Work vs. Work

This is a conversation that has been going back and forth for far too long, yet never seems to make any ground either way. Working outside the home Moms vs. Stay at home Moms....Can we "have it all" and what does that mean? Personally, I do believe that if you want to "have it all" i.e. have a career and be a mother, you can and should. My hat is off to those women because I have a hard enough time as it is staying at home and raising my family let alone having a full- time-outside- the- home job to juggle, too. It is amazing to me the number of people, mostly WOMEN mind you, who seem to think that my staying home is a luxury, and that I sit around all day with my girlfriends eating chocolate and drinking champagne. That all I do is a bit of laundry, take care of my baby and a few other things and that is it. You would not believe, or maybe you would if you are in this situation also, how many people have suggested that I "get a job".... OK, first of all, I have a job. The most important job anyone will ever have and I am damn good at it too!!! I not only take care of our beautiful baby girl, but I manage our home, including finances, as well. Not an easy task. I also have outside jobs to bring in extra money, which do take time and energy. You might say I have three jobs right now. Now, do not get me wrong... I LOVE staying home. This is what my husband and I decided was best for OUR family and I am thankful for every second of time I get with my daughter. I am just really tired of being criticized for it. I also do not understand it when people constantly insist that I should get away from my daughter more. I am "away" from her twice a week and that is plenty. Also, I did not have a child just so I could escape from her or give her to someone else to raise! It seems as though you can never win, can you? You can't please everyone so why try, yes? If I worked 50 hrs a week out of the home, I would be a bad Mom, in some eyes, and then those who judge would tell me to "cut back on work". If I stay at home, they want me to get a "job". Well, as soon as I post this, I am letting it all go. This is my life, our life, and we'll do what WE want, right? No more apologies, people!! If you don't agree with my choices, fine. You don't have to live my life. Thankfully, it is my life....