June 5, 2008
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Change Aplenty
Some of you already know about this, but it’s out in the open now, so I can share it with everyone.
Earlier this week, I gave notice to my manager — I will be leaving the world of full-time employment. My last day will be August 1, after which, Jack will be my boss (but I will be the boss of him!).
That’s right, I will join the world of stay-at-home-moms (SAHMs, for those of you unfamiliar with the lingo). However, I will also be a contractor for my company, which means I would get to keep my work laptop and my work email address. I will be paid for the actual number of hours I work, at a pretty good hourly rate, and I can turn down or accept projects as I wish. There are no benefits, of course, but that’s OK, because I will have them through Johnny’s employer, and he starts his job on June 16, so there won’t be any time where I don’t have coverage. I told my manager that I am happy to accept 15 to 20 hours of contract work each week, provided that the work does not have to be done during regular business hours. So, instead of the project management work I do now, I should be doing a lot more writing, which is great, because it can be done at home (or really, anywhere) during naps, after bedtime and on weekends. I can focus my attention on Jack and keep a foot in the professional world and make some money while I’m at it! She said that should not be a problem. Of course, there won’t always be work to spread around to a contractor, but summer and fall are busy seasons, so I may very well have some contract work to start with.
I am really, really excited and happy about this. It’s been difficult emotionally from day one, and increasingly more so as the days go by. It’s been harder than I thought it would be, despite a supportive team and manager at work. Johnny has been wonderful and very supportive of this decision. Now that he’s graduating, he’s eager to start work, and though he’s sad that he won’t get to spend as much time with Jack anymore, he is also relieved that I will be home to make sure things run smoothly. This way, if he has to work late or travel, we don’t have to scramble to make sure Jack is covered, and during our free time as a couple, we can perhaps spend less time discussing logistics! I feel lucky that I have the flexibility to do this. It will mean being more disciplined about purchases (sorry, Dear Closet, you will be seeing new additions less frequently!), but it is well worth it. Instead of being a cute, trendy mom, I can be a cute, slightly-less-trendy mom. Tee hee.
Despite all the wonderful things about this decision, it was definitely a difficult one to make. This has been my first and only full-time job — I’ve been doing it for almost six years, and it has been in the background through many of my major milestones: engagement, marriage, pregnancy, motherhood, two cross-country moves, just to name a few. Plus, it’s a little scary to step away from a nice, regular paycheck at a time when Johnny and I are saving for a house, student loan repayments for Johnny are due to begin, and when the economy is on the rocks (and, it’s also tempting to think about how much we could be earning together!). Not to mention, there’s the whole “but I’m a modern woman who should be able to do it all!” mentality. Then again, for the last two years, we’ve been only living on my salary, and we’ve saved a significant amount of money toward our future down payment, so I’m confident we’ll be able to swing it under the new arrangement. When it comes down to it, my heart is at home, and I can’t deny how much I enjoy running a household. My mom stayed home with us, and I loved it — and she is my ultimate role model for what a mom should be.
So, I am following my heart on this one! Wish me luck as I finish the last couple of months at work, and as I head into the role of full-time mom. I’m sure it holds its fair share of challenges, and I am certain it’s harder work than what I’m doing now. I’m happy to be having a bit of both worlds.
Comments (18)
wow, that’s a big decision and i’m sure jack will be very happy to have his mommy home with him during the day. i’ve contemplated being a SAHM, but we need the double income, and i think i’d go nuts being with them 24/7. of course, i’m partly kidding. they drive me crazy sometimes but sometimes i do wish i had more time with them.
congratulations with your new work arrangement, the memories that you and jack will share will be so worth it.
Congratulations and good luck! I’ve been able to tell how hard it’s been for you to be away from Jack while you’re at work. You really do have the best of both worlds with this arrangement! Superwoman is a myth, and there just are not enough hours in a day to work full time and devote yourself to your family. There can be no doubt that you are a strong, smart, capable woman who can succeed in any career she sets her mind to, but that she thoughtfully chose to use her gifts to raise her son full time instead. Jack is a very lucky boy to have you for a mom.
Congrats Beverly!! I’m SO happy for you and now you will get to spend more time w/ Jack and focus alot of time on him while working as a contractor-that is a big perk!! You will be a great SAHM. Both of my older sisters are SAHM (have been for years now) and they love it!
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Wow, how exciting! Big, big change. Congrats on your decision, and welcome to the world of the SAHM!
Beverly I am thrilled for you! It sounds like everything will work out great, and I know you will love being home with Jack. It’s wonderful that you have a solid plan and will be able to do some work from home! That way you won’t be out of touch if/when you want to go back as well! And I agree with pitter_pat- changing things around does not at all indicate that you “can’t” do it all, you need to be happy and feel well-rounded too! I am really excited for you all! Yay!
