Lessons in Parenting: Stay At Home Mom

Background:
Today, I embark on a new phase of life. When I turned thirteen, I became a mother's helper for a mom around the block. That summer, I began working at the Boys & Girls Club. I continued to babysit for countless local families. This continued throughout college until I obtained a job at a local early intervention school when I was off for summer vacation from college. Immediately after graduating college, I obtained the job that I had until today. For the first time, since I was old enough to work, I'm unemployed in the traditional sense. I am a stay-at-home-mom. This isn't to say that I won't be tutoring or doing something else part time to help support us financially but, I won't be employed full time.

Why?
I have been blessed to be home with my son full time since he was born on May 22nd. I was given 8 weeks maternity leave (c-section). When my maternity leave ended, I was on summer vacation. At this point, for a number of reasons, I don't feel like I could leave him all day. Some of them are: He is breast fed on demand. and is used to having his momma with him all day. He sleeps in his bassinet attached to my side of the bed. He loves being carried in his Moby wrap and snuggling with his momma. I just don't feel like I can leave him all day. I have trouble just running to the store!

How?
Financially, this is going to be a strain because both my husband and I have tremendous school loans as well as other debt as a result of graduate/law school. We are in the process of looking to consolidate everything which will help our financial situation. We are looking into ways of saving more money on expenses. We've already moved in with my parents. We are looking to cloth diaper to save more money on disposable diapers.

What?
I am looking to tutor as well as basically do anything that I can be paid for while having our little one with me. We are fortunate that the hubby found a job with great benefits just before our little one was born. I think it would be great to do something completely different than what I've been doing (aka get out of formal education).

Do any of you have any ideas? 

If I could have my way, I would take the little one to school with me and teach with him there everyday but, unfortunately this not how our system works. It would absolutely be the best of both worlds.

This isn't going to be an easy transition. I LOVED my job but, it breaks my heart to think of leaving my son who I LOVE more than my job. My job was where I met some of the most amazing people I have ever known. We've been in each other's weddings. We've been through some of the happiest and saddest times together. We were a family. I hope my coworkers know that I'm not doing this to hurt them in any way. I know that I will not be able to give my all to the job if, my little one is at a baby sitter. I feel I am actually being more fair to them by taking a leave of absence (hopefully) for the year. My leave of absence has to be approved. Otherwise it becomes a resignation. The meeting is today at noon. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated. 


For the past 7 years, I've been serving the Christian church as best I knew how, teaching. Now, my service is changing to serve my son and my family. My goal at the end of all of this is to hear the phrase, "Well done good and faithful servant."

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11 comments:

  1. I recently made the transition from teacher to stay at home mom. It was hard losing the extra income, but like you I just loved my baby so much I couldn't leave her all day. A friend told me once "Teaching will always be here, but your baby is only a baby once." Good luck.

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  2. Good luck with it. Have a super week.

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  3. I quit my job when I had a second child. Careless nanny/maid which always make headlines terrifying me. It never easy, but you're not alone. Good luck.
    visiting u from the blog hope. have a great day :)
    http://healthybeautifulblog.blogspot.com

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  4. I chose to say home after our daughter was born and haven't regretted it yet. I feel so blessed to be able to spend every day with her. Way to go on following your heart and stepping out on a limb financially and trusting God with your future.
    One of the biggest money savers for us has been cloth diapering. I also breast feed and make all her baby food so in general the addition of a little one has been very minimal for us. Cloth diapers are amazing though. I spent a little over $300 total but have everything I need until she is potty trained. My sis in law just switched to cloth and bought all of hers used and in good condition for around 3 bucks a diaper. I was blown away by how little money she had to spend.
    I hope you continue to enjoy your "new" job.

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  5. It's hard isn't it. I had 12 months off and I'm now back at work three days per week which is a really good balance. I wish you the best of luck with finding a path that suits your family. Thanks for linking up for Flash Blog Friday :-)

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  6. Reading that reminded me of all the reasons I do not want to go back to work...and yet I'm starting a teaching job in a few weeks (part-time thank goodness!). It seems we are switching positions! I'll pray that you make it work!

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  7. Good luck, I hope they approve it as a leave of absence! That must have been a very hard decision but you have to follow your heart. I'm sure the rest will work itself out!!

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  8. What an exciting and daunting time in your life. Wishing you good fortune and happiness in your transition to a stay at home mum x

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  9. How exciting, friend! It's definitely one of the biggest decisions a woman can make. I'll be praying for you to have wisdom! I'm so glad you linked up to the Mixer and I hope to see you again on Thursday! Also, come on by and enter to win a super adorable Thirty-One bag or some awesome discounts on a Thirty-One order! :)

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  10. You can do this! As a stay-at-home mom, you can save a lot on expenses, from food to child care to cleaning supplies. While you might not be able to save your family as much as you would earn by working, it can still be a lot! Your expenses will be lower with one of you staying at home—at least they can be, if you choose to work hard at it, and it sounds like you will.

    Getting out of debt will make you free. Have you read Dave Ramsey's book, The Total Money Makeover? I think it would have a lot of good tips for you.

    Best wishes to you and I hope that you are able to make staying at home with your child work out well.

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  11. Good for you for being willing to fight for what you really want in life! It can be hard to give up a certain level of income to stay at home - I did this too with my daughter, and although the transition has been difficult, I'm so glad I did it!

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