own. Who knows, they might not have the time for me when that comes.

So, let me give them the time and the attention while they still need it.

Let me enjoy the bliss of motherhood.