Oh my goodness! That is so great! Just think of the positives more often then the negatives. Imagine waking in the morning to his cute little smiles, cuddling all morning, going to the zoo, pool, and more importantly seeing his first steps (which sounds soon!) I’m really happy for you!! And you will always look cute. I think you’d look beautiful in sweats and a hoodie, so I think you are set with being a cute mom either way! I’m so excited for you! Yay!
Congrats Beverly! That’s pretty awesome that your job allows you to do that. I wish it could be like that for me but then again I doubt there’s many stay @ home secretaries lol.
And thanks so much for the good wishes, you won’t believe this but the date is Dec 23rd!
I think its wonderful. It is a big deal and I’m sure you’ve discussed and thought about this a lot before making the final decision. I also know how hard its been for you to be away from Jack. So I think you’ll be happier being home more and still able to bring in some income. You are always a cute and trendy mom:)
Beverly,
I don’t have much time to comment but I wanted to on this post. I know it has been hard for you to make this decision because of the type of person you are. You have successfully managed both worlds for almost a year but it will be so nice for you to be home with Jack and I am sure another little one is in the near future
I thought that as my kids got bigger it would be easier to leave them during the day. I always thought “well someday they will go to school and what would I do during the day”? Now that Grace will start preschool in the Fall, I have new worries…what time will I have to drop her off at school? Will she be eating a healthy breakfast (at home she could have had one)? What time will she be picked up? Will I get to take off to have lunch with her occasionally? And the list goes on and on. To get to my point, I think you have made a great decision. It doesn’t get easier to leave them and I think that because your mom stayed home, she had a great influence on what your purpose is for your life. My mom stayed home with us but we lived on a farm and she did have to do gather eggs and milk the cows…we just went with her and stayed in the crib. I think that is why I strive so hard to do both, because that was my role model and influence. I am very happy for you and know that I will pray for your family and praise God for this gift he has given my friend!
I think it’s so, so awesome that you’ve a been able to make the decision to be home with Jack. I know you’ll be an awesome SAHM – and with the added benefit of keeping your foot in the corporate door and keeping your skills honed.
I feel the same about wanting to be home with the kids (kids!). My step-dad was a bit older and retired by the time he came to live with us so I always had a parent at home after school (or during school if we needed him) and my mum was a teacher so I always had both parents home during holidays and summer vacation. Right now I’m happy to be home until the kids go off to school, but I would love to be in a position like my parents.
Yay! I’m so happy for you
I know this has been a difficult decision for you, but for what it’s worth, I think you made the right one. You are going to love spending so much time with Jack and he’s gonna be doing so many fun things! Plus, it’s great that you’re still going to be able to bring in a little extra cash and that your boss was so willing to work with you on that. Less than 2 months to go 
Beverly, I want to wish you all the best on this journey. I wish I could do the same….I TOTALLY understand where your coming from. Unlike me, you have the opportunity to stay home and be with jack and do everything including “still work” at your convenience. I trully wish both you and Johnny all the best….give jack hugs for me.
Congratulations Bev! It might be scary, but it’s definitely a choice I would’ve made had I been in your shoes. It’s great to know that you are able work on a contracting basis and not have to sacrifice the more important part of your life! My mom raised all of us sewing from home, and I admired her for doing that. YOU can do it! If anything, the fact that you choose to be a SAHM is the epitome of the modern woman, and all that we stand for. We don’t HAVE to be, but we CHOOSE to be! Way to go Bev!
Oh, I’m so happy for you! I wish my arrangement was a little more part time, but I really cannot complain – most of the time I’m able to be flexible about doing my work during naps or the early morning/late evening hours when she’s sleeping. You’ll love it! You’ll be able to tax your brain a little bit on things that aren’t baby related, all the while being able to look over your shoulder at your little one or take a break for playtime. It’s the best, and I’m so happy I was able to set up this arrangement. I would give up anything to be able to continue staying home with Lily. You’re going to LOVE it!
Of course, Jack and Atari will too!!
You’ll also find that those who you are particularly close with at work will continue to keep you updated on all the goings-on in the office, so while you’ll likely miss it a bit, you’ll still feel connected to work in a way.
Yay – this is great news!
I am *SO* happy for you! I think that’s wonderful that you can be a SAHM and keep a little work going on the side! The best of both worlds!!! Congratulations!
We arrived back safely! It was so nice to see you and Johnny again and I will count on you guys keeping your promise for our next dinner get-together! I’m still jetlagged so I’ll keep this short. But I really think you are sooo lucky to have the option of working part-time, and from home no less. I can see why you are a little nervous about it but I am sure you’ll just love the flexibility and autonomy from working part-time. Ah… you have no idea how jealous I am of your new work schedule! I want to be just like you when I grow up! =P
i was a SAHM for maybe 6 mths and i just couldn’t take it. i need to get out!!!!!!!!!!!!! u made a good choice…
Oh my goodness! Congratulations Beverly. I am so excited for you. I know its been so hard over the last year not being home with Jack everyday and being able to work from home will be nice for you as well. I am glad it all worked out!