Rocking the Suburbs?

Since the start of the feminist movement, their has been a murky, and sometimes hateful discussion of motherhood and the "place" of the woman. Growing up in a conservative home, I was taught from example that that was the woman's place: the home. I saw many women, some by choice and some because they had no other option, stay at home, being a maid, a chef, a nurse, a director, a teacher, while their husbands pursued whatever career they desired. Some of them were happy, others were not.

From my childhood, I wanted to do things differently. I have always wanted to avoid the middle-class, SUV-driving, blond-haired, manicured, but not quite thin, stay-at-home soccer mom cliche that the world hates on so much. I didn't want to be a "momzilla". Essentially, a woman who went crazy because she was a full-time mom, not because she wanted to be, but because she had to be.

As an "independently-minded" young adult, soccer moms  suburbs were my greatest fear. Their lackluster monotony reflected the opposite of what I hoped my life would become. Adventurous, enthralling, passionate. I didn't want my greatest accomplishment to be my rose garden lining my picket fence (think American Beauty).When I heard the word "suburb," one might as well have said, "boring," "unambitious" or "settling." I didn't want to be typical or expected. Who does?

Some of these ideas were based off of people that I knew, others are stereotypes, and none of it was probably a completely accurate image of what life as a mom was like.

Nonetheless, here I am several years later, a wife, a mother, an SUV-driver, and (hopefully) a soon-to-be homeowner. I am a full-time mom, and I work part-time and attend school part-time. I am on my way to becoming what I never wanted to be. I spend a lot of my time at home. I've been at it for 7-months, and I often wonder, can I really do this for the rest of my life? Some days, I love being able to spend so much time with my adorable son, who brings me more happiness than anything in the world. But other days, I feel the suburban complacency is curling around me- like a boa constrictor in the process of preparing dinner.Some days, I'm just bored. Not in the sense that I don't have enough to do- I have plenty to do. I am lacking in intellectual stimulation and challenges.

I openly admit it. I am high energy, easily-bored, hyperactive, whatever you want to call it. Not just physically, but mentally and intellectually. I can't drink caffeine. As in, CANNOT. I have way too much energy without it. Plus, I am afraid that I will be suspected of snorting cocaine...

Why do I write this overly-parenthetical monologue?

This is to say that I am in search of the right path for me, balancing my parenting beliefs and my life-style needs. Teeter-tottering amidst career-oriented and family oriented. This is to say that I am less than three semesters away from graduating, and what's next?

Can I have it all?

I heard a celebrity mom who had an illustrious career once say, "You can have it all, just not at the same time."


And just for clarification...

-This is not a moral or religious debate concerning stay-at-home moms.

-Nor is this to say that I don't enjoy domestication. (I love me some Martha).

-I LOVE being a mother, and would have a slew of children if I could. Dmitri is my greatest accomplishment, my greatest joy, and nothing will make me as happy as he does.

-I stereotyped a lot in this post. I am sorry.

-I don't snort cocaine.

-I think roses and picket fences are pretty.

To tie it up:

Do you think you can have it all? What are your priorities? Whatever you do, whether a mom or a career-woman, or a combination...are you fulfilled, happy, bored, etc?