Eleven years ago this month I found out I was pregnant with our first child. I worked outside of the home. I made enough to cover our groceries and a few other monthly expenses. I worked full time as a receptionist. When I found out the news we didn’t even think about my job or what to do with the baby when he was born. But it soon hit me like a ton of bricks. I was gonna have to leave my baby all day in the care of someone else.
That’s when my husband and I prayed hard for God to open doors for me to stay home full time. I never even dreamed I would get the chance. My mom worked on and off when I was growing up. I loved having her home but our financial situation didn’t allow for her to do so all the time. I knew I didn’t want my baby to be in daycare. I wanted to care for him and see all his firsts and be there when he cried out.
After months of praying while I was pregnant my husband and I felt strongly led by the Lord to quit my job. We saw that we could make it with a few tweaks here and there on just one income. We would have to sacrifice a lot and not do as many things with friends. But, we thought it would be worth it in the end.
We weren’t wrong. I am going on year 11 of being a stay at home mom and I love it. It hasn’t always been fun or easy. As a matter of fact, it’s downright hard and rough sometimes. I never get a break from being a mom. Not that I need one, but their needs always come before mine. They are my number one priority as far as staying home.
My husband and I didn’t go on a real vacation for 12 years (some of that time was before we made the decision for me to stay at home). We didn’t eat out. We didn’t go to the movies. We rarely did anything that was outside of our home. It was a huge sacrifice for me to not work. But, our children have never gone without. We have a roof over our heads, plenty to eat, and clothing to keep us warm. I’m not bragging in the slightest but we have been truly blessed because we were obedient in what the Lord led us to do.
I hear so many mamas say they can’t afford to stay home. It makes me sad because a lot of the time it is true. We live in a culture that is full of debt. Debt makes it harder to not have two incomes. We have worked hard to pay down almost all of our debt over the years. We still have a long way to go but freedom is in sight!
If you are on the fence about staying home and wondering if it’s worth it. The answer is simple…it is well worth it. I’ve gotten to witness all of my kid’s firsts and lasts. We’ve made lasting memories and built relationships with each other. We’ve taught our boys about the Lord and witnessed a couple of them coming to Christ as their Savior.
Do the hard things and make the sacrifice if it’s at all possible. It will be worth it!
