When Elena and Chloe were little, all my friends were talking about educational choices for their kids. It was the new hot topic. I had planned to work part-time, so the girls could go to a Christian school. (Back then, we had 2 kids with no plans for any more.) I laughed when people suggested homeschooling. I wasn't one of those moms who enjoyed being with my kids all day; how could I possibly have the patience to homeschool them??
I had a very hard time adjusting to being the mother of two. In fact, it was so hard for me, I went back to work so that I could put them in Mother's Day Out. I needed some Me Time! I just knew some time away each day would help me adjust.
But it didn't. It made it worse. When I was at work, I was thinking about my kids and when I was at home, I was thinking about my duties at work. I was never fully engaged in either.
Then a mentor friend gave me a copy of The Mission of Motherhood and I began to understand for the first time the value of motherhood and the blessing of my children. Kyle and I decided that I should quit work and stay at home with my girls. It took time, but being fully engaged at home allowed me to adjust to motherhood and I became more commited to my role as mother.
To be continued. . .
8 comments:
Wow Ginger, I cannot wait to read more of how it all happened. That is where I am at right now. I have worked all my life and now I feel like I cannot take much more and need to be home with my little ones where I belong. I need to order that book. It just kills me to go to work every day thinking about people raising my kids at home. It is my prayer that when my husband finishes with college that I can be finally home with the kids. Thanks again for sharing your story.
I didn't know that about you, Ginger. That's great you were able to make that decision and just do it. That's what I would like too.
Julia, what are your obstacles currently?
Ginger,
Would you share your thoughts about having "me time" as a SAHM who homeschools? The older I get (48), the more I crave some quiet, alone time. Not alot, just some. I very rarely go out with friends, and don't like going off much. (I did go hear Sally Clarkson in April; it was nice, but I was happy to get home!)
I'd also like to hear your thoughts about spending time w/o the children with our husbands. As in date nights and going away together from time to time.
Thanks!
Beth
Debt. If I could get rid of about 32K of the debt I have and babysit three to four kids, I could quit. I don't know if that would even be enough. I did read Dave Ramsey. I have finally come current but don't know what's going to happen when I go on maternity leave b/c it's unpaid. I keep wracking my brain every day for ways...
Julia, are you single?
No, I am married. DH doesn't make enough to pay on our debt alone. I always thought I'd be a working mom (double income) and this idea of homeschooling and being at home has come to my heart maybe 3 years ago or so.
Great topic. I never thought of myself as a homeschooler/stay at home mom 'type' until I realised there is no 'type'. Being a Christian and seeking God's heart for my family convinced me how much God wanted us to be the primary and main influence over our children and I've never looked back. It was scary at first for me because I didn't think I could handle that much time alone with my kids, but then a funny thing happened, the more time I spent with my boys, the more time I WANTED to spend with them until now, I can't believe there was ever a time I was waiting till they were 'old enough to send off to school'.
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