**disclaimer: I am not for or against moms working outside the home. I am pro-whatever works for you and your family. This is my story...and the names have not been changed to protect anyone.
As most of you know, I work from home. I used to work long, long hours at a pretty stressful job. (Paid well, but at what cost to my family?)
I wanted to try something new...I wanted to be home with DD3 (13 at the time) and I wanted to be here for my mom and dad.
And in all honesty, I didn't like the person Id become. I was not a very nice person at home...the house was NEVER clean, I was cranky, I didn't have time to spend with those I loved.
At materialistic sacrifice (I dont think thats a bad thing) we adjusted and now I have been home for over a year.
And here is what Ive noticed:
* We eat out as a TREAT rather than a routine.
* I can cook
* DD3s grades have come up
* DH and I can now say we are "happily married"
* I have spent less than $50 on clothes for myself this past year. (and have not bought pantyhose once!!!)
* DD3 is able to be involved because someone is here to taxi her as needed.
* I spend lots of QUALITY time with my g-kids.
* the family stress level is so much lower.
* bugdeting is fun
* water softener does make whites whiter
* grandbabies kisses are pure gold
and the list just goes on.
The (initial) downside of not having money is a thing of the past...My family has adjusted and we live well (which means we are happy, NOT that we spend whatever we want)
And last night, on the way to DD3s Color Guard practice...DD3 said "mom, I wouldnt get to do all of this if you were still working would I"...and I said probably not..and she said "I am really glad your home mom, thanks"....and thats really, all I need.
Staying Home
June 20th, 2006 at 03:18 pm
June 20th, 2006 at 04:04 pm 1150819451
June 20th, 2006 at 06:26 pm 1150828019
I was in a situation very similar to yours. For 9 years, i worked in high paying financial services field as a marketing writer. The commute was over an hour, the unspoken 'culture' was to work long hours and i was very tired, very cranky most of the time.
While i'm not a stay at home mom, i did give up that career track for a much saner schedule with much more personal time and a job in my hometown. I would never have thought i'd have found this kind of job so close to home, but here i am.
The $ and benefits don't hold a candle to what i had, but at least i have my life back, i never sit in traffic pounding my fist on the wheel and i actually have discretionary time.
June 21st, 2006 at 12:47 am 1150850862
June 23rd, 2006 at 03:01 am 1151031666