November 14th, 2014 will be my last day as a working Mom. I will begin the transition of being a stay at home Mom until Jordyn is about 2 years old. My little family and I are fortunate enough to have a husband/father who can support us, (thanks United States Air Force!) so I am able to raise our daughter in our home. As exciting as this journey will be, I know it will be a challenge at times. Not only for the obvious reason of occasionally missing adult conversation during the day, but because of how much my lifestyle will change. I have worked since I was sixteen years old. Which I just realized while typing this was exactly a decade ago (yikes!). I was sneaky, and got my first job at Best Buy in Bloomingdale, IL, in June of 2006. I say “sneaky” because my family wanted me to concentrate on school and track, and not worry about having a job. I had to promise to maintain a high honor roll grade point average, as I had prior to working, in order to be allowed to work throughout the school year. Which meant with a full class schedule, and running track, I only had time to work on weekends, many times after running 4-5 races during a Saturday track invitational. Needless to say, I carried this crazy schedule, because I loved making my own money. I give this entire background story, because I’m sure you cared to know I worked in retail at sixteen years old, and it was my dream job. Just kidding. I shared this to give an emphasis on how important working is to me. Not just in the sense of making money, but in feeling like I’m contributing to society, and being the Millennial woman I’m supposed to be. I mean, that’s why I went to college for 4 years, right? (Well, I went for the partying too, but that’s another post for another day). Not only have I sacrificed and done so much to successfully be in the working world, my husband and I have very much so adjusted to a two income household. It’s lovely! Seriously, who wouldn’t want more money to spend for luxury? I say all of this to explain how and why this could have been a hard decision to make on my part, because as Kris (my husband) said “this is your decision to make, not mine.” Then comes the moment, when you think about the little face that you carried for (almost) 9 months.You think about that same little face that made you cry like a legit baby, when you saw hers for the first time. And you think about all of the little milestones you could possibly miss while being away from her, and suddenly all of the luxuries of a two income household don’t matter anymore. I honestly always knew in my heart what I wanted to do. But it’s still a tough decision to make when you love the company you work for and people you work with.
Now let me be clear, this decision was made using common sense too. I have bills, many student loans to be exact (thanks private Jesuit University), and those bills have to be paid. Thankfully, many federal loans allow you to defer them for multiple reasons. Other bills are able to be covered with one income. Because I am part of the working world, and now the working parent world, I get not everyone has the ability to up and quit their job to stay home with their child. And despite what people may think, not every mother WANTS to stay home with their child. Which I can completely understand, and I believe is just as important as those who do stay home. Although I definitely plan on working again, it takes both the working Mothers and Stay at Home Mothers to show our daughters, and future daughters, they have the right to make their own choices and take their own paths. I say this because we all know how people like to “Mommy shame” mothers for doing the opposite of them, but that will be another post for another day as well.
I believe the decision I made to stay home with Jordyn is one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life. My Grandma told me when I had Jordyn, “the most important job you will have in life is raising your children.” I couldn’t agree more. She is the most important job title I hold right now. Everything she needs, wants, and learns all stems from how we take care of and raise her. How cool is it I get a chance to be home with this little cutie pie for the first two years of her life? That is such a blessing in itself. I’m also thankful for my other military, stay at home mom, framily (friends that become family), who I can hang out with, and still remain sane after talking to a child all day. My Grandma also kindly let me know how crazy no adult interaction can make you too haha.
This is a journey I will for sure be sharing with all of you who would like to keep up with it through my blog. It should be a fun, crazy, interesting, I really don’t know what to expect, ride! If anything, lets just hope it at least makes us laugh a lot. And with this little character of a daughter I have here, I have a feeling there will be plenty of posts that ends with all of you laughing at me, or us laughing together. Lets say a prayer it’s the latter! ๐
-Brie <3
[11.02.14]
You are going from a working mom to a stay at home working mom both are hard jobs. I’ve had the pleasure to be in the same shoes you are in and I gotta tell you it was the most amazing indescribable and soul stirring experience I’ve ever had. You’re right being there for the milestones is going to be wonderful for both of you. Her first steps first words and all the other cute and not so cute things can only be told like a mommy can tell. Now I heard horrible stories about teething (making me wonder at some point if Andye would be an only child) but thanks to Dr. Jones (Andye’s pediatrician) my teething experience was no problem SERIOUSLY not a problem. Well any hoo since I’ve known you all your life and I’ve had the privilege to witness you grow into an AMAZING woman I can’t wait to see my gran angel grow and blossom. To know that a strong intelligent loving funny woman will make sure that my gran girl will walk her head held high with such self confidence and self love makes my heart over flow with pride and love. So happy with your decision. I love you all.
Thank you Mama I’m super happy about my decision too. I’m looking forward to it and we love you too ๐
You will be great! There will be hard days like any other job, but know the joy of being with Jordyn will outweigh the hard days. Enjoy it my love! I’m proud of you.
Thank you so much, Chante! I really appreciate the encouraging words and you taking time to read my blog ๐
I’m sure it will be an adjustment, but you guys will have a blast, and I know you will find so many fun things to do together! Shes a lucky lil lady!
I think we’ll have a blast also. Im excited! And thank you Brenda! ๐
My dear daughter, you’re making the best decision in the world! You’re going to enjoy so many milestones with my adorable granddaughter, Jordyn! While having an income is great, the payment/rewards you will reap by being at home with my lil Jojo, will be insurmountable! As Jojo’s Grandma, it does my heart well to know my baby will be safe at home in the arms of her Mommy! Have no doubt, you ARE already a GREAT MOMMY, and you are going to continue to grow into being an even GREATER Mommy with each passing day! You come from a strong line of amazing, and wonderful Mom’s in our large family, so you’re in great company! I’m excited to see all the ways you’ll grow as a Mommy as you start your new chapter as a SAHM! It’s great knowing grandma has been there to take care of my Jordypie, and help raise her, just as she was there to help me take care of/raise you! What a blessing that is to be able to say! So you see, that’s but one example of what I mean about that strong line of Mom’s in our family. ๐
I’m proud of you my beautiful baby girl, and I’m happy for Jordyn to have such a great Mommy! <3
Thank you so much Mommy! I really appreciate the support on my decision. It was a tough one but I’m looking forward to being home with my little Jojo. I’m happy Grandma, aka her GG, has been here with her too. I know they’ll miss each other when Grandma leaves.
Nice post, I can relate to it because I went through the same thing. I made my own decision to be a stay at home mom to my three children. With the support of my hubby, this was the best decision I had ever made and I love it. You will not regret it.
I’m already excited to be home with my little one. I believe it will be the greatest decision I’ve made. Thank you for the encouraging words and for reading! ๐
Good for you Brie!!! I stayed at home with Cam until he was 18 months old. I saw it all, heard it all and did it all with my little one! Yes you will have moments where you will want to interact with an adult. Enjoy every moment with little Jordyn because after a while she wont be so little anymore (as parents say lol)
Haha thanks, Brittney! I’m definitely going to soak up every minute of time I get to spend with her. She’s already growing too fast!