So here is the question how did you choose your path? Stay at home or go back to work after the baby?
Well, my reflex answer is that being a public school teacher barely pays the bills for daycare. So the decision was easy.
But the truth of the matter is, in my heart no amount of money would have been “enough” to make me want to go back to work. Of course I would if I had to. As plenty of mothers out there do. And my hat goes off to them. Because I know they still come home to a whole other job. And struggle more than I can imagine to fit it all in. I don’t know how they do it.
And then of course there was that other reason…
I thought this would be easy.
At least in relative terms.
I was a public school teacher in the inner city!
One hundred and fifty hoodlums a day.
How could one baby be harder than that?
In more ways than I can mention here.
And just when I thought I had that ONE baby figured out?
Well, twins came along…
So much for easy.
At least the hoodlums went home a three and didn’t wake me up in the middle of the night.
But we’re getting used to chaos.
Little number four is making sure of that!
Ok mamas, how did you make your decision?
I quit teaching to stay home too…I was secretly elated that I wasn’t forced to choose between a great paying job and staying home with my baby. That decision is a lot easier to make when you realize the job you have will only pay for daycare!
me too…gave up teaching to stay at homebut my eldest was severley disabled and i felt too protective togoback to work! lovely to find you via mama kats and now following…i am number 10. janexxxxx
My story is so similar! I was teaching when I decided to stay at home – so very hard, so very worth it, yes?
My return to work was never a question, unfortunately. I wish I didn’t have to work, but I do. And some days? Some days it’s hard as hell to leave them (even the 11 yr old at times) and come here.
Yes. But you kind of brought the school home with you. Between being a mama, a blogger, and the daycare. I have NO idea how you do it. Even if you are the nap nazi! :)
Wow. Mothers of children with special needs absolutely amaze me. You are incredible.
I can only imagine!
I went back to work full time after my first born, but then after the twins stayed home other than some occassional part time work that takes me out in the community.
My former “life” was as an international flight attendant. I couldn’t justify 3 weeks alone from my baby just to be home with him for 11 days. Not enough $$$ or life experiences to make leaving him behind “right.”
Wow. That would be hard. Especially when you don’t even get to come home at night!
Well, I could definitely use the money excuse. I dont have a college degree, so no job would pay well enough to cover the cost of childcare. But the truth of it is, I simply can’t be away from my kids. For all the ways they drive me nuts, (oh, and they DO!) I just can’t bear the thought of missing out on being with them as they grow. I love being a (slightly scatter-brained, always a little over-tired) mother!
I seriously admire mothers that stay at home with their kids. I remember how much I cried the very first time I left my son at daycare and had to go to work. Luckily he ended up loving it and still greets all of his teachers with a big hug and kiss each morning. It gives me peace when I’m at work.
I worked after my son was born and then for a time when my daughter was born BUT they both were doing poorly and my son was regressing badly (he has autism, the daughter is typical) so I opted to stay at home with them and they improved almost immediately. I worked part-time for awhile when they got bigger and then I had my girls and it took me almost two years to figure out how to find time to sleep, and take care of all four of them so working was not an option for any of us. Thank God I am able to be there for them. They seem happy to have me… most of the time LOL