New Job
Meet my new boss, Miss Lillian MacDonald. Today, I signed on for a full time job, that of a stay at home mom (SAHM). Deciding to resign from my previous job was an extremely difficult decision – I evaluated the pros and cons until I was blue in the face. Brian even said he was burnt out from discussing what I should do all the time!
I am walking away from a really great part time opportunity at my old job but I feel that I am called to stay at home and care for my husband, Lillian, and our house. Listening to the Mother’s Day service at our church in May of 2006, I knew that I was put on this Earth to be a mother. Once Lillian was born, I had to determine if I would sacrifice my time with her to work and contribute financially to our family, or stay at home and provide in other ways. The factors in my life that lead me to this decision include:
- Brian’s recent promotion at work not only provides additional financial resources, but also requires him to travel more, meaning that my responsibility at home increases.
- Many people close to me were concerned that I would struggle with feeling isolated if I stayed home. At a recent church service, the speaker spoke of her decision to stay at home with her children and how she was blessed with friendships so that isolation was not an issue. When I think of my own personal life, I have a large number of pregnant friends or those who are already stay at home moms that are always willing to hang out! Even now, our social schedule is booked solid, and quite frankly, it’s exhausting. I’m going to have to actually start backing off the breakfasts/lunches (my waistline will also benefit.)
- Any bulleted list needs at least three points, and although this one isn’t a real factor, I need a third point! In my heart, I really wanted to stay home. I was always willing to go back to work if I felt it was necessary for my family, but my heart wasn’t in it.
So here I am, SAHM. I must admit that part of me still struggles a little bit with worrying that other people will think it’s stupid for me to walk away from my job. I know I have the support of those closest to me and I’m sure the worry will go away as I settle into the rewards of my new role. When I was explaining the situation to Lily earlier today, she was all smiles. Even if I just sit around all day and watch her smile – that’s enough of a reward! I’m excited to see where this new life takes me.
4 Comments
vollbaby on July 24th, 2009
I’m so happy for you! Every mom should be so lucky!
ali on July 24th, 2009
thanks for sharing your journey with us! i love your decision girl and just wish we lived closer so we could do some SAHMing together! perphaps when the babies are old enough we could meet halfway in cbus sometime 
you are a great mom!
Lynn Noel on July 25th, 2009
I am very proud of you and think it’s wonderful! you will be very happy that you decided to do this. especially when she starts talking and walking…you never know when it’s gonna happen and you should be home with her when it does….trust me it’s weird when you’re not the mother and get to see the kids do that stuff for the first time. i always have to video tape stuff.
anyways I love you and Lily is such a lucky girl!
Tara on July 24th, 2009
Lisa,
Tara Be here. Hey I totally get your decision and honestly if I were blessed as you, I’d probably do the same. Just thinking about your blog when you left Lily for the first time with a sitter proves that you made the right decision. Your relationship is so touching.
Being a SAHM is a full time job that has one of the biggest requirements(LOVE)and you’ve got that hands down.
God bless You, Lisa!