Well, hello! Thanks for not giving up on me. I know I have neglected my blog. I have a long list of things and people I have neglected. Cleaning and organizing my home are right up there on the top of my list along with keeping this blog updated, putting pictures on Snapfish, and keeping the kids photo albums up to date. Where does one find the time to be a mom, work, and do all the things that I have been neglecting to to? If anyone can find me the answer, I would love to know!
This Monday night I had a meeting with my Thirty One team and I shared with them the inspiring words above. I shared these with my team and shared how these words have been meaningful to me as I make huge changes in my life. Most of you know this, but I have made the decision to take a leave of absence from my teaching job to stay home with my kids. One of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, but I am feeling 100% confident in my decision now and thrilled (and blessed!) to be able to do what I've always wanted to do! I won't bore you with all the details that have gone into this decision making process, but a few notes...
1. For me, being able to stay home with my children while they are young has been my ultimate dream. While I will be the first to admit, there are days when I know I will go crazy and want to get away, I had the advantages growing up of having a stay at home mom and I wouldn't trade that for anything. With that being said, I have to say that we had the most wonderful daycare that anyone could ask for. Our daycare mom was a saint, taught my kids many many many wonderful things, had patience for them like no other, and for that we owe her the world. For me, leaving our daycare was the hands down hardest part about the whole situation. I hope to be able to continue to have play dates with many of my friends who have kids and continue to expose my children to many experiences with other children (library story times, ECFE classes, athletic camps, etc) while they are home with me. I do believe that interaction with other children is very important and I plan to do that as much as possible.
2. Money. That's another tough part about this whole thing. How does one family go from two incomes to one and survive? This we have yet to establish and figure out. I'll tell you that I realize the sacrifices we will make and I am full on ready to take them on. I have to say that I already feel like I'm a pretty "thrifty" spender in some ways, while I know that there are many areas that I will need to learn to be better! Every time I have an urge to have the latest and greatest, I will need to remind myself that I am home with my children like I have always wanted to do, and that's what matters. Will this be hard, yes! Will it be worth it, yes! I will never be able to get these years back and as I shared with my sister in law a few months ago...I don't ever want to look back down the road when my kids are grown and wish that I had stayed home and enjoyed every second with them. Back to money...my Thirty One business definitely helps out in that area and I hope to be able to find a nice family looking for part-time daycare that I can take into my home. I will keep up my teaching license and perhaps sub a little here or there, but for now my heart is at home with my babies!
(Disclaimer: I do want to point out that I realize being a stay at home mom isn't for everyone. I know many moms who love going to work and that's what is right for them. I am in no way implying that this is the better choice for everyone, but for me it is.)
Thanks for listening! I hope to be able to update this blog more often with all my new-found time! Or should I say lack of time with two kids hanging on me all hours of the day?
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