What Do You Do?

1st Jan 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

So, you want to know what I do? What my job entails?

I am not going to rant, per se, but perhaps give a little insight to those who constantly ask me what I do. Mind you, they usually know full well I have children, and they just automatically assume I have a full-time out of the house job. I understand that comes from the new (often unfortunate) norm of our culture with both parents working, often out of financial need. I always wonder when that question started to become an ice-breaker…was it when women started to get offended because men assumed they all stayed at home and raised children? **Disclaimer: I do not judge anyone who stays at home, works full-time, chooses daycare, lets wolves raise their children, etc. This is simply what I do in my life. There are a million ways to be an amazing parent. **

I manage three properties my brother and I have, one in Reston, Virginia, one in Arlington, Virginia, and one in Frederick, Maryland. One is a corporate rental, one is a long-term rental, and one is a very short term rental. I manage all the upkeep, renovations, cleaning, utilities, amenities, and bookings. I physically go to each property, some more than others. I also do the marketing for the main short term rental property in Frederick, Maryland.

I also have a two-year-old and a one-year-old. They are not in daycare. I am up with them every single day by 6 AM. They take one nap in the middle of the day for a couple hours, unless the toddler does not want to nap. That is my only “break,” which is generally used to pay bills, clean, do laundry, or eat lunch in peace. They go to bed by 6 PM. I do this every single day of the week and on weekends, 12 hours every day. It is not that simple trying to instill good values and manners into children while allowing their innocence to flourish. That is why, in my “spare minutes” of the day I am studying (reading text books, journal articles, and other publications) on neuropsychology and education in order to truly understand my children’s’ growing brains and how best to help them learn and flourish. I also have two dogs, one that is old and has started to be obstinate and relieve himself in the house, and the other is a diva who must be by my side at all times, and won’t go outside if it is dark, cold, or rainy…

I also have a very busy and hard-working husband to which I attend. Thankfully, he helps out with dinner and the girls in the morning sometimes if he is home.

I recently acquired my 90-year-old grandmother, and she now lives with us. She is pretty self-sufficient, gets around with a walker, and can do most things by herself. I’ll just be in charge of her groceries, medicines, doctors’ appointments, survival, etc.

Obviously, everyone’s’ situation could be worse, or harder, or more taxing. I am not trying to say that I have it hard, because I don’t think I do. But, when people ask me “What do you do?… or do you stay at home?” I don’t want to be one of those overly sensitive mothers, but I really wish people would realize that working 12 hours a day seven days a week just raising children is beyond a full-time job. And guess what? I do not make money from doing this. I do the property management because I enjoy it, and because it gives me extra money. My husband obviously earns the vast majority of our money.

I don’t think explaining to someone the difficulty of child rearing is enough. It just has to be experienced. Some people try harder than others. Some children are more difficult than others. It’s a very individualized experience. I adore it, but it is very difficult and very exhausting.  My toddler is my very best friend; I love talking to her and teaching her everything I know. It is extremely rewarding and delightfully challenging.

I truly feel motherhood is my calling and I intend to work harder than I ever knew possible, since I have the most important job in the world.

 

Does THAT answer your question?

 

 

 

One comment on “What Do You Do?

  1. Cara Y. on said:

    Thank you for posting this! I get asked this kinda stuff all the time and it drives me totally nuts. I never really know what to say but I know they aren’t trying to be rude. Love your stuff. You should really post more.

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