Mama Kat's Writers Workshop
Prompt #1. Return to work after baby was born or stay home? How did you make your decision?
I'll give you five reasons why I chose to stay home . . .
OK the dog is a bonus, but I raised him from a pup and he died when he was 17.
For me the choice to be a stay at home mother was a natural choice. I just didn't think there was anyone who loved my children as much as I did. I was too excited about motherhood to even be frightened by it. I knew I wouldn't do everything right, but everything I did I would do because I loved them. I didn't want to miss a thing either. I didn't want to pick my kids up at the end of the day and have somebody else tell me they took their first step or said their first word. Motherhood is a wonderful experience and I wanted to experience it all. I've never regretted my choice to stay home and raise my children. I've never even felt "unfulfilled" or like I missed something. I am my own boss. I plan my own day. I have plenty of "me" time and best of all I am surrounded by people who love me even when they are irritated with me. I don't think I could even find a better work environment if I tried. But of course you don't get paid for being a mom . . . so someone has to be willing to work hard and bring in the funds it takes to raise a family. Fortunately for me Mr. J was that person, sometimes working up to three jobs. We just felt it was the right thing to do. It may not work for everyone but it worked for us. Being on the back-side and looking back I can definitely say I made the right choice.
How about you? Stay at home? Or back to work?
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15 comments:
I was blessed to be able to stay-at-home when Marc was born for a year and then again when he was four. I wish everyone could afford to do that. I believe our children today are missing out on that big time!! My mom didn't work outside of the home until I was 15 and I hated it!
We made the same decision and were fortunate enough to be able to live on one income. I felt like you -- if I was going to be a mom, I wanted to fully experience it and be there for all of it. It is hard at times but the rewards far outweigh the downside.
God has a plan. For years we tried to have kids and nothing happened. We lived in a more expensive city then. Had we had a child then, we probably never would have moved and I know for sure we would not have been able to afford me staying home. But thankfully God knows what he does. Fast forward, new city and now we can afford it. I'm 6 weeks into being a stay at home mom. I'm sleepy but it's worth it. We feel the same way. No one will love her and care for her the way we do.
Well my guys are now men. I looked after my niece's two girls a few weeks ago, they were sick, and when I got home I thought to myself, that's the best thing I did for my kids. They could be sick at home without me worrying about paying daycare when they were not there, they didn't have to get up and out the door before 6a.m.my kids didn't even want to stay for lunch, I cooked lunch for 17 years. Well and still do, but you know what I mean. I finally decided they needed to learn to play with their classmates so I became a pizza mom, just so they couldn't come home for lunch at least one day a month. Do you know they brought their pizza slices home and ate them, could'a just slugged them. Now on the other hand, I don't think as men they appreciate that I am capable of holding down a job, other than cooking their lunch. I didn't drive, because we couldn't afford another car, so now when we can I'm tool old to learn. Would I do it again, YUP!
Stayed home! I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I have loved almost every minute, and the minutes I didn't love have faded blessedly fast!
Awww! such a sweet post. I look back with no regrets either. Being a stay at home mom is not easy. But as I look back on those years I would live in a shack rather than not be with my kids. The rewards you receive dailey are priceless.
I am also feel blessed I can be home when my married kids need me.
Worked weekends. Husband worked the week, so a parent was always with them. Date nights they stayed with Grandma, who lived very close. This worked very well for us!
Stayed at home! And every penny pinchimg moment wss worth it when my 21-yr-old son told his future wife that he wouldn't trade his childhood and wanted the same for his kids.
What a great Mama! Did you ever have to work at all during your period at home?
We made the same choice and for many of the same reasons as you.
I wanted to raise my kids not have someone else do it and it made no sense to work just to have the money go out for a babysitter. Sure there were sacrifices but in the end I too would do it all over again.
I feel the same way too! Mine are 10 and 8 now and I still am at home. I can't imagine sending them to daycare after school. I do homeschool one of them, so I guess it would be just one in daycare, but you get what I mean, I'm sure! Would it be nice to not have to worry about the bills getting paid on time each and every month, yes? Would I give up the time I had with them to have those bills paid in full, no way!
I wish I could stay home, but I'm glad that you can tend my baby even though I can't. I'm glad I work though...honestly I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have something to work my day around.
You have super cute kids too :)
I can't imagine not being home with my babies, either! Although my circumstances changed dramatically with a divorce and having to raise 5 kids myself, I was so fortunate to have a loving and supportive family (you know what I mean). Sometimes we encounter circumstances beyond our control and we just have to do the best we can. The important thing is.... move forward!
My youngest was still at home at the time of my divorce. I loaded her backpack up with story books, crayons, a coloring books and she went to college with me. It was such a good experience. I feel very blessed to have experienced both being a full time mother and receiving a valuable education. I had the best of both worlds.
I wanted to grab your button and put it on my blog, but it won't let me. Says I need permission.
I'm sure it was the right thing to do. You have great kids and grandkids to prove it was worthwhile.
How adorable your children were! (and are) My mom worked and I absolutely never had a problem with it. I think it was good for me to see her thriving at work. It forced me to see her as a person, not only as my mom. That being said, until I was in kindergarten I always sayed with family while she worked, so I was always surrounded by love :)
I am a stay at home mom and am thankful for the opportunity, but do plan on Gage spending some time at a preschool early on. A litmited time at least.
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