It's Nice That You Can

When my oldest child celebrates her birthday, I also mark my anniversary of becoming a Stay-at-Home Mom.  As I trained my replacement at work, co-workers asked, “Are you planning to come back?”  I answered honestly, “No. Not unless something goes wrong.”  Several women replied wistfully, “It’s nice that you can stay home.  You’re so lucky.”

I’ve often wondered what they meant by that.  Did they think I could stay home because we were well off financially? 

When our daughter was born, we lived on my income in a one-bedroom apartment.  My husband was in his third year of university, paying tuition with a student loan.  We didn’t own a car or a couch.  We walked or took the bus everywhere and relaxed on an old loveseat from my parents.

But that was the plan.  Before we married we decided to do whatever it took to allow me to stay home with the children.  We still believe it’s the best place I can be right now.

It’s a choice all parents must make at some point.  Who will care for your children?  Single or divorced parents have less options – God bless you for working to care for your families.  For the rest of us, it can be a hard decision.

Lately we’ve been contemplating Disneyland.  By the time the baby is old enough to enjoy it, we may have enough saved.  Of course, if I was working outside the home we’d be able to afford it sooner.  But we’ve chosen different priorities.

Yes, it is nice that we can…make choices.