This series has been on my heart for quite some time. Staying home to raise my children is so much more than what I do. It’s who I am. Actually, it’s who I’ve become. And, it’s one of the things I am asked about most frequently.
While passionate about my stay-at-home-mom vocation, I do realize that it doesn’t work for every mom, for a multitude of reasons. And those of you who don’t stay home? You are no less MOM than I am! The Mommy, Come Home series is not meant to be judgmental or guilt-inducing; rather, I hope it to be a source of inspiration and possibilities for women who are wondering…
- Can we afford it?
- What will I do all day? Won’t I be bored?
- What will my children do all day?
- Won’t I be wasting my college education?
- Will I become a disheveled, stained-sweatpants-wearing, out of touch woman?
- Isn’t there more to life than changing diapers and wiping faces?
Staying at home full-time is not easy. For those of you already in the trenches, I pray that this series is a comfort and encouragement for the incredible job that you are doing. Oh, and also… I could really use your help.
Have you given up a job you enjoyed for a career at home? Sacrificed the ease of a two-income lifestyle to live frugally (and happily?) on one? Endured countless “I don’t know how (or why) you do it” from sympathizing friends and family over your dedication to stay-at-home motherhood? I want to hear from you! If you’ve written about your stay-at-home mom gig on your blog, or if you’d like to write a guest post for this series, please email me. We need to talk. 
Also, I would love to hear from those of you who don’t yet have children or who work outside the home and have questions. What information would be most helpful for you? What do you want to know about stay-at-home motherhood?
Stay tuned for Mommy Come Home: My Story next week.
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I left a teaching job during the school year when I had an epiphany — how could I be spending so much time with these kids when my kids need me at home?
And, now it’s crazy — I’ve gone beyond just stay home to homeschooling too. Whew! I keep busy, but it is so worth it!
Now, I will admit — I do work about 5 hours per week (only about 1 1/2 – 2 hours at a time). But, it’s totally on my own schedule, and when hubby is home. It pays well, so it makes it easier to stay home the rest of the time (money-wise).
I once ran into someone I knew that knew I had two degrees. When she found out that I was at home with my kids, she said, “Oh, well that’s nice, I suppose, for now.” I didn’t even have a good comeback — I was just shocked.
I stayed home with my 2 older children when they were little until I got divorced. I understand what you mean about it becoming your identity. I so miss being at home for my kids and being that much a part of their life.
Oh AMy – this is going to be a blessing to so many. I know you will do this series graciously and thoughtfully.
This is definitely going to bless and encourage many others, and I know you will do a wonderful job with this! I am excited about it! How long do you think the series will go?
I am so delighted you’re going to do this series, Amy. I look forward to reading all you have to say! I would absolutely love to hear from other women who have to deal with the “must be nice” or “what a luxury” or “well, that’s lucky for you” comments too… because, while it IS nice and I am certainly one lucky mommy, it takes a lot of work and sacrifice too(as so many other SAHMs know!)…
We actually just can’t afford the daycare for me to work. So we struggle big time with the one income but it will be worth it in the end! I do enjoy staying home but also wish I could afford to work and actually bring the income home instead of paying the babysitter! I praise all the women that work and come home to their family..trying to juggle that is hard! I have worked off and on since my first son was born 13 years ago. So I do understand both sides of this! I will be keeping an eye on this one. Great idea!
What a wonderful series!
I pray that God will guide the series and for moms to receive it well. 
Amy, I cannot wait to hear what you have to say. I am a new stay-at-home mom and it certaintly isn’t an easy job. My family and friends have been really hard on me for leaving my so called “comfy state job” to stay at home. My daughter is just finishing up her school year and the improvement in her academia and behavior are all the proof I need to reaffirm that I made the right decision. It helps too that my son regularly hugs me in the morning and says, “Mommy your not going to work today are you? I miss you.” All-in-all, I have a lot of respect for all Moms. It’s a tough job either way.
I left a job that I hated to stay at home and so, it has been a relatively easy transition for me. I would love to share any aspect of my experience with your readers (including but not limited to the added task of caring for an elderly parent while caring for my children).
