When my son was 9 months old, I stayed home with him for four months. It felt like a VERY long four months. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had also not moved over 7 hours away from all of my family and friends. I didn't know anyone in our new city, and didn't have very many opportunities to make new friends. (The internet was just becoming something I used on a regular basis to email my mother, but there was no Facebook, or Twitter, or blogs then. ;) ) After that short stint as a stay-at-home mother, I decided that it was definitely not for me. I wanted to be a working mom. And I was just that for over 10 years, mostly working as a middle school and high school teacher.
Now, I cannot imagine wanting to be anything other than a stay-at-home mama. I honestly cannot fathom working outside of the home at the moment. I am hoping that if we continue to budget and scrimp, then I will be able to remain at home with my baby girl until she is ready to start school. I actually really enjoy being a homemaker now. (Psssssttt... the me 13 years ago would think that I am absolutely nuts now, just so you know. ;) ) I also love being at home when my son comes home from school, always being available to cheer him on at his cross country and track meets. I feel like I am gaining all these precious moments that I know I would miss by working outside of the home and gaining a paycheck.
*I am not knocking any parent that works outside of the home, and chooses to not stay at home. I understand staying at home is not always an option, and is not what works for everyone. This is just what works for myself and my family right now. :)
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