When my three children started elementary school, I thought I needed to get a job. I wanted to get paid and told I was doing something well. Mostly, I wanted to feel productive.
I found a wonderful job where I got paid to visit first-time parents and teach them how to play with, nurture and care for their babies. I gave those families eight hours of my time during the day, and I’d come home to my own family exhausted. My youngest son started getting into trouble at school and after school, when he was left unsupervised with his older siblings, he took something from a neighbor. Lastly, he carved a symbol on my husband’s truck. It was an obvious cry for help.
At that time, I was listening to you as I drove to visit my “other” families. Your words hurt and I knew I needed to make a change. After much personal reflection, I told my husband I was quitting and going back to being a stay-at-home mom, being there for MY family again. It was the best decision I made. I volunteered at my kids’ school, my summers were now free again, and I was able to create fun memories with my children. Because I was now able to supervise them after school, the problems stopped and my son turned himself around. He’s now happy, healthy and stable.
Thank you for being the person who spoke to my heart when I needed it.
Valerie
My Children Still Needed Me