You have such terrific timing for this! I was a homemaker 2 years before we had children. I stayed home to take care of them for another 4 years. Then, we moved to a really small town where my husband’s income dropped dramatically. Unfortunately, we still have some debt following us from his job loss from the bigger city. So I started working as a PCA for special needs children. It’s a rewarding job but I have this constant pull to be back at home full-time with my OWN kids (and I don’t even work that many hours!). I just don’t know if we can afford it. If I quit, our income is cut severely. And both of our incomes combined are already small enough to qualify for every assistance in the world (which we turn down). My husband’s working hard on a home business and I have faith we’ll be successful… But the tug in my heart isn’t being patient. Especially since the children I work with are school age and my oldest child is starting kindergarten in the fall. How could I ever justify leaving for work when the bus pulls up to drop my son off after an entire day away?
I’m struggling with this decision… have enough money to pay our bills (we don’t have many, if any luxuries next to TV… even the internet isn’t a luxury because my husband works online) OR be here for my kids. I know which one I WANT to do, I just don’t know how to get there. So, I have nothing to add to your series but I can’t wait to read more!
Oh, I’m so glad you’ve finally found the time to work on this. Looking forward to it. :>)
I definitely think being at home is the tougher road to take…but the most rewarding in the end. I used to work and paid someone to watch my kids and clean my house and mow my lawn, etc. I could buy anything I wanted. It was pretty easy. But God wanted me to stay home and raise my kids…and he made a way for it to happen! I’d love to share my story
I am SO excited for this series! I’ve been reading your blog for well over a year now and I have been waiting for this type of series to come along. In the coming month my fiance and I will be converting from a two-income household to a single-income household. We are very excited as we both have always wanted me to be a stay-at-home-mom. We’re making our dream come true, but we’re more than a bit nervous. I can’t wait to hear the story of how you did it! Hopefully some other moms will share how they did it and continue to be happy and successful.
I’m a stay at home mom too. But if I didn’t have the internet, I don’t think I’d stay sane for very long.
I think this particular topic is a “double edged sword”. To those who are stay at home mothers, you hear “must be nice”, “luxury”, etc. To those working mothers, you hear “I’m sorry to hear you HAVE to work” or, worse yet, the lifting of the eyebrows as they look down upon you. I do work full time, have 12 yr and 15 yr old daughters who are involved in every sport/activity imaginable and yes it most certainly is difficult at times. I commend SAHM, just as much as I commend working mothers. Remember one important detail: whether we stay at home or are in the workforce, we are still mothers and strive to raise our children into respectable young ladies/men. Some have the choice to work, some do not. Unfortunately, too many people are judgmental on this subject. Believe me, there are many days I would love to be at home. My girls are older and don’t get home from school until 2:30 and 4:20pm. When they were younger, it was definitely more difficult and daycare was INSANELY expensive! Mine is a personal choice to work and I make a nice income. I think this will make a very interesting series and look forward to reading this!
Oh, I can’t wait for this series! I, too, have a bachelor’s degree and left a rather good paying job after nine years to stay home with my 2 young boys. I’ve now been a full-time SAHM for 9 years and I’m lovin’ it!!!!
It’s been an incredible journey and I’d be more than happy to share my experiences.
My situation is a little different in that my husband is the stay home parent. We sacrifice to have one of us at home, so it does get annoying when we hear the “luxury” comments and then questions about my salary. Also we hear comments about me being a “sugar mama” and about my husband not wanting to work….let me tell you, his job is 10x harder than mine, and he doesn’t get any breaks or paid vacations! Anyone else have a stay home Dad in their family?
Looking forward to this!! I’ve encountered both sides of staying at home…lucky, fortunate, etc (which I am, but those comments mostly from co-workers of my husbands or people I run into, acquaintences, etc) the “lady of leisure” side of it…Oh yes, that’s me!! And unfortunately (and mostly) non-support (sadly enough, from family)…Such as “what are you going to do with your life?” “You’re wasting your education”, or, the best one yet…”this is what you wanted… so I don’t want to hear you complain!! etc”. (Doesn’t every Mom deserve the chance to vent??!!) I’m among many friends that have already returned to work after 5+years at home or are starting to return now. Just because my youngest is in preschool in Sept two mornings a week doesn’t mean my kids don’t need me home!! My motto: “Little kids, little problems… Big kids, big problems”… I’m planning on being here (God willing) until they’re not!!
