Sunday, November 4, 2012

What I Would Give to Be a SAHM

I've been thinking a lot about daycare lately. Or where my baby will be spending the days while I'm at work. I'm realizing now, even before the baby is born, that I would give anything to be a stay-at-home-mom. Unfortunately, we can't seem to work the finances where that would be an option.

Maybe there is someone out there that can offer me some advice. Are you a working mother? What does your baby do while you're at work? Are you a SAHM? How did you decide that was the best for your family? Is it a big financial hardship?

I genuinely feel guilty already. The baby is growing so much, inside me, and I can't imagine how much they will grow when they're out! I just want to be the one that gets to love on them, teach them, be with them.

I'm praying... But maybe you have advice? Will you share your story with me?


4 comments:

Caroline Gant said...

well, since i grew up in a single parent family (which that part doesn't apply to you), i went to work with my mom and was homeschooled.

have you thought about working form home? or is that not an option either?

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

I work from home. In a lot of ways it has been perfect, but it has it's challenges. When B was younger it was hard for him to understand that although it looked like I was home, I was working. Now that he is in school I am able to work while he is there, but it is hard to not let work bleed into the time that he is home. I can tell you this, I have friends who are SAHM, WAHM, Full time working moms. All come with their own set of challenges and guilt, and sacrifices. You need to do what is best for you overall. That might mean cutting way way back so that financially you can stay home, it might mean a career change, it might mean working full time, it might mean a lot of things. Just know that as long as you stay true to yourself and your heart, it will be the right decision. You will be a great mom and your child will grow up with your love...even if you have to keep working. I know it is a tough decision and overwhelming. I feel for you. I was there once! Hang in there!

Francis said...

I've been working since I was 16 and stopped working in January of this year. That being said, my oldest had to be cared by someone else while I worked but I was lucky that it was family and I didn't have to put her in daycare until she was 3 and a half. I wasn't going to have help with my second and I didn't want to put her in daycare so I gave up my career. I saved up for it and had a decent amount in savings. It ran out 7 months later and that motivated me to start my own business. It's a balancing act. If you want to stay at home you should try living off your husbands income alone for a few months and see how it goes.

Allison said...

My baby girl is 3 months and I go back to work in a little over a week. Staying home is a dream of mine too but like you it isn't an option currently. I feel really sad about leaving her but I know she will be okay. We chose a home daycare actually run by a friend of a friend who I have grown to trust. It is never to early to start looking especially because home daycares can only take one or 2 infants.

Also my husband I recently sat down looked at our budget and made a financial goal for me staying home in the future or working part time. That way we know exactly what we need to make to make it work and what we can sacrifice. Our budget is already pretty tight so it is a matter of my husband finding a new job. But once we wrote it out I realized it is more doable then I thought.

Just know there is nothing wrong with being a working mom and don't let others judge you. I have felt pretty judged already but am trusting God that he has a plan and purpose for this season of life.