"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience," Colossians 3:12
calling all moms (or dads)
i am looking for some opinions and personal stories. i am currently trying to decide if i should work part time next year or stay home with the baby full time. there are ups and downs for both options and both seem to be a great choice, i just have to choose one and that is difficult. i will not put all the details here. i merely want to read some of your experiences. did you work when you first had kids? did you stay home and if so, what did you do to visit with adult-type people? any other opinions you want me to know? also, if you have yet to have to make this decision, you can still tell me your opinion or stories of other people with kids. anyway, i am just "polling the audience" on this one to see what i get so leave a comment and let me know.
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3 comments:
Amy,
Well, since you asked....
You already know that I stayed home the first five years. I absolutely recommend staying home full-time. You will be really busy with a newborn. There is always something to do.
There are plenty of opportunities to get out with other moms, etc. (Elaine used to have me over once a week to hang out, have lunch, do something crafty...). I think you'll quickly find that your social agenda is completely secondary to being with your babylove, though.
I think there are so many good reasons not to work during those first few years. Your baby will be changing so much, you won't believe it. I feel pretty strongly that your baby needs YOU, specifically, caring for her needs. You can always work later, but you can't go back and get that time with your newborn. And while right now it may seem like working part-time won't be too big of a deal, your feelings might change when you realize how time consuming it is to get all of baby's things ready, get them to a sitter, pick them up afterwards....your "20 hour job" will seem like a lot more than that when you realize how much it actually takes you away from your baby. (Remember when I worked one day a week in SLC? It was HARD!) I can't imagine you regretting staying home full-time...
I think it is one thing if someone "needs" the money, but honestly, if you don't need the money, and your concerns are mostly about other issues, then those issues can be addressed with something other than work.
I could go on and on with my opinions, so feel free to ask me anytime, but I won't hijack your blog with all my opinions (the people that didn't ask for my opinion may not appreciate them), but I 100% am a proponent of staying home! :)
You are going to be an awesome mama and you'll make it work, no matter what choice you make. Seth and I are both so freaking excited to see you and Pete be parents! Love you!!
See: Elaine Krishnan
Amen to Jen's comments! I can't imagine having left Ben in the last year, he needed me! And I think he is a happier, more secure baby because I was there for him. You will not regret staying home! And as far as the "need" for money, you will find there are a ton of ways to cut expenses since you have a little extra time to plan a menu, shop sales, discount grocery stores etc. AND money won't be being eaten up so fast if you are not driving to baby sitters, buying snacks and on-the-go stuff! Make it your job (after being a wife and a mom) to save money! And just enjoy that little one!!! I know I am! You will find so much more joy in being a mom (and a wife) if you are not strung out! I think Pete's life will be better too if you have the energy to support him!
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