Staying Home
Jonathan and I were both blessed to be raised by stay at home moms. Dad was the breadwinner of the home while mom was the cook, maid, nurse, best friend, voice of reason, dry cleaning lady, and taxi. Our goal is to repeat history and have me to stay home with Joanna and her future siblings in their first years. We're still figuring out the logistics to see if we can actually afford for me to stay home, but we're praying it's God's will.
The unemployment rate in this country can certainly be overwhelming. 1 out of 10 people are looking for a job, and even more are underemployed and barely able to get by. We were a single income household for the first 2 years of our marriage, living on one paycheck and savings. At this point in our lives, logic would say "but, if you make more money having two incomes and having her in daycare, why are you going to give up your independence?" Two very loaded questions in that one statement. We finally have two incomes and have found ourselves to be financially stable. Jonathan and I would make money with two incomes since childcare is very affordable in Lynchburg. But its not about the money.
When I was a nanny for three amazingly adorable active boys, I had the time of my life being their not-quite-parent-but-kind-of when their parents were working. It was a 3 days a week from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. gig that helped me go to George Mason and finish my degree. I learned so much more than the textbooks taught in my childhood development classes, most of the lessons about myself and my own limits. However, as I watched little Nay Nay grow from a 6 month old monkey into a 3 year old acrobat, I couldn't help but be sad that his parents were missing it. He was the third child and most parents don't take as much notice on the third child (and that's coming from a third child). They missed his first steps. They missed the look in his eyes as he realized he kept his balance longer than ever before. They missed his laugh when he grabbed his goal - his bottle of formula. It made me so proud and so sad to witness this moment. This is why I want to stay home: I want to be here for Joanna.
But what of independence?
*sigh* I admit that I was the first to say "I'm absolutely going back to work. I need to work for my own sanity." The more pregnant I become, the more I fall in love with the idea of witnessing my child(ren) grow and learn. I have 2.3 degrees to my name and I am fiercely independent when it comes to many things. (I not only march to my own beat, I married a drummer.) I love my job and my staff, but I know being Joanna's mommy will be the best job I'll ever have. Becoming a parent means giving up a part of yourself to give it to someone else. It's not about my independence as a woman - it's about my child and my role as both a woman and mother.
Ultimately, to each his own! I vow to not judge mothers who choose or have no choice to go to work after giving birth. It's a very personal decision and I hope we can go the route we desire. God willing, He'll provide so we can do this for Joanna!
The unemployment rate in this country can certainly be overwhelming. 1 out of 10 people are looking for a job, and even more are underemployed and barely able to get by. We were a single income household for the first 2 years of our marriage, living on one paycheck and savings. At this point in our lives, logic would say "but, if you make more money having two incomes and having her in daycare, why are you going to give up your independence?" Two very loaded questions in that one statement. We finally have two incomes and have found ourselves to be financially stable. Jonathan and I would make money with two incomes since childcare is very affordable in Lynchburg. But its not about the money.
When I was a nanny for three amazingly adorable active boys, I had the time of my life being their not-quite-parent-but-kind-of when their parents were working. It was a 3 days a week from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. gig that helped me go to George Mason and finish my degree. I learned so much more than the textbooks taught in my childhood development classes, most of the lessons about myself and my own limits. However, as I watched little Nay Nay grow from a 6 month old monkey into a 3 year old acrobat, I couldn't help but be sad that his parents were missing it. He was the third child and most parents don't take as much notice on the third child (and that's coming from a third child). They missed his first steps. They missed the look in his eyes as he realized he kept his balance longer than ever before. They missed his laugh when he grabbed his goal - his bottle of formula. It made me so proud and so sad to witness this moment. This is why I want to stay home: I want to be here for Joanna.
But what of independence?
*sigh* I admit that I was the first to say "I'm absolutely going back to work. I need to work for my own sanity." The more pregnant I become, the more I fall in love with the idea of witnessing my child(ren) grow and learn. I have 2.3 degrees to my name and I am fiercely independent when it comes to many things. (I not only march to my own beat, I married a drummer.) I love my job and my staff, but I know being Joanna's mommy will be the best job I'll ever have. Becoming a parent means giving up a part of yourself to give it to someone else. It's not about my independence as a woman - it's about my child and my role as both a woman and mother.
Ultimately, to each his own! I vow to not judge mothers who choose or have no choice to go to work after giving birth. It's a very personal decision and I hope we can go the route we desire. God willing, He'll provide so we can do this for Joanna!
So often, the margin of more income with childcare is not that great. The value of those experiences far outweighs the very little difference. It is very much to each his own. I've known dads stay at home too. In my personal experience, I believe I could work in my child's day care so as to give them experience, me some time of my own and still be close enough to witness it all. There are also options where you raise together with other parents. That way, each parent has a few hours a week to get errands done and return the favor as well. Or "play dates" which are as much for the parents, as the children!
ReplyDeleteStay at home parents don't have to be limited to the house and their children alone. Stay social and the child will grow as you do.
But also remember that it is different as each child appears. Don't commit to what you cannot predict and feel guilty for the change. My mom was able to quit working and stay at home around the time my sister was born. And then my brother was born and she was still at home. Once my brother was adjusted to early elementary school, she went back to school and then back to work in her true calling as a nurse. Sometimes I feel lucky I had her at home as much as I did, other times I feel she went to work at the worst time possible. Keep an open mind as to the whole thing. :)
Amen amen amen!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about home schooling, too. Some kids need it and others need public/private schooling. It's going to really depend on what kind of child(ren) we have.
I'm especially thankful I have people like you to keep me sane through it all :)