Hopping on My Soapbox: I want a CHOICE

Typically, I don't get involved in political shenanigans, but the whole Rosen vs. Romney debate fired me up. So forgive me as I hop on my soapbox and give my two cents on the situation.

First and foremost I agree with Rosen, perhaps not the words she used but the meaning behind them. I don't care what kind of mom you are, you can admit the fact that Ann Romney never had to work [for a paycheck} a day in her life. For real. she was rich even before she met her husband and we all know he's loaded. They come from a life of wealth and wealth leads to privilege which leads to an easier lifestyle.

A lifestyle that over half the American people know nothing about, nor do they care because they are out working long hours for that paycheck so they can support their kids.

I'm one of those people.

I'm a WORKING mom. Yes, I know. All moms work trust me I get it. But both B2 and I HAVE to work or our kids will be eating ramen noodles everyday. Even with the added cost of childcare {which exceeds our monthly mortgage payment} it's still more cost effective for me to work outside the home. Because right now I make more than my husband. Yep. that's right. He owns his own business and there are times when he makes more than me, but it's never consistent. So, it's up to me.

Who was it that said moms can have it all? Well I guess I do.

I'm bringing home the bacon and frying it up in the pan...

This isn't feminism speaking, it's just a fact of life. And there are days when I wish I had the luxury of being a SAHM. {Ok don't slam me for using the word luxury} Let me explain before anyone's feelings get hurt. I know the job of a SAHM is tough I get it, but to me it is a luxury and one that my family can't afford. And it is a luxury to not have to worry about things like...

1. Getting fired. Even though my job is great and I'm totally awesome at it. In a world full of surprise layoffs and a tough economy this is a constant fear.

2. Missing your kids. I miss them everyday. Not only that but I've had to miss shark presentations, soccer practices, and E getting stitches all because of work obligations. And when one of the kids gets sick B2 and I need to check our schedules and figure out who can use a vacation day to stay home with them. It makes me sad. We even missed G's first word and first steps {all done at daycare}.

3. The heartache of going back to work after maternity leave. With E this was overwhelming. To the point where every morning I would cry on my way to work and cry on my way home. For the first two years of his life I left for work before he woke up and spent only an hour with him before bed. It was terrible. My current job is much better, but even after having G it was hard going back to work.

4. The cost of childcare. It is astronomical, and sending E to kindergarten will be like winning the lottery in terms of childcare.

5. I don't have a choice to stay home. NEVER. Not once was that a choice. It was decided before we even had kids and not by me or my husband, but by the economics of this jacked up country we live in.

I'm not here to say one is better than the other or to debate who sacrifices more, but let's get real do you think that Ann Romney had to worry about any of those things. NO!! And that's what makes her completely unrelatable to me, and to many other women.

We are all juggling this job of motherhood on top of ten million other things in life. But let's just recognize that some of us don't have the choices that are offered to the Ann Romney's of the world. And perhaps we can work together to fix the country's problems, so that whether to work or not can be more of a CHOICE instead of a NECESSITY.

*I hope I didn't hurt anyone's feelings with this post, and if you disagree or have other opinions please share them, because there are no judgements on the blog.