I believe that women often have to make really hard choices when it comes to knowing what is best for themselves and their family.
And then sometimes knowing what is best is only half the battle, because then you actually have to have the faith to act on it.
For those of you that don’t know, I have been a full-time working mom for the past three years.
This has been a good season of motherhood.
With the arrival of baby number two, my heart has been wrestling on whether I should stay home or go back to work. There are pros and cons to both.
Both would be hard, but good.
After much consideration, we have made the decision for me to stay home. I know deep down that it is time to “lean out”. Time for a new season of motherhood.
I am going to be a Stay At Home Mom.
(notice how I capitalized my title? hey, why not?!)
Am I afraid? Sure.
Emotional? You bet.
Excited? Yes!
But more than anything I am grateful.
Grateful that I have the choice. Grateful that we have two healthy boys that have made me a mom. Grateful to my husband for working hard to provide for us. Grateful to close family for all of the help, support, and relief they provide.
Will I stay home forever? I don’t know. I do know that in this season of my life, this season of motherhood, home is where I want to be.
Will it be easy? Um, no. This mommy job is the real deal.
This will be hard, but good.
It is tough letting go of my career, letting go of the routine I know, but I am optimistic that new doors will open in the coming years. I will miss the camaraderie of the office, but hey, that is what you are for! 🙂 SSOM is a great outlet for me and you will probably just be hearing more from me here!
Baby Brooks will be three months on Wednesday and I would be starting back to work tomorrow. Instead of waking up, getting dressed up, getting two kids out the door, driving in rush hour traffic and putting in a full day at the office…
I will be home. With my crew. Being a Mom.
Enjoying this season of my life. And I couldn’t be more happy about it.
Oh, I am so happy for you! Enjoy every minute! Congratulations!
Thanks Amber!
Congrats Heather!! Very exciting news 🙂
Thanks Emily! I am excited!
Welcome to the club! Enjoy every moment:)
Thanks Amelia! I am so glad to be part of the club!
I made that same choice about 32 years ago…and I do believe all was for the best. I was home for my kids even after they went to school. Middle school and high schoolers need a parent at home when they get home…if at all possible. I understand that many moms do not have that choice. And yes…it was hard. But it was harder to teach all day and then return home for a second shift. Good decision. sheila@mykentuckyliving
I agree, the second shift is really tough. Thanks for your words of encouragement!
Love you mama.
Love you too mama!
Congrats Sissy! So very happy for you!
Thanks sissy! I will be calling you when I need some encouragement!
Congrats on a hard decision, but you will enjoy this time. It goes SO fast!
Best,
Amy
Thanks Amy! It really does go by fast. It's hard to believe it has already been three months since Brooks was born. It's such mixed emotions- you want them to grow up, but you want them to stay little too.
Congrats on your decision. I am a Stay at Home Mom and have been very happy with my decision. My boys are 10 and 8 now and the time has gone SO fast. Enjoy!
Shelley
Thanks for the encouragement Shelley!
I've been a Stay-at-home-mom for 10 years now, and have enjoyed every minute of it.
We had our babies the same day–June 25! I had a baby girl and just started work this past Monday. It has been SO hard leaving her. My husband and I are looking at other options so I can stay at home. I loved your post and so happy you can stay with your sweet boys. It really is the BEST decision–one that I hope I'm in very soon!
Aw! Congrats on the arrival of your baby girl! I hope you can find a way to make whatever you decide work out. I worked for several years after my first, and it all has a way of working out! Best, Heather
A decision you will not regret! My kids are 22 and 25. I'm so thankful for the time we had together…it wasn't all perfect and sometimes I missed the work world but there's time for that. 🙂
Whoo hoo! That's so exciting, Heather! And while I know this wasn't an easy decision to make, my hope is that you have peace about it – – and that you'll savor this extra time you get with your sweet boys. CONGRATS!
Thanks for your support girl! I am getting into the swing of things, I didn't expect a learning curve with the new job! 🙂