Years ago my guy and I decided that I would stay home full-time with the kids. We didn’t know how this would be possible financially, but felt convicted that it was the right thing to do. Sixteen years later, I still believe it was the best decision for us, but to this day l cannot tell you how we did it. The first several years were touch and go, and on paper you could never say that we could afford for me to be home. My husband was very stressed for most of this time, but was committed to making it work.
Over time my guy has worked very hard, climbed the corporate ladder and we have made several key moves to facilitate his career success. I can’t imagine how I could have changed careers with all of our moves, but that isn’t why I didn’t work; we chose for me to stay home so I could be with the kids, and take care of many details around the home that can easily be neglected. Have I enjoyed every minute of it? No. Was I fulfilled by the challenges of the day? Not usually.
There are times when a person of my station can feel ‘less than’, like when I’m asked what I do for a living while talking to a group of professionals, when making a significant purchase that requires paperwork and my signature, and each time I receive my Social Security statement – you know, the document that details every dollar you have earned throughout your lifetime. Mine came in the mail this week, and I can be tempted to feel very small as I am looking at the pitiful numbers. Or I can remember that my worth isn’t defined by a yearly income.
My worth is in these three healthy, happy teenagers who are well-fed and listened to. My worth is in this incredible guy I’ve been blessed to live with, who works hard outside the home so I can be inside. And my worth is in the eyes of my Creator, who assures me I am doing the right thing. My guy has thanked me many times for spending my time investing in others, and has said that the work I do is so much more important than his. If only I could fit that into a job description!
Staying home with the kids is not the answer for everyone, but knowing your real worth is.
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worth of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1
howsyourlovelife 
Beautiful work that you are doing, words well spoken.
Thank You!
When we jumped in, neither of us knew how it could possibly work either; but it does and it’s wonderful, I don’t regret it for a minute. Although some days it drives me crazy.
That’s it, isn’t it? No regrets but lots of angst! 🙂
You secured the most profitable and highly respected job of all – taking care of those three kids. Nothing is more important!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Dave. I don’t think we can hear this enough.
This post s very timely. I’m currently a stay at home mom and would love for it to stay that way. Though is seems like we could fulfill more goals with a second income. But this just “feels right.” But I guess if I could figure everything out on my own, I wouldn’t need faith, huh? Thanks again for this post.
It all depends on what the goals are, I guess, huh? Good luck with this tough decision.
Staying at home is not for everyone, but for those who can, it is wonderful way to serve their family. As the commercial goes, “There are some things that money can’t buy.” I would say time invested in the lives of your children would fit that category! Thank you so much for sharing.
Amen. Thank YOU for reading.
Amen! So hard for me to find my worth in the right place and not base it on numbers, status reports, or even how the world defines what is valuable and successful.
Well, at least it’s universal! If only we could be a little easier on ourselves. Thanks for reading!