Thankful...

I have at times, after a particularly difficult day with the kids (or maybe just because I got up on the wrong side of the bed... attitude can be everything), wondered at the indignities of being an at-home parent and longed for a "real" job. Fortunately, my malaise is usually short-lived. Besides, there's just about nothing that the infectious laugh of a 3-year old won't cure.

A couple nights ago my wife had to stay a bit late at the office to finish up a project. The kids and I were already seated at the table, eating dinner when she walked in the door. She quickly took of her coat, washed up and joined us. The children asked about her day....

DD4*: "Did you have a good day, Mommy?"
Wife: "It was alright."
DD4: "Did you have fun with your friends?"
Wife: "Well, I was at work so I didn't really get to see my friends today."
DS3*: "Did you pick pumpkins?
Wife: "No."
DD4: "Did you make a cake?"
Wife: "No."
DS3: "Did you go to the park?"
Wife: "No, mostly I just sat at my desk and worked on a computer."

When I looked at my wife there was a bit of sadness in her eyes. She misses so much during the day as she toils away, working hard to earn the money we need to live comfortably in this society. I realize how much she is sacrificing, and how much she would like to be at home rather than in an office building all day. I realize what a gift it is that I am the one at home, the one who gets to be with these little miracles called our children all day long. And I realize how, on those bad days, I take all this for granted.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am so thankful that I have had (and will continue to have for the foreseeable future) the opportunity to be at home with our kids. I am thankful that my wife is able to be the breadwinner for our family, even though it means being away from the rest of us 8 or 9 hours a day. Being an at-home parent is hard work, and it certainly has its downsides, but it has to be the best, most rewarding job in the world. I am thankful, and happy, to be a stay-at-home dad!
*DD4 = Dear Daughter (4-years old); DS3 = Dear Son (3-years old)