Being a stay at home mom of two can be a challenge at times but a job worth it’s weight in gold. My husband and I decided that I would stay at home when my maternity leave was almost up for my second child and we couldn’t decide on childcare arrangements. We didn’t want to put the childern in daycare, due to the costs and for the simple fact that I really wanted to be the one to raise our children.
I am an ECE (Early Childhood Educator) and taking care of other people’s children had been a very rewarding job. BUT I didn’t want someone else to have that pleasure with my own children. We have struggled through the financial crunch of one income, and with the need to purchase our own home I am constantly looking for ways to bring in some extra cash when time permits.
We live with my parents in a two bedroom basement apartment and have greatly appreciated the opportunity for our children to grow up with my parents right upstairs, and to put some money away for our big purchase, but the walls seem to be closing in on us. With all the things that come with having children, like toys, more toys and other children’s needs we are slowly running out of space.
So I face each day with the knowledge that I am doing what is best for my family and kids but know that one day it may end as we need to move on. I look forward to seeing my children grow and not missing a beat.
Jennifer is a Toronto mom of two and urbanmoms.ca member. Share your thoughts on her story below in comments! If you’d like to contribute a story to The Lounge on urbanmoms.ca, email your contribution, plus a picture of you and your child(ren) to kath@urbanmoms.ca
I’m a teacher too, and I love my work. Of course we miss our time away from our kids, but this truly is the best job a working mother could have. Think of all the other professions you could might have ended up in, and count yourself lucky to be in the most important, most challenging and most rewarding job in the world!
I’m at the stage right now of deciding on a dayhome. Unfortunately my huge student loans will not allow me to stay home, but I would truly love to. My job also doesn’t allow half time. (I teach grade one.) I’m very envious of sahm’s but I know once my kids are in school I will have the best job ever so I have to think of it that way or it will kill me.
I’m a stay-at-home mom and I LOVE IT! I love not “missing a beat,” as you put it….and I hate office jobs…. I also find that, as a SAHM, so many creative opportunities have opened up for me: Cheaty’s Celebrity Gossip, my own blog, my art business. 🙂 It’s been really great.
Congratulations on taking the step to stay at home with your children – I’m sure you’ll find it’s such an awesome, rewarding experience! I’m also so thankful to be able to stay at home with my 2 daughters & it’s so nice to have my littlest one help me out during the day & be there for my older daughter when she comes home from school, has sports I can attend to, etc.
I’m very fortunate to have found a company that allows me to work from home with extremely flexible hours by helping people create safer homes for their children. The company is expanding nationally & internationally & is looking for more people to work from home as well so if you’re interested, send me an email & I’ll get you some more information.
Isn’t it amazing how few mom-friendly employment opportunities there are?! I am glad urbanmoms.ca can let me work with a flexible schedule.
I always think about this with all of the nannies in my neighbourhood. Most of them have children of their own but back in the Phillipines! I think it would be so hard to care for someone else’s children when you haven’t seen your own in months or, often, years. We are still so lucky in so many ways.
I am/was a Kindergarten teacher and I too felt the same way about going back to work to be with other people’s children when I could stay at home and raise my own. I am a stay at home Mom as well and am loving every minute of it, it’s something I have always dreamt of doing. Yes, financial decisions are different now that we are on one income, but it is about balance and necessaties now.
we have struggled on one salary since my oldest was born.i help out as much as i can but its tough.but its also worth it to be home and available for my children.i am glad for the sacrifice as i’ve been here for important milestones.and many more too come!
Jennifer: my husband and I made a similar decision after our 2nd was born 3.5 years ago. Losing one income was a HUGE adjustment for us, but I don’t regret the decision. And now, to my incredible good fortune, I’m able to work from home for urbanmoms! When the time is right for your family, I’m sure you’ll find a wonderful opportunity as well.