Being a Working Mom vs. Staying Home

Hi friends! We had the best long weekend. We swam, hung out with friends, ate, slept in, and were together, which is all that matters!

Today I want to answer a question I get a lot: How do you feel about going back to work instead of staying home?

You might remember that a year ago I resigned after the school year to stay home with Graham. Then, I panicked in July and realized staying home was just not for me. Now, a year later I am here to update you and...

It was the best decision I could have ever made!

Truthfully, I cringe thinking about staying home all day, everyday. I am just not wired like that. I don't like crafts and don't want to teach my kid his ABC's or colors. I teach 5th grade because I don't enjoy the "little kid stuff."

I also need something for me and I need to feel as though I have more than just "mom and wife" on my resume. I am speaking only for me when I say that staying home made me cray-zeeeee. How come Chris got to pee when he wanted? How come he got to eat lunch in peace? How come I have to clean up after everyone? Not fair! Those thoughts never subsided which lead me to want to go back to work. And hire back our cleaning lady, asap.

Thankfully, being a teacher means I get lots of breaks and all holidays with my little guy, which is just the right amount of time for us to be together. He doesn't love me any less than me staying home all day and my sanity right where it needs to be. I am a happier wife and mom because I get to pursue my passion.

Being a working mom is hard and being a stay at home mom is hard, but for me and myself, I need to work. I need to be apart of something just for me and I need to get out of the house.

This next school year I will be teaching at a school 10 minutes from our new house and I couldn't be more thrilled. The school I am finishing up at is 50 minutes away and Chris and I decided that, although I love it, being closer to home is key as we think about the future of our family.

So, at this point in my life, teaching is where my heart is. I am a wife first, mom second, teacher third. I find joy in my career and no joy in cleaning my house, making dinner, and playing play-doh all day :) And that is okay.

Moms, there is no right answer as to whether you should stay home or not. None of us love our kids anymore than if we work outside the home or we don't. What each woman chooses to do for that season of her life is up to her and her family. I know there will come a time when I may stay home, but in this season of life, being around my child all day everyday is not the best for my health or sanity. You have to do what is right for you and your family and know that nothing has to be permanent. I am living proof that it only takes one summer to realize that wrangling a toddler all day can make anyone want to start drinking at 9:00am. Just kidding...

Kind of.

Happy Tuesday!