No Longer a Stay at Home Mom

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My oldest baby is nine this year. I have no idea where the last decade went. I’m still not sure when I became an adult, or why I am trusted to care for these four squishy things I call my children.  Really, that’s a conversation for another day. Today, I have to talk to you about how I was a stay at home mom, and how now, I am going back to work and will be leaving those squishy things at home.

When it was us

Back when it was Bug and I. From the looks of myself in this picture, I’ve stayed home with the kids since I was twelve.

I know this probably comes as a huge surprise to many of you because, for the last four years, I’ve poured out my heart and soul on this blog. The message has always been more or less the same. I am a mom. A mom, at home, trying my hardest to teach my children in the best way I know how to.

I’m still that mom.

I’m just going to have to work out a new way to get it done. Someday, I may hash out all the things that are going on behind the scenes in my life. To lay any rumors to rest (because I have gotten one message concerned about this…) my husband and I are fine. Fantastic actually. I have never been more in love with him, and while this new job here has come with its share of challenges, our relationship is strong, and we are happy. Going back to work is not a sign that my marriage is crashing and burning, it’s just a sign that we are at a point where something needs to be done.

We do both feel lead that right now is the time for me to have a full-time job. The wonderful news is that the perfect job appeared at exactly the same time that we realized I needed to go back to work. This job is practically written to my skill set. I’ll be working with Social Media, and I’ll get to engage with an audience I can relate to (go figure, right? I get a job where I get to talk), and I’ll get to make graphics (which is super fun) and even get to spend some time using my photography skills. And the part that is the most exciting, this job is for a non-profit organization I believe in and they are doing amazing work advocating for the military community.

The best thing about the whole thing is that I will be able to work from home twice a week.

Which brings me to my next point, and probably your next question.

What will happen to this blog, and to my family’s homeschool.

First Day of Work

My first day. I kind of hate this picture, and love it at the same time. I was terrified. Can you tell?

The simple answer is that nothing will change.

Which I know is naive. So be patient with me.

My current plan is to keep the kids at home, and I am confident I can make it work. I am hardly the first mom who works full time and also homeschools. I am stubborn. I am resourceful. And I passionately believe in the benefits of schooling my children at home. This isn’t something we just do for the heck of it. Homeschooling was accidental for us, but over time, it has become a huge part of who we are. Bug is thriving at home. He’s so smart, and so independent, and so curious. Mr. Man is growing more and more every day, and I love seeing his confidence grow. And the little ones, well, I just love raising them in a home that values learning for the love of learning.

Heart

Can you see that she is telling me to stay home? The heart was supposed to be for my desk. She says we can put it on the fridge instead.

It’s going to take work. And it’s going to be a huge change. Some of my methods will be changing (all the more reason to be excited to attend some homeschool conventions this spring- I need some new materials) but that’s okay. We can adapt to a new normal. Bug will be doing more work online and will be taking more distance classes. We’ll experiment with block scheduling and do more school work on the weekends as a family. And I’ll have a lot less time.

Time is what is going to be the problem. The good news is that my job doesn’t allow for overtime, so my tendency to get carried away with work will be reigned in (um, because no one likes to work for free). I fully plan on keeping up with my blog, and the printables I’ve been creating, because they are fun, and because I have worked too hard in this little corner of the internet for too long to let it crash and burn now.

image1
The note I found in my computer bag. I’m his favorite, and his ferret too. 

I am determined to do it all. Hopefully, those don’t become my “famous last words.” Either way, I appreciate knowing that so many of you are cheering me on.

In April, I have a blog series planned all about “Real Life Homeschooling” and I will share with you more then about how this is working for us currently, and the details on what we are doing as a family to try and pull it off. Until then though, let me know if you have any questions, or more importantly, words of wisdom for me!

I need all the help I can get.

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6 Comments

  1. I have worked part time since my kids were born. It is a dance my husband and I do. He has a job that fluctuates in hours. That being said, I get it.. kind of. I love my job and I love being home with my kids. It is difficult trying to figure out “how to do” it all. Be honest there is no do it all no matter if you are a stay at home mom or working mom. Blessings on your journey!

  2. You are brave and inspiring! I work part-time and am barely starting to homeschool my littles and it is so hard to be spread so thin. Good luck to you and your family!

  3. I just want to tell you that you have been a major source of encouragement for me this past year (my first year homeschooling my 3 boys) and I want for this new adventure to be everything that you are hoping for. Good luck in this new chapter

  4. I just came across your blog via a friends pinterest, and I am SO glad I did! I’ve been struggling with figuring out schedules and such with my little homeschoolers, and I was linked to your post about homeschooling schedules. I loved your ideas and writing so much that I continued checking out the rest of your blog, and feel so inspired. You’re ideas are great, and your words are encouraging. Thanks, and I wish you the best as you find the balance in this new chapter of your life!

  5. I am so proud of you as a mother and a spouse what a inspiration you are. You know what you want and you put your family first. Homeschooling is hard enough I cannot imagine working outside the home as well. However, if I did I would have you for my inspiration! Beautiful post from a beautiful mother! Everything get easier with time its just finding the balance at first. When I had two children I thought it was so hard and now I have 5 and everyday gets more balanced and beautiful.

    You ROCK!

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