Staying At Home

When I was pregnant people always asked me when I was due, was it a boy or a girl and what was the name we had picked out. Now, almost without fail, upon hearing that I've quit my job to stay home full-time with my son, everyone asks, "so, how do you like it?" The staying home thing, not the son. It's funny they should ask that because for the first couple of months my life changed just about as much as it could all at once and I was asking myself the same thing. I had to process this decision I had made in my mind. But even though I was thinking about it to myself, my answer was always easy and completely truthful..."yes, I love it."

Staying at home with my children has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. And I feel so fortunate to be living that dream now. I can honestly say that I've enjoyed every minute so far and look forward to all of the minutes to come...whether they are joyful, mundane or trying. I feel like I "fit" this new job of mine even though it's definitely an on-the-job training gig.

That being said, there are some things I miss about working and my job specifically. I'll not discuss the things I don't miss because they are probably obvious to everyone who has ever had a job. I miss the ladies that I worked with and the conversations I had with them. I miss the problem-solving and task-oriented part of my job. Some days I miss getting dressed up and feeling like I've got a place to go and I'm needed. If I'm truly honest with myself, I miss feeling like I'm contributing (financially) to our family. And, of course, I do miss the extra income...I'd be lying if I didn't mention that!

Obviously I'm needed at home and there is definitely a problem-solving element to this job too! I've put rules in place for myself as to how I spend my time to impose some sort of structure to my days. And there are some things that have actually become easier as I've spent more time at home. I feel like I have a much better handle on the laundry and other home chores. I am sure that will become harder and harder as Ethan gets older and maybe has another sibling, but for now at least, those things are easier for me than when I was away from home much more.

Ultimately, after all this thought, the decision was the right one for our family and I would make it over and over again. And I'll add a little disclaimer here to say that this post is really just meant for me to get out what I've thought about the changes of having a baby and quiting a job that I went to every day for five years. It's not meant to comment on whether I think staying home or returning to work is better. This is just the very long answer to the short question, "so, how do you like it?"