10 in 10: Day 9- I am a Stay-at-Home Mom, Not a 1950s Housewife

My husband was talking with his co-worker last week about our new baby. She asked if I was on maternity leave, and if I was going back to work. He said that I left my job to stay at home with the baby. Then she said, "Oh, that nice. So she must have dinner ready on the table for you when you come home, right?" And my husband replied that we take turns preparing dinner and taking care of the baby.

I couldn't help but feel annoyed and embarrassed by his co-worker's statement. I was annoyed at her expectation that I have free time to make a nice dinner each night. Does she not remember that I'm staying at home because I have a baby? I'm not just playing housewife at home all day. It just felt very 1950s to me. I do hope that soon I will improve by daily schedule where I can have dinner ready when my wonderful husband comes home from work, but I just didn't like the expectation from a total stranger.

Then I felt embarrassed about my husband's reply. Am I not doing a good job as a stay-at-home-mom? I didn't know that prepared meals was part of the description. My priority right now is taking care of Baby S. Gosh, I'm just proud of myself that I am able to brush my teeth and get dressed before noon! I'm working on establishing a routine with my baby so I can start to take on more responsibility around the house, like the laundry and house cleaning. Honestly, my husband has always been the chef between the two of us. He enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes.

I'll never be a perfect Stepford wife, and I'm okay with that (and I'm pretty sure my husband is too). I will be a mom and wife that takes pride in what I do to take care of my baby and husband the best that I can. I think that is all we can strive for- to do our best as a stay-at-home-mom. And that's nothing to be embarrassed about!