Today I have been peed on, manhandled, shrieked at, had my lunch knocked out of my hands, and did a contraband search.

I am not a jail guard or an inmate (although at this point a stint in solitary sounds rather relaxing).

I am a mother, and not just any kind of mother, I am a stay at home mom.

Being a mom is one of the most rewarding experiences on our great planet, it is also by far one of the hardest.

As I type this I am overwhelmed.

My hardworking husband has worked over 70 hours this week, meaning today is my 6th consecutive day of being alone with my children. I know that I should be grateful, and really I am, I just am not feeling it at this exact moment in time.

I know that there are plenty of single moms (and dads) out there, and for them they are the only parent on duty ALL of the time.

I also know that when I myself was a single mother I had amazing support from family and friends who now think I sit around eating bonbons.

I know that there are plenty of working parents who wish they could be home more (my husband included), I was once one of them. However as a working parent I knew if I was really sick I could call in and still take my kids to daycare. I knew that I would get to see and converse *gasp* with other adults. To be honest in my current state, with with urp stains on my clothing and spilled meatloaf to my side those things sound pretty enticing.

I know this is a temporary state of affairs.

I know that when my six month old snaps out of his current mood and flashes that contagious smile, I will be reminded what my purpose here at home is.

I know that when I get to be there for the first time he finally crawls, I will be grateful for this amazing opportunity. I know that when he begins to toddle around and falls, me being there to catch him and kiss his boo-boos is priceless.

But for now, I stare at the seemingly unmoving clock waiting for my husband to walk through that door so that I can use the restroom without being followed by my ever-present entourage. So that I can take a shower longer than it takes to say the ABC’s. So I can finally eat with two hands.

Then again, as my husband so often jokes about, he will come home, I’ll take my shower and eat in peace. Then I’ll be reaching out my arms and taking over once again.

After all, baby smiles and five year old hugs really are the best. As much as I may currently feel stressed and tired, this is where I belong and I’m blessed to be here.