I worked as an assistant editor (actually a glorified title) of a business publication; was the groups and conventions manager of a resort on the beach in Los Cabos, Mexico; traveled the world as an international training manager of a major airline and benefited from the perks of working in marketing for the same airline. Most of the time, I enjoyed working. I like to multitask and I like to feel my brain is being stretched. I liked the interaction with other people. I loved the travel. I liked being taken out to nice restaurants. I liked yearly interviews where I was told I was doing a good job and got a pay raise. I loved a regular paycheck that covered the bills with a little left over for savings.
Even when I was working, I always knew the job I really wanted was to be a stay at home mom. I think my supervisors and co-workers always knew that as well. I worked hard and I think I did a good job, but I never wanted to climb the corporate ladder. I just wanted to be a mother. It took much longer than I thought it would.
When we moved back to Utah, I downgraded and when Baylie was about 16 months old, I took early retirement with flight benefits. I have never regretted that choice. I love being with my kids all day. It is exhausting. It is hard. Many times it is thankless. But I have a 4-year-old girl that tells me she loves me several times a day. I get knee-high hugs from a two year old that almost knocks me over several times a day. No amount of money could be better pay than that.
We are not wealthy. In fact, we are dirt poor. We live off school loans, receive WIC vouchers, use Medicaid and shop with coupons. Many people question the wisdom of my decision in light of our financial situation. They think that it is irresponsible. I don't care. I can always go back to work, but my kids will only be little once.
There are so many little things I would miss if I weren't here. It's not so much the big milestones, but the little things they do and say every day. I'm so grateful not to miss any of them. There are studies that show what stay at home moms are really worth. To be honest, that's not why I stay home. I stay home for selfish reasons. I stay home because I don't want anyone else to witness these little moments but me.
5 comments:
I wanted write a blog about this too! I 100% agree with you! People ask how can you afford to do that? And I always reply, we cannot afford not too!
I completely agree. My kids are the most important investment that I will ever make to my family and the world. I wouldn't want any other person managing an investment that important to me. Kids are little for such a small period of time I want to be in every moment.
I should note that I'm grateful for a husband who also thinks the most important work I can do is at home.
I remember when you were a freshman in high school and came home when I wasn't there. Five minutes later I came and you said "Where were you? You weren't home." I didn't think it would matter if I was a few minutes late. It did. I am so glad that I made a difference in your life. It made me feel so fulfilled and that what I was doing was not only important but very valuable. Thank you for being such a good mother to our grandchildren.
Awesome statement: "I can always go back to work, but my kids will only be little once."
Thanks for the addendum comment about me, but I'd have to say the most important work you do comes to a tossup between that and your skills in the baking department. But I suppose if you balanced the two to an equal number of hours per week, I'd be okay with that.
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