I came to be a stay-at-home mom after the birth of my first child back in 1986. Everyone I knew and worked with dropped their kids at daycare. I just assumed I would too. When I was seven months pregnant, I brought up to my husband that we should look for daycare. I was quite surprised to hear that he thought I should stay home with the baby. I’d never even considered it! My mom had always worked when I was growing up. I happily embraced the idea. My husband proactively got a different job at that time that allowed him to make as much as our previously combined income.
I loved every minute of those 15 years at home with my kids. It relieved a lot of the stress I saw my working friends go through. We never had to wonder who would stay home with a sick kid, or who would run them here and there. It was happily my responsibility. We spent summer days at the community pool, parks and library. We were always on a tight budget, but we took a vacation every year and visited family in other states.
Once the kids were all in school, I went back to work part-time. I wanted to be the one who picked them up after school and I didn’t want a job so important that I couldn’t leave it if they needed me.They were my priority. I’ve never had a job outside of my home that I loved more than those 15 years raising them. In fact, I now include that on my resume! It’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.
Teresa
The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love