Being a Working Mom vs. Staying Home

Hi friends! We had the best long weekend. We swam, hung out with friends, ate, slept in, and were together, which is all that matters!

Today I want to answer a question I get a lot: How do you feel about going back to work instead of staying home?

You might remember that a year ago I resigned after the school year to stay home with Graham. Then, I panicked in July and realized staying home was just not for me. Now, a year later I am here to update you and...

It was the best decision I could have ever made!

Truthfully, I cringe thinking about staying home all day, everyday. I am just not wired like that. I don't like crafts and don't want to teach my kid his ABC's or colors. I teach 5th grade because I don't enjoy the "little kid stuff."

I also need something for me and I need to feel as though I have more than just "mom and wife" on my resume. I am speaking only for me when I say that staying home made me cray-zeeeee. How come Chris got to pee when he wanted? How come he got to eat lunch in peace? How come I have to clean up after everyone? Not fair! Those thoughts never subsided which lead me to want to go back to work. And hire back our cleaning lady, asap.

Thankfully, being a teacher means I get lots of breaks and all holidays with my little guy, which is just the right amount of time for us to be together. He doesn't love me any less than me staying home all day and my sanity right where it needs to be. I am a happier wife and mom because I get to pursue my passion.

Being a working mom is hard and being a stay at home mom is hard, but for me and myself, I need to work. I need to be apart of something just for me and I need to get out of the house.

This next school year I will be teaching at a school 10 minutes from our new house and I couldn't be more thrilled. The school I am finishing up at is 50 minutes away and Chris and I decided that, although I love it, being closer to home is key as we think about the future of our family.

So, at this point in my life, teaching is where my heart is. I am a wife first, mom second, teacher third. I find joy in my career and no joy in cleaning my house, making dinner, and playing play-doh all day :) And that is okay.

Moms, there is no right answer as to whether you should stay home or not. None of us love our kids anymore than if we work outside the home or we don't. What each woman chooses to do for that season of her life is up to her and her family. I know there will come a time when I may stay home, but in this season of life, being around my child all day everyday is not the best for my health or sanity. You have to do what is right for you and your family and know that nothing has to be permanent. I am living proof that it only takes one summer to realize that wrangling a toddler all day can make anyone want to start drinking at 9:00am. Just kidding...

Kind of.

Happy Tuesday!

Five on Friday

Hi, friends! What a week! This was the last full week of school before summer. Next week we have 3.5 days and then it is freedom! I can't wait to spend the mornings with G, go to the park, swim, and hang with friends.

A few things I am loving this week:

1. This nail polish color is my absolute favorite!

2. J. Crew has the best swimsuits and so many are on sale right now! My J. Crew suit (bottoms here, top here) is perfect for Memorial Day. The seersucker pattern can easily be paired with a red cover-up for the perfect patriotic outfit!

3. THIS DRESSER! It must find a place in my new house. I am obsessed!

4. Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel Seasoning. I finally caved to the masses and got some of this gold and it is heaven. I normally don't like eggs, but with this on top, I could eat them for days!

5. Bachelorette comes back on Monday! Do y'all watch? I am so excited! I love when the show falls over the summer because then I can stay up late watching and not worry about being tired the next day! I can't wait to watch!

BONUS: The Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale is going on now! I probably won't be partaking because I need to save my pennies to furnish our new house, but a girl can surely window shop :) These platform sandals are a fan favorite and they are going fast!

Apple Watch Series 3 Review

I’ve had my Apple Watch for six months now and I feel that is adequate time to give an honest review and….

I LOVE IT!

There are many, many reasons I love it, but I will highlight my five favorite reasons.

1. The ability to have the speaker phone on your wrist! Graham is really interested in holding my phone when people call and he always ends up hanging up on them. Since I can use my watch as a phone, we just make calls on that and I can continue my normal routine and G never asks to hold it.

2. Quickly checking text messages. How many times does you phone go off and you feel like you have to get to it ASAP? Now, I just glance at my watch and if the text can wait, I just leave my phone wherever it is.

3. Speaking of leaving your phone, you can ping your phone to find it and I do this ALL THE TIME. If my phone is not in my direct line of sight then I ping it. Chris gets so annoyed and I think it is hilarious!

4. Tracking my fitness. I love being able to close all my activity rings for a day. It is a competition I have with myself everyday! And, your watch encourages you! It will tell you, “You can do it, Sarah!” or it will say, “It’s time to stand up!” (It JUST told me to stand up, haha!) It can track your heart rate or help you through breathing exercises. Also, it is really accurate. If you’re really into fitness, I definitely recommend the Apple Watch!

5. The weather! You can customize the face of your watch and one thing I’ve put on my watch face is the weather. I love checking it first thing when I wake up because it helps me ensure I dress Graham appropriately for the day. I don’t have to get on my phone and wait for the weather app to load. I just quickly glance at my watch and what weather is in store for the day.

Bonus: It is waterproof! So I don’t need to worry about it getting ruined or accidently getting it wet!

There are a million other perks and benefits to having an Apple Watch. Honestly, I was skeptical about getting one, but now I am addicted! If you’re on the fence, I really think that you’ll love it!

PS: I have the 42mm because I already can't see and I needed the bigger one to be able to see. Also, Chris thinks I'll get tired of wearing it and will give it to him. He is really, really wrong. And, I want a more formal band for it, but I just keep forgetting to buy one!