I’ve always wanted to be a mom, which is odd because I never really cared for other people’s kids. But I knew that I wanted my own kids once I was married and such. When I got pregnant with my daughter 3 months after we had started trying for a baby, my husband and I had to make all sorts of decisions. One was that I was going to go back to work.
So I never intended on being a stay at home mom, but I found myself suddenly thrust into that role when I got a call the day before I was due to go back to work telling me that I was laid off. This was in December 2008 when the economy had tanked, so I wasn’t that surprised but it was upsetting all the same.
I looked for a job for about 6 months before I gave up and decided to go back to school. Since I’ve been a college student, I haven’t been a very traditional stay at home mom. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been busier in my life. In addition to school, I do some writing work online for extra money along with the house wifey duties since my husband works a lot of overtime and goes to school as well. Playing with and caring for my toddler also takes up a big chunk of my time, of course.
While I didn’t intend to be a stay at home mom, I’m glad now that I’ve gotten the chance to spend this time with my daughter. I’m due to graduate from college in December and I’m a little nervous about entering back into the workforce. I am hoping to get a work at home job so I can have the best of both worlds.
Mandy – I totally understand that. I never in a million years thought I’d be a stay at home mom. A few weeks before the twins were born I found out I was laid off. Since I couldn’t really look for a job that close to my due date I had to wait until afterwards. Then it was the holidays and now a year later here I am with no spare time to really look because of the kids and a husband that travels. I’ve really enjoyed the extra time with the kids but as a software developer I know I need to get back out there too. I’m hoping to find something part time or something with a few telecommute days as well. It will be tough to go back and I never thought I would say that. So yes, I understand! 🙂
I got laid off when the subprime mortgage market tanked, and since I’d had a few miscarriages, we decided I should stay home and concentrate on staying pregnant. I also went back to school and was a non-traditional SAHM. When my little guy was almost two, I went back to work and have since then had another little guy, who is three months old now. We’re still working towards me being able to stay at home with them full time and I’m having the opposite problem that you are. I’m terrified of the idea of being at home alone with both of them all day. I couldn’t imagine leaving my first one, but now that I’ve been forced by our financial situation to work full time outside of the home, I’m afraid that I’ve lost my touch, and that I won’t be able to do it. I know it’s the best thing for them but it’s hard leaving a job that I can walk away from at 5pm to go back to one that is 24hrs a day like being a stay at home mom. Good post, one I’m sure most of your readers can identify with.
Hello fellow Browncoat! It’s amazing where life takes you isn’t it? I was laid off when my daughter was a year old and suddenly, life became much more relaxed in our home. I wondered why should I go back into the workforce. I became a work at home mom and it was the BEST thing I ever did for me and my daughter. My next step will be going back to school so thank you for sharing your story.