I was having lunch with my best friend from high school the other day and we had a conversation that I have with working moms quite often. “I don’t know how you do it. I don’t know how you stay home with your kids.” At first I want to reply – “I don’t know either.” but I instead I said “You do what you have to do”. I just choose a different path. And to be honest its a path that I never saw myself picking.
When Ryley was a few months old I felt obligated to get a job after we moved back to Texas. Ryon never pressured me or suggested I get a job, I just thought that I contributed to the bills that I should help pay for them. I was embarrassed to say I was a stay at home mom with a college degree and a mountain of student loan debt. So I took a job at a local bank as a teller.
Then I found out I was pregnant with Avery. The newness of my job had started to wear thin and I was missing Ryley more and more. I told Ryon that I wanted to stay home with Avery after he was born and he said “Good, I want you to be home.” Not in “Its your job as a women” type of way, but more of a “I know this is what you want lets make it work” kind of way.
When we were budgeting for after the baby, it just made sense to stay home with the kids. More then half of my pay check would have gone to daycare for both of them. Plus, Avery wouldn’t be able to go to the same daycare as Ryley for 4 months. I couldn’t imagine having to drop them at different daycares to go and make half a paycheck. It just wasn’t an option at that point.
So I quit. I called the HR manager and told him I didn’t think I would be coming back. He asked me to clarify and I said “Im staying at home with my kids.” I cried after I hung up but Im not sure if it was from happiness or shock.
So how do I do it? How do I stay at home with my kids? Its just the path that my life took. Its a necessity for us at this time of our lives. I don’t think Ill be a stay at home mom forever but for now, I try to enjoy the time I have with my babies.
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SusieQTpies says
Way to go, Kelley! You have the right attitude. I never once regretted staying home with my girls. We all so what we have to do!
Kelley says
I agree Susie. Its just silly the amount of times I get asked that question. Glad Im able to stay home with my babies while they are still little. Its my favorite job so far! 🙂
Momo Y. says
Aww such a cutie babies. I feel you dear. 🙂
Kelley says
Thanks so much 🙂