After 5 years of being a stay at home mom, I can honestly say that I am exhausted. I never thought about being “tired” of being home. My whole life I longed to be a stay at home mom. Now I find myself longing to head back to work!

Not all days are like that, but I’m feeling it more and more. I feel awful for feeling that way. I’ve talked to a few other stay at home moms and gotten the same reaction. While we all love being stay at home moms and feel blessed to actually be able to stay at home, after however many years it starts to wear on you. Here are some things I remind myself anytime I feel like heading back to work:

1. Actually thinking about not being with my kids all day makes me tear up.

2. Running around and playing with my children will make my bad mood go away instantly.

3. Reminding myself that I wouldn’t have these glorious days of swimming and soaking up the sun with my boys if I were working.

4. Knowing I can head out and run my errands or grocery shop anytime during the day is liberating.

5. Being able to “sleep” in (okay, not really sleep in, but I don’t have to rush around in the morning).

6. Playdates, playdates, playdates!!!

7. Dance parties in the living room, at 11:00 am.

8. Knowing that I will NEVER regret staying home with my children…but I will regret NOT spending time with them.

9. Being able to make my family home cooked meals (a pork roast is in the oven as I am typing this).

10. Having the leisure of going to all my hubby’s softball games during the summer (they are early evening).

11. Hugs and kisses from my boys all day long (need I say more?)

12. I will never get these years back. I have the rest of my life to “work” outside the home, but for now, I am my boys’ mom. And that is the most important!

So, if you are a stay at home mom and find yourself longing to head back to work, take a deep breath and remember why you became a stay at home in the first place. I’m not the best stay at home mom, and I know I take my days home for granted, but I try to remind myself daily how blessed I am!

Jillian Van Leer Jillian is 29 years old and is the mother of two boys: Aidan, who is 5 years old, and Owen who is 3 years old. Jillian couldn't wait for the day she became a mother, and now she's living her dream as a stay-at-home-mom. Read More >>