Stay at home mums don't work? Yeah right.

So, in light of the fact that I barely had any sleep last night, I thought I would make a little mention of it here for all those people out there (and there are quite a few) who think stay at home mums have it easy.

I often get told that I don't work. Right. Let me just say that I would love to have an easy day job. In fact, my last job, which involved standing for 13 hours a day was far easier than being a mum. When I knocked off work I left my work there, came home, relaxed, ate dinner in peace, watched some TV, read the odd book, flicked through magazines, surfed the net, went out whenever I bloody felt like it, had spontaneous sex, ate and drank what I liked when I liked and slept for as long as I desired.

As a mum, I am on call 24/7. As a mum of a newborn this is really put to the test. I spend hours holding her during the day whilst trying to make sandwiches for the other two. I feed all day long and feel like a damn dairy queen most of the time. I barely eat, as by the time I have finished feeding 3 kids I'm not hungry any more. My dinner, if I get it, is often at 9pm, eaten standing up and cold. I haven't read a book in years. I buy magazines that can easily sit there for days before I even open them. I am often online, only because I can watch the kids playing in the backyard from my desk, but I spend a lot of time typing one handed as I am usually holding the Newbie. If I want to go out, I have to organise a babysitter. If I go out with 3 kids ... let's just say I rarely go out with 3 kids. Spontaneous sex is a thing of the past ... now it's more a quickie whenever I can (and with every conceivable contraception as I ain't going back for another kid!!). I have to watch what I drink and eat as it affects my milk and therefore affects the newbie. And sleep, well, last night was a fairly typical night for me .. I fell asleep on the couch around 11, woke up at midnight, fed until nearly 1am, back up at 2.30, fed til 3ish, then up at quarter to 5, fed til 5.30ish so decided what was the point in going back to sleep as the next kid would be up soon and if I wanted any chance of being showered for the day I had better do it now.

So it's 6.30am, I am showered and drinking coffee. It's been another hard night with barely any sleep ...

But I wouldn't trade my job for any other. Because as much as my ferals drive me insane they are the light of my life. And how special is it to look at something that you have created, that has grown inside you, that you have nurtured and watch grow.

Just don't tell me that I don't work!!