You can catch up on the rest of the Mommy, Come Home series here.
…By their good example they must teach the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, busy at home…
Titus 2: 4, 5
Today I am grateful for veteran moms. For all moms who care for the needs of their family in whatever way they are called to do. This looks different for all of us, but I am especially grateful for those who are unashamed to be at home, who embrace their work and are willing to teach others about the value of home and family.
Last weekend’s post, Stay the Course, struck a chord with many of you. As I said before, staying at home even after the kids are in school is something my husband and I are currently pondering. Provided our third child will forever be our youngest (and we are fervently praying that she will not be), I’ve got only 3 years before all of my children are in school. Then what?!
Society says “Go back to work.” We say, “I am working, and what I’m doing is more valuable to our family than an outside income would be.” So much to think about, and I’m thankful for women like Liz who are willing to share their story to help moms like me sort it all out!
…I am what Amy considers a “Veteran” SAHM, because my boys are all in school. I don’t by any means have it all figured out, but I will share what works for us……I worked up until our first son was born, quit my job and stayed home. I wish I could say that I came home and never looked back, never wondered if I had made the right decision……I wish I could tell you that it was an easy decision to stay home or continue to stay home. I think the major decision to consider is, what is best for you and your family. I have continued to stay home (with the exception of a few part-time jobs here and there over the years) because it works best for our family……it has been tough, really tough. We have done without alot, although the boys have everything they need (and most of what they want). We have discovered over the years, that we spend what we make. The more we make, the more we spend……what in the world do I do all day with the house to myself? Well, with 3 boys and my husband, you can imagine the chores I have……I (also) do a lot of cooking and baking for my middle son’s football/basketball or baseball teams (whichever season it is), help with the concession stand, sewing torn uniforms and selling team apparel. I also volunteer at my youngest son’s school some. And after all that is done, I help my husband with his part-time landscaping jobs, pulling weeds and maintaining flower beds. If that wasn’t enough, I also sew bags and totes that I sell on Etsy and do a little baking for extra cash here and there. And of course I can’t forget my blog! I cook, bake, decorate, write and post for Hoosier Homemade….…The largest impact that I think I make by being home and saving money, is having the time to cook, bake and grocery shop. I know from experience over the years, that when I’m too busy to meal plan, shop and cook, we end up going out to eat and spending more money than we should…
…even though I don’t bring in a paycheck, I work really hard at my job. I cut our budget where possible by cooking from scratch, watching the deals, signing up for freebies, and couponing……Everyday I work to “Make Our House a Home.”
Be sure to visit Liz at Hoosier Homemade and read the rest of her story.
*** I’m trying hard to wrap up the Mommy, Come Home series in the next few weeks. Please remember, at the end of the series I will put Mr. Linky up so that all of you can share your SAHM story. The sacrifices, the rewards, the trenches, the concerns… we want to read it!***
This post is linked to Gratituesday.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks so much Amy! It means alot to me to have other Moms care about what I do and want to learn.
~Liz
Such a great post! It is so true that you have to do what works for you, a season we are definitely in right now. Thanks for sharing Liz, you did a great job!
I’m finding that I really don’t want this Mommy Come Home series to end. I’m really enjoying the stories and lessons learned that you’ve been featuring. This is indispensable information for mommies in all stages of SAHM-hood.
I’m not up-to-date on blog awards, but I would absolutely nominate this one for Best Blog Series.
Isn’t it strange that we have to justify what our mothers were expected to do? In my mom’s day, she would have to justify why she was out working and wasn’t at home cleaning and baking and making a home. My, how times have changed.
My mom’s biggest regret is that she did NOT continue to stay home once we were in school. She didn’t go back to work until I was in about 7th grade and my sister was in 4th, but she still wishes she had been there when we got home each day.
My husband’s mom never worked after he was born, and still doesn’t, although he is 27 and his sister is 20 and in college. She finds plenty of ministries to participate in and things to do and is a blessing to their family.
I hope I’ll be able to do the same! We all have to do what works for us, but I appreciate the attitudes of service of these two women in my life.
Just discovered your blog and this series today. Thank you for putting this together. My mother stayed at home, even after we went to school. I LOVED having her pick me up from school or just be there after school… with snacks ready. When all 4 of us were in private school, she did work part-time. That was only for about 2 years.
With her time at home, I saw her minister to women in need (spiritually and financially). Our pantry was always open to those in need. She set an amazing example, for which I am still striving to be. Most of my friends moms worked, and I was SO thankful my Mom was home with me. She was always there to help with school projects or just talk about a tough day at school. She and I are now best friends.
Even though we are all grown now (my youngest brother is in college), she is still a stay at home mom. She is able to travel with my Dad for work and come visit me and my children as often as her budget allows.
To end, she will tell you that it was not glamorous, but she impacted the lives of my brothers and I and the lives of countless others. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew that I wanted to be like her and raise a family. Like her, it has been hard (financially) but so very rewarding.
This series was a labor of love, for sure. So glad you found it and are enjoying it!