It’s official. I am a stay-at-home mom.
Oh, sure, I haven’t been to work in about three months. But, technically-speaking, I’m on maternity leave. I could theoretically go back. I didn’t really think that I would, but I liked having the option. Plus, keeping my options open meant that I’d get paid for sick time and short-term disability, so why not take the leave?
However, my time is running short. I’m 12 weeks in to my 16 weeks of leave. My boss called about 10 days ago to ask (in the nicest way humanly possible) if I would give some thought to what my plans were and let him know. No longer could I put off the final decision. So, yesterday I called and told him I would not be coming back to work.
Just like me, he was bummed but not surprised. He obviously knows how much money I make, and though he doesn’t have any kids of his own, he knows that childcare is expensive. For me, I’m not inclined to send my infants to a day care if I don’t have to, even though I know plenty of them are high-quality. And around here, there are six-month waiting lists for the good ones. Not that it’s any more affordable. And a nanny/sitter would run me enough money that I’d likely be paying $50 more than I take home per day. Just so I can have a two-hour round-trip commute so someone else can spend time with my kids? I really did love my job, but I think going back to it right now would just cause me to resent it.
I’ll go back to work at some point, and maybe I’ll be lucky enough to pull off doing part-time when they’re in preschool or something. Or maybe I’ll go so stir-crazy at home with them that I’ll need to find a job so I don’t crack. But for the forseeable future, I’ll be here with my kids. We’ll take classes, have outings with friends, run errands. Maybe I’ll start making dinner more often. Homemaker, housewife, “just a mom.” Domestic Goddess in-progress.
Here we go!
As a sidenote, when I called my boss, both babies decided to have a screaming meltdown. I sure hope that wasn’t foreshadowing on what a bad idea this was…
Good for you! It’s a hard decision to make but it sounds like you’ve made the right one for you. I’m jealous!! You’ve just given up one full-time job for another (more special) one. No matter what anyone says, staying home with the twins IS a full-time job – never let anyone make you feel like it’s not. Just let them try to handle two babies all day every day. My husband did it one day last week and called me hysterical “I can’t do this ever again” – haha! Good luck and HAVE FUN!
Let me just say how envious I am of you. I don’t care if it’s a deadly sin.
I. am. jealous.
I am trying my hardest to squeeze 4 more paid weeks out of my company. I’m going to attempt to take some unpaid leave, but I just don’t know if we can afford it. Sad but true. I once said I’d never again (was home with Peyton for 2 years) be a SAHM/WAHM, but I DO NOT fancy the idea of going back to work and sending the girls to daycare. I am praying my company is going to let me work from home. I’ll hire a nanny.
Hey, good for you! It’s a great idea and the best thing for your babies. I’m at home with twins and 2 more. While sometimes it can be a financial challenge, you’ll make it work because you have to. Enjoy every minute.
Juliet
myhandsarefull.blogspot.com