This should be a great series. I could easily write a post about this.
I’m looking forward to this series! My kids are older, 18, 15 and almost 12. I have been a stay-at-home Mom for most of their lives. It has been quite a struggle financially, but SO worth it! I have 3 great boys, and I really think it is because I have been home. They are very dependant on me, but that’s okay, that’s what I love.
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
Hoorah!! I’m so excited to see this and can’t wait to hear more!! Good work!
I am very excited for this series. I stay at home with my sweet babies and could not imagine it any other way. I did work part time for a while when my first son was a baby. I do work a little from home, but my main job is staying home. I love it. I am thankful for every single day. I have always said I would live in a two room shack if it meant that I could stay at home with my children. It is funny to hear people say, “You’re Lucky” when I tell them I stay at home. If by luck you mean, having a house payment that is $532 and clipping coupons and making my meals from scratch and budgeting and staying home rather than going out – then yes, I am lucky.
I am just praising God that He put this on your heart!! I am a part time working mommmy of 1 and have another little one on the way. It’s always been my desire to stay at home with our children, but finances have been prohibitive thus far. Our goal is that when baby #2 arrives in February, that I will be able to be a full time mommy. I am SOOOO looking forward to following this series and pondering every word. Can’t wait to share with my husband what I learn. Praying that God blesses you and uses your blog and this series to reach the lives of many!!
I too am excited to read what you offer through this series. Very interesting reading the many comments. Everyone has a different story with a different situation and different needs. I agree with so many of the above comments–that we are all moms trying to do the best we can by our children–whether we work outside the home as well.
I have stayed home with my kids for almost 5 years–I can’t believe it’s been 5 years. My husband is an air traffic controller and works odd hours, shift work, every day brings a different schedule, so me being home brings some stability and allows our family to be together during his odd hours. (He has been off on Mondays, so this past school year,we would often have a date in the afternoon while my son was at preschool). We’ve had to make adjustments and face challenges, but everyone does. What we do works for our family.
I am a library media specialist and left a job that I LOVED in a middle school. At the same time, I found it very challenging–wanting to do the best job at work and at home. I started to have many migraine headaches (probably stress related–still have them), which was also a determining factor in deciding to stay home. I do hope I have the opportunity to return some day if it makes sense for my and my family. Again, look forward to the series. Thanks!
Oh, I love this post! My husband and I decided before we ever had children that one of us would stay home with them. Since he had the better job, I stayed home and I have NEVER regretted it. But we make sacrifices. We don’t travel the way our two-income friends do and we pinch our pennies. I clip coupons and shop at Wal-Mart for most everything. I struggle with the response I get from far too many people when they ask me what I do for a living, which can vacillate between outright dismissal and hostility to jealousy. I would love to guest post!
Love the idea of your series!! I stay-at-home, part-time. Meaning, I work 2 long weekend days at a local hospital and then stay home mostly Monday thru Friday. I think I have the very best of both worlds. To make this work, we change our schedules so someone is always home with our kids. We tried daycare for a little bit and did not want to go that route. We are planning to homeschool. The plan is for me to eventually work as needed at the hospital and not any set schedule. I would love to guest post about how this works out so well for our family!
I was a college degreed stay at home mom who felt it really worked for us. My children grew up to be happy productive people — one a doctor and one a marketing manager. I really encourage people to try this, but don’t lose your own identity in the process. You are so much more than “___________’s Mom.” Stay in touch with your friends and have your own activities. You don’t need to be at home every minute.
I’d love to write a guest post for you. Please feel free to contact me.
I am a WOHM. Right now I honestly have no choice because of our finances and we are working on buying a house. I am different than alot of other working moms in that my mom watches my girls. If I would of had to do daycare there is no way I would be working. But knowing that grandma is with them during the day I am at ease that they get the care and love they would get if I was there.
My goal is to be able to stay at home with our third or at least go part-